Discover Bosnia with Sakinah Retreats — a journey through Europe's most underrated Muslim country, where emerald rivers, Ottoman cities, resilient landscapes, and sacred feminine wisdom come together in one unforgettable experience.

This Sakinah Retreat is centred around the theme The Ecology of Womanhood, guided by Ustadha Shakirah Sabira. Together, we'll explore what it means to return to our fitrah as women: to live in rhythm with our bodies, honour our cycles, tend to our inner landscapes, and reconnect with Allah through nature, reflection, and sacred knowledge.

Pack your bags for a soul-stirring Muslim ladies-only retreat through Bosnia & Herzegovina, where Islamic civilisation, breathtaking landscapes, feminine wisdom, and spiritual renewal meet. From the timeless streets of Sarajevo's Baščaršija to the iconic bridge of Mostar, from the stillness of Malak Farm to the waterfalls and valleys of Herzegovina, this journey invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and remember.

Over 9 days and 8 nights, you'll explore sacred spaces and historic masjids, witness the stories of a land shaped by both hardship and renewal, and participate in a series of workshops and reflections that invite you to see yourself not as a machine to be constantly productive, but as a living ecosystem deserving of care, rest, nourishment, and intentional tending.

Bosnia & Herzegovina itself becomes part of the teaching. A country that has endured immense suffering and yet emerged with remarkable beauty, faith, and resilience, it offers a powerful mirror for our own journeys as women — reminding us that healing, renewal, and abundance often begin at the roots.

Alongside a circle of like-minded Muslim women from around the world, you'll experience something increasingly rare: meaningful sisterhood, spiritual grounding, embodied learning, and cultural immersion within a faith-aligned environment.

This retreat is not simply a holiday. It is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with your fitrah, deepen your relationship with Allah, and return home with practical tools, renewed intention, and a more rooted way of living.

We've taken all the guesswork out of travel — from accommodation and halal-friendly meals to prayer stops, guided experiences, private transport, and retreat workshops. All that's left for you to do is book your flights and answer the invitation.

Our Retreat Partner

Local Bosnian Guides & On-Ground Team

Our Bosnia & Herzegovina Sakinah Retreat is delivered in collaboration with trusted local Balkan guides and an experienced on-ground team who understand the region deeply — its history, its Islamic heritage, and its hidden gems. From Old Town walking tours to countryside excursions and Herzegovina’s most breathtaking landmarks, you’ll be supported by local expert guides who bring Bosnia’s story to life with care, depth, and cultural sensitivity.

Arrival & Departure

Arrival: Sunday 11 October – Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ)
Departure: Monday 19 October – Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ)

Exact flight advice will be provided to attendees who are successful in booking their spot on the trip. Please kindly do not book any flights prior to receiving the confirmation email from our team.

Note: Group airport transfers to and from Sarajevo International Airport are included as part of the retreat package. If you plan to arrive earlier, depart later, or fly through another route, we’re happy to advise on transport options.

Retreat Overview

Our Bosnia retreat begins with countryside calm at Malak Farm Retreat — a peaceful base just outside Sarajevo — and then flows into the cultural heart of the country through guided day trips and historic towns. You’ll experience Sarajevo’s Ottoman Old Town, reflect on the city’s war history and resilience, and spend time grounding in nature through farm experiences, hikes, and slow afternoons for rest and journaling.

After six grounding days staying at Malak farm, we journey south into Herzegovina, arriving in the stunning city of Mostar. Here, Islamic history and riverfront beauty unfold through bazaar streets, historic masjids, and the iconic Stari Most bridge. We’ll also explore the region’s most memorable landmarks: the tranquil Blagaj Tekke (a Sufi lodge beneath a cliffside spring), the Ottoman stone village of Počitelj, and the breathtaking Kravice Waterfalls.

This retreat is a balanced blend of guided exploration and spaciousness — with time carved out throughout for prayer, reflection, and sisterhood. Expect moments of awe in Allah’s creation, learning through history, and deep connection through shared intention.

Retreat Theme: The Ecology of Womanhood

This retreat will be guided by renowned teacher and women's wellness educator Ustadha Shakirah Sabira, whose work beautifully weaves together Islamic spirituality, feminine wisdom, and the healing lessons found in nature.

Throughout our journey across Bosnia & Herzegovina, we'll explore the beautiful retreat theme:

The Ecology of Womanhood — an invitation to see ourselves not as machines to be constantly productive, but as living ecosystems that require care, rest, nourishment, and intentional tending.

Bosnia itself becomes part of the teaching. This is a land that has endured immense hardship and yet has rebirthed itself with remarkable beauty, faith, resilience, and ihsān. Through its emerald rivers, fertile valleys, and stories of renewal, we'll reflect on what it means to tend to our own inner landscapes and rediscover the mercy and wisdom embedded within our feminine nature.

Our time together will unfold in two parts:

1. At Malak Farm, surrounded by mountains and countryside stillness, we'll focus on remembering through nature — allowing the land to become our teacher and reconnecting to our cycles, bodies, and fitrah.

2. In Mostar, we'll move into integration — exploring how we carry these lessons of sacred living back into our homes, relationships, and everyday lives.

Through interactive workshops, reflection, herbal tea, nature immersion, and sisterhood, we'll explore themes including:

• The Ecology of Womanhood

• The Sanctity of the Womb

• Life, Death, Life: The Wisdom of Cycles

• Tea as Women's Medicine

• Tending to What Nourishes and What Depletes Us

• Keeping a Wild Heart in an Urban World

This retreat is ultimately an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and remember that just as the land flourishes when tended to with care, so too do our hearts, bodies, and souls.

Meet Our Teacher: Shakirah Sabira

Ustadha Shakirah Sabira is the founder of Barakah's Womb and an internationally recognised teacher in Islamic spiritual womb wellness and feminine healing. Since 2018, she has led retreats and workshops around the world, helping women reconnect with their bodies as places of Divine trust, mercy, and wisdom.

Alongside her healing work, Shakirah studied in Damascus, Cairo, Tarim, and Mauritania, receiving ijazāt in Islamic sciences including hadith, Arabic, and classical texts. She is also the author of The Womb's Tale: The Sanctity of the Womb and Her Cycle and creator of the Ruhaniyat al-Rahim Cycle Chart.

Her teachings weave together Qur'anic reflection, Prophetic traditions, ancestral wisdom, and holistic practices, creating spaces where women can reconnect to their cycles, reclaim sacred rest, and deepen their relationship with Allah through the lens of feminine embodiment. This is second Sakinah retreat we have had the honour of hosting Ustadha Shakirah, the first being our Reviving Sacred Femininity Tuscany Sakinah Retreat held in 2025.

Who Is This Retreat For?

This retreat is for Muslim women aged 18+ from around the world who are seeking:

• A deeper connection with Allah through nature, reflection, and sacred travel.

• To reconnect with their feminine fitrah and live in greater harmony with their natural rhythms and cycles.

• A space to slow down, rest, and step away from the busyness of everyday life.

• Meaningful sisterhood and authentic connection with like-minded Muslim women.

• Healing, renewal, and practical tools for tending to their emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.

• A greater appreciation of Islamic history, resilience, and the beauty of Bosnia's Muslim heritage.

• Personal reflection and gentle transformation in a supportive, faith-aligned environment.

• To return home feeling grounded, nourished, and inspired to live more intentionally.

This retreat is especially meaningful for women navigating a season of change, seeking deeper self-understanding, feeling disconnected from themselves, or simply longing for a journey that nourishes both the soul and the senses.

A moderate level of walking is required, and participants should be comfortable with day trips and travelling by private vehicle for several hours. Please note this trip is not suitable for individuals with existing knee or hip injuries and may involve full days of walking on uneven terrain.

Ready to Book?

Limited spots available as we keep our group sizes small to ensure a high-quality experience for every attendee. Secure your place with a deposit and enjoy flexible, customisable payment plans.

Once registered, you’ll receive detailed guidance on which flights to book, what to pack, and how to prepare for Bosnia in the best way possible.

Payment & Registration

Prices are listed in Euros, and you can pay in your local currency upon checkout. Payment plans can be arranged in up to 4 instalments, and can be customised to suit your needs — just reach out and we’ll make it work, inshaAllah. Final payment is due strictly 45 days prior to departure.

Pre-Retreat Prep

You’ll be invited to a pre-departure Zoom session and added to our WhatsApp group closer to the date for travel support, packing tips, and sisterly connection before we meet in person.

Here Are Some of the Incredible Places You’ll Explore

• Sarajevo Old Town (Baščaršija) – Ottoman marketplace, historic masjids, and Islamic heritage

• Gazi Husref Bey Complex – one of the most significant Islamic landmarks in the Balkans

• Sarajevo War History & Modern City – a powerful lens into resilience and renewal

• Malak Farm Retreat – countryside cabins, slow living, and nature grounding

• Travnik – fortress views, Ottoman town charm, and local cuisine

• Jajce – a dramatic waterfall in the heart of the town + historic wooden mills

• Mostar – Stari Most bridge, Ottoman streets, riverfront beauty

• Blagaj Tekke – cliffside Sufi lodge and spring of serenity

• Počitelj – Ottoman stone village with fortress and panoramic views

• Kravice Waterfalls – Bosnia’s breathtaking natural wonder

Cancellation Policy

Non-Refundable Deposit

• Upon registration, the retreat deposit is strictly non-refundable. This secures essential services and accommodation.

General Refund & Cancellation Terms

• Strictly Non-Refundable Payments: All payments made toward your booking are strictly non-refundable, as we pay vendors and service providers upfront. We are not responsible for additional travel costs or consequential expenses incurred due to cancellation.

• Late Cancellations: Cancellations made 40 days or fewer before the start date are non-refundable in full due to non-recoverable vendor costs.

• Replacement Policy: If you cannot attend, it is your responsibility to find someone to take your spot. Any transfer must comply with our registration terms.

Please carefully review all terms and conditions when booking. By completing your booking, you confirm acceptance of these cancellation and refund terms.

Nestled in the serene countryside just outside Sarajevo, Malak Farm Retreat offers a peaceful sanctuary to begin our Bosnian journey.

Upon arrival at Sarajevo International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred as a group to our beautiful countryside retreat. Surrounded by rolling greenery, fresh mountain air, and tranquil landscapes, this is where we gently transition from the noise of everyday life into stillness.

After check-in, you’ll settle into your charming accommodation and have time to refresh before we gather for a relaxed farm walk and orientation tour — allowing you to become familiar with our surroundings and soak in the natural beauty that will hold us over the coming days.

As Maghrib approaches, we’ll come together for prayer followed by a delicious welcome dinner and dessert. This will be our first evening as a circle - a space to meet your fellow retreat sisters, connect heart-to-heart, and set meaningful intentions for the journey ahead.

🌿 A gentle first night to arrive, breathe, and ground into Bosnia’s embrace.

Our first full day at Malak Farm Retreat is an invitation to slow down and settle into the rhythm of the Bosnian countryside. Surrounded by mountains, forests, and fresh air, we'll begin gently — allowing the land to become our teacher and creating space to arrive not only in Bosnia, but within ourselves.

Today marks the beginning of our retreat theme, The Ecology of Womanhood, with two intimate sessions led by Ustadha Shakirah Sabira.

In our morning session, The Ecology of Womanhood, we'll explore the idea of women as living ecosystems rather than machines — reflecting on nourishment, depletion, rest, and what we may have become too busy or too loud to notice.

We’ll take part in a traditional Bosnian burek cooking class — learning the art behind one of the country’s most beloved dishes — before enjoying the fruits of our labour together.

In the afternoon, we'll gather again for The Sanctity of the Womb, exploring the womb through an Islamic spiritual lens as a place of mercy, creation, intuition, memory, and cyclical wisdom.

Between sessions, enjoy time to wander the grounds, journal, rest, connect with fellow sisters, and simply be present in the beauty and stillness of the farm.

As the sun sets over the Bosnian hills, we'll close the day feeling more grounded, connected, and ready for the journey ahead.

After Fajr prayer and morning adhkar at the farm, we begin the day with a nourishing countryside breakfast before departing for the historic capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina — Sarajevo, located just 1 hour away.

Our guided walking tour begins in the heart of the Old Town, where East meets West in the most striking way. We’ll wander through the cobbled streets of Baščaršija, Sarajevo’s Ottoman-era marketplace, rich with copper crafts, traditional cafés, and centuries-old stories. We’ll visit the Gazi Husref Bey complex and its historic masjids, stand by the iconic Sebilj Fountain, and admire the elegant Austro-Hungarian architecture surrounding City Hall. We’ll also reflect at the site of the assassination that sparked World War I — a powerful reminder of how history shapes nations.

After Zuhr prayer and a relaxed lunch break, we continue exploring war history and modern Sarajevo landmarks, deepening our understanding of Bosnia’s resilience and layered identity. You will enjoy some free time to shop for souvenirs after the tour.

By late evening, we will return to Malak Farm - hearts full from a day of history, heritage, and perspective.

After Fajr, breakfast, and a morning session with Ustadha Shakirah Sabira exploring Life, Death, Life: The Wisdom of Cycles, we'll head out for a guided countryside hike through the rolling landscapes surrounding Malak Farm — an opportunity to breathe deeply, move gently, and witness the lessons of renewal and seasonality reflected in the natural world around us.

Returning to the farm, we'll gather for a nourishing lunch before coming together again for Tea as Women's Medicine, an interactive herbal tea-making workshop exploring ritual, nourishment, and the healing relationship between women and plants.

As the afternoon unfolds, enjoy time for rest, reflection, journaling, or simply soaking in the peace of the Bosnian countryside before we gather once more for dinner, dessert, and evening prayer.

🌱 A gentle day of slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and remembering the wisdom found in cycles, community, and the land.

After Fajr, we depart for a full-day cultural excursion through some of Bosnia’s most picturesque and historically rich towns.

In Travnik, you will have the option to climb the Travnik Fortress known for sweeping panoramic views of the mountains and valley below. We’ll enjoy the town’s famous cevapi before continuing onward.

Our journey leads us to the breathtaking Jajce Waterfall, dramatically set within the town centre — one of the most unique natural landmarks in Europe. We’ll also visit the serene Pliva Lakes and their historic wooden watermills, alongside beautifully preserved Ottoman mosques that echo centuries of Islamic presence in the region.

By evening, we return to Malak Farm for dinner and prayer, reflecting on a day where nature and history intertwined so seamlessly.

After Fajr and breakfast, we check out of Malak Farm and begin our journey south into the Herzegovina region.

We pause in the charming town of Konjic, known for its Ottoman stone bridge arching gracefully over turquoise waters, before continuing toward Mostar. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel and refresh.

In the afternoon, we explore Mostar’s Old Town with a guided tour through its cobbled bazaar streets. We’ll visit the Koski Mehmed Pasha Masjid and take in the iconic Stari Most Bridge — a symbol of resilience, unity, and rebirth after war.

Following Asr prayer, the evening is yours to wander riverside cafés, browse artisan shops, or quietly absorb the beauty of this historic town before Maghrib and Isha.

We begin our discovery tour at the breathtaking Blagaj Tekke — a historic Sufi lodge nestled beneath a dramatic cliffside spring. The setting alone invites reflection, stillness, and remembrance.

After Zuhr prayer and lunch, we continue to Počitelj, an Ottoman-era stone village crowned with a fortress and clocktower overlooking the valley. Its winding steps and panoramic views feel like stepping into another century.

Our final stop is the magnificent Kravice Waterfalls — one of Bosnia’s most stunning natural wonders. Here, cascading waters and lush greenery create a scene of pure awe. We return to Mostar by evening for prayer and free time — carrying the beauty of Herzegovina with us.

We will gather after breakfast for a closing session with Ustadha Shakirah. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Mostar at your own pace. Wander the Old City, sip coffee beside the river, shop for handcrafted keepsakes, visit a museum or sit with your journal and reflect on the week’s journey.

In the evening, we gather for our farewell program and dinner celebration in Mostar — a final moment of shared stories, gratitude, and sisterhood. We close the night with prayer and heartfelt reflections.

🌙 A final evening to honour the bonds formed and the memories created together.

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer as a group back to Sarajevo International Airport for flights departing later that evening.

As we part ways, may the landscapes of Bosnia, the stories of resilience, and the sisterhood we cultivated remain with us long after we return home, InshaAllah.