KY Academy Presents
ASCENT
Rethinking the
Higher Self
In the Modern World
A journey through Pakistan,
with Mohammed Isaaq
Great ideas. Timeless landscapes. Lasting impact.
The Invitation
"Elevate your selfhood so high that, before every decree,
God Himself asks you: tell me, what is your wish?"— Allama Muhammad Iqbal
Ascent is not a tour. It is a deliberate retreat from noise into meaning — nine days designed to help you rediscover clarity, conviction, and the quiet strength of your higher self.
Through ancient cities, mountain silence, and guided reflection, we rise to discover who we are beneath the hurry of modern life.
Great ideas. Timeless landscapes. Lasting impact.
The Route
Four Movements of One Journey
Each stop is a shift in rhythm — from the weight of history to the warmth of the table, from the discipline of thought to the clarity of the heights.
Lahore
We begin where empires and poets once met. In the shadow of the Badshahi Mosque, among the marble and sandstone of Mughal Lahore, the past ceases to be a story and becomes a mirror — asking who we are in the long arc of human seeking.
Gujrat
A single night at Ghaus-e-Yagana slows the world down. Under the guidance of long-term friend Syed Israr ul Hassan, we are welcomed into a place of spiritual significance and warm Punjab hospitality. Morning walks through village lanes, conversations over fresh country food, and village activities that open a window onto real rural Pakistani life. This is not a hotel stay — it is an evening among people, land, and legacy.
Islamabad
Between the ordered avenues of the capital and the quiet rise of the Margalla Hills, we turn inward. Guided sessions and open dialogue create space to examine the self — the values we hold, the purpose we carry, and the patterns that shape our days.
Nathia Gali
The journey closes in the cool pine air of the Galiyat. Above the noise, the mountains become both teacher and witness — evenings gathered around a fire, morning mist through the pines, and the rare silence that lets a new intention take root.
The Study
The Thinker of the East,
With an Eye on the West
At the heart of Ascent is a sustained study of Allama Muhammad Iqbal — his life, his thought, and his extraordinary reading of the modern world. Daily sessions with Mohammed Isaaq trace how Iqbal answered the questions of his century, and how his call to selfhood, conviction, and creative action speaks to ours.
A special focus falls on Iqbal's Shikwa andJawab-e-Shikwa — the complaint and the reply. Together they form one of the most daring psychological and philosophical journeys in Islamic literature: a human being who speaks to the Divine with radical honesty, and the response that reawakens purpose, dignity, and agency. We explore what these poems reveal about faith, frustration, identity, and the courage to demand more from ourselves in the modern world.
We read him where he lived: in the courtyards of Lahore, at his resting place beside the Badshahi Mosque, and in the quiet of the mountains where his verse is easiest to hear.
- Exclusive classes on the life, thought and legacy of Iqbal
- A dedicated study of Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa — the complaint, the reply, and the psychology of the modern soul
- Discussions on navigating tradition, meaning and identity in the contemporary world
- Visits to Iqbal's resting place and the heritage of Mughal Lahore
Retreat Highlights
Moments You Will Not Forget
A Private Qawwali Night with BBQ
An authentic, traditional qawwali evening held privately for our group — an unforgettable night celebrating the poetry of the great saints of the Punjab, performed as it has been for centuries, and paired with a private barbecue: open fires, slow-cooked Punjabi grills, and long conversation that runs late into the evening.
A Night at Ghaus-e-Yagana
One night at an authentic Punjab darbar in Gujrat, hosted by long-term friend Syed Israr ul Hassan. Rest in a place of spiritual significance, share food fresh from the surrounding land, join village activities, and walk the Punjab countryside at dawn — a rare chance to be with locals rather than simply pass through.
Mughal Lahore & the Walled City
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Masjid Wazir Khan, the Shahi Hammam, Delhi Gate and the hidden streets and bazaars of the old city, with experienced local guides.
Fireside Evenings in the Mountains
In Nathia Gali, the cool mountain evenings become a space for fireside reflection — stories, poetry, and conversation beneath the pines, far from the noise of ordinary life.
Visits to the Sacred Shrines of the Punjab
Walk in the company of giants: the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal beside the Badshahi Mosque, the shrine of the great Punjabi poet-saint Bulleh Shah, and the resting place of Ali Hujwiri (Data Ganj Bakhsh), the notable saint whose presence has shaped Lahore for nearly a thousand years.
Your Guide
Mohammed Isaaq
Mohammed Isaaq is the founder of Claritas Universal and the Knowing Yourself programs. A self-development specialist and educator, he was raised in Birmingham, UK, and pursued postgraduate education and further studies in Morocco, Jordan, and Yemen.
After graduating in Islamic Psychology from the Cambridge Muslim College, he returned to the UK in 2017. He now teaches Islamic Psychology and Traditional Medicine programs, alongside community projects, across the globe — reaching over 45,000 participants in more than 50 countries.
"The self is not found by looking harder, but by creating the silence in which it can be heard."
Investment
Reserve Your Place
A single investment covers the full journey. No hidden costs. No optional add-ons. Just nine days of focused presence.
Early Bird
GBP per person
Shared accommodation in 5-star hotels. A limited number of single rooms are available for an additional fee.
Reserve My SpotSpots are limited. A non refundable deposit secures your place.
What is included
- 8 nights in 5-star hotels
- One night at Ghaus-e-Yagana, an authentic Punjab darbar in Gujrat — rest, village activities, and food fresh from the land with our hosts
- A private traditional qawwali night with a private BBQ
- Exclusive classes on Iqbal, including Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa
- Daily breakfast & dinner
- Ground transport across Pakistan
- Daily sessions with Mohammed Isaaq
- Guided heritage visits
- Mountain reflection retreat with fireside evenings
Flights to and from Pakistan are not included. Visa assistance is available upon request.
Common Questions
Before You Ascend
Most travelers require a visa. We provide invitation letters and step-by-step guidance once you confirm your place.
Comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for heritage sites, layers for cool mountain evenings, and an open mind. A full packing list is sent after registration.
Ascent is open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. We draw on wisdom traditions, poetry, and philosophy as mirrors for the self, not as doctrine.
Many participants do. The retreat is designed to foster meaningful connection, whether you arrive with friends or by yourself.
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