Feb 10, 2026
The International Conference on Religion and Mental Health: Critical Discourses on Healing, Ethics, and Care, held on 7 February 2026 at Ibn al-Haytham Academy, Kerala, marked a significant academic engagement. The conference created a critical space to examine dominant psychological and biomedical frameworks of mental health, with particular attention to their racialized, exclusionary, and Islamophobic dimensions. At the same time, it foregrounded ethical, religious, social, and community-based understandings of suffering, healing, and care, opening meaningful dialogue with faith-centered practices and alternative knowledge traditions beyond the limits of mainstream paradigms.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Tarek Younis (Middlesex University, UK), held an insightful online conversation with our faculty member, Ladeeda Farzana, which greatly enriched the program. Shamoly Hoque, a UK-based trauma-informed practitioner working among Black and Brown communities, also shared valuable reflections.Their contributions deeply enriched the program.
Zainab Amal, an independent researcher and registered therapist based in the UK, conducted the pre-conference workshop and played a significant role in conceptualizing this event. We also express sincere gratitude to several UK-based researchers and scholars engaged in this field of discourse. Their promotion, outreach, and support helped the program reach many well-known participants.
The conference consisted of six sessions, including the inaugural session, keynote sessions, three paper-presentation sessions, and the valedictory session.
Participants and paper presenters joined from various institutions, including Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Shanthapuram, Tanshia Islamic Academy, Southern School of Advanced Studies Calicut, Aliya Arabic College, Women's Academe, and Wiras College. Paper presenters also included Assistant professors,PhD scholars,and UG-PG students from universities such as EFLU Hyderabad, Delhi University,the University of Kerala,Safa College,Saint Saviours Arts and Science College,Kozhikode,and others.We sincerely acknowledge the supporting institutions, including Ideal College Uliyil,and St. Joseph Pilathara.
We extend heartfelt thanks to the session chairs and distinguished guests. Special appreciation is extended to Dr. Sadique PK (Principal, MediaOne Academy), Shameer Ali Hudawi (Assistant Professor, Darul Huda Islamic University), Azhar Ali (PhD Scholar, Shiv Nadar University), and Adv. Rashid, author, writer, and Assistant Director of CSR Kerala, for gracing the occasion. We also express our sincere gratitude to Er. Muhammed Riyaz, Director of Wiras College, and Dr. Aboo Ishaq, Principal of Wiras College, whose presence meant a great deal to us.
The conference was inaugurated by VK Hamsa Sahib, Chairman of Wadihuda Group of Institutions, who spoke on the importance of mental health in the Qur'an and in the life of believers.We were truly inspired by the felicitations of SAP Abdul Salam, Managing Director of Wadihuda Group of Institutions, and Alikutty K, Director of Ibn Al-Haytham Academy.
Finally, we express our deepest appreciation to the students and staff of Ibn Al-Haytham Academy. Their dedication, planning, and collective effort in conceptualizing and organizing the conference made this event possible.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this conference.
Ibn al Haytham Academy
