Photo: Dr Zuleyha Keskin (right) with event facilitator Ustadh Ahmet Ozturk (left). Photos courtesy of Mehar Ahmad.
The ISRA Sydney Centre in Auburn was flourishing with warmth, reflection and community spirit on Monday night 5 May 2025 as a full house gathered to celebrate the launch of Dr Zuleyha Keskin’s new book, Your Journey to Inner Peace: One Step at a Time.
The event marked a milestone for the respected academic, providing attendees with a preview into a deeply personal and insightful work which blended Islamic teachings with practical guidance for modern life.
Facilitated by Ustadh Ahmet Ozturk and MC’d by writer Naima Ibrahim, the evening opened with sincerity and purpose.
In Your Journey to Inner Peace, Dr Keskin draws from the Qur’an and Sunnah to explore how aligning one’s heart and actions with Allah can nurture resilience, calmness and meaning. It’s a text that reflects her own spiritual journey, one of soul-searching, reflection and surrender.
As she noted during the event, this is “unlike anything I’ve written before,” with her own growth as much a part of the book as its scholarly foundations.
The launch brought together a diverse audience, students, long-time friends, volunteers and community members of all ages which created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many of Dr Keskin’s current and former students attended, visibly moved by her words and presence.
ISRA volunteers ensured that the evening ran smoothly, greeting guests with smiles and offering refreshments.
The vibe was elevated further by the thoughtful hospitality, including a surprise custom-made cake that featured the book’s cover, an elegant and heartfelt gesture from the organising team which brought a smile to Dr Keskin’s face and joy to the room.
A highlight of the night was the Q&A session, where guests posed deeply reflective questions. One of the most resonant questions came from an attendee who asked, “Is there some wisdom you would like to impart given the global circumstances we see that affect many people’s inner peace?”
Dr Keskin offered a grounded and empowering response:
“I find that balance between having that awareness, doing what we can… but not overexposing ourselves to those things. I’m a big believer in the circle of influence—where we do what we can in our circle of influence. There’s a good feeling that comes with that as well. We feel… and at the end of the day, that’s all we can do. Circle of influence is there because that’s what we can influence, and we can have a positive impact on what’s around us. So, I think that really keeps me going.”
This perspective resonated with many in the room, offering a hopeful and practical approach to navigating global uncertainty while maintaining a grounded sense of inner peace. The evening closed on a high note, with guests lining up to get their copies signed, engage in conversation, and express heartfelt thanks.
Dr Zuleyha Keskin is a well-known academic and co-founder of ISRA Australia. Her contributions to Islamic education and spiritual development have made her a trusted voice in the community, and Your Journey to Inner Peace is a testament to her dedication to helping others walk a meaningful path.
The book is now available in both paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon and is already being praised as a timely and relevant guide for anyone seeking to nurture their spiritual wellbeing.
Have you had the chance to read Your Journey to Inner Peace yet?
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