2nd London - Light upon Light

Volunteer

Pack

Welcome

As-salaamu’alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,

We are very happy to welcome all the volunteers to the Light Upon Light Winter Conference 2023. It is a great honour to have you as a part of this team. We ask Allah to strengthen us and help us all achieve the most we can during this event. We hope that this will be a gathering where Allah is being remembered, Eman is being increased and angels are asking for our forgiveness.

Volunteering is a virtuous act and encouraged in our Faith, Light Upon Light was built upon the hard work and dedication of selfless volunteers, and we believe volunteering can have positive influence on not only the attendees but the volunteers themselves.

Through volunteering, not only are we are able to help the attendees to have a wonderful experience that may be the catalyst to change their life, but we gain so many useful life skills that can support us in other walks of life.

Maybe you’ve benefited from a similar event at some time in your life, or you’ve recently started practising your religion. Volunteering gives you that opportunity to spread that khair and give something back.

As always, thank Allah that you have been given the blessing to be a volunteer and have a love for helping this Ummah. With all great tasks comes a level of responsibility, so be sure to read our etiquettes of volunteering page.

The following pages will give you an insight into the volunteering and key information to make the day a success for us all.

What Is Light Upon Light

Light Upon Light is a UK-based Islamic conference that has its roots in London and is committed to inspiring and uplifting thousands of attendees through interactive and inspirational events. Our humble beginnings started with a single event in London, which featured distinguished guest speakers such as Mufti Menk. Today, propelled by popular demand, we have expanded to hold events on a national scale, reaching a broad audience of individuals seeking spiritual enlightenment and community connection. Our journey of growth and expansion is a testament to the will of Allah and the unwavering support of our community.

Our central objective is to deliver valuable, enlightening events to a wide audience. To achieve this, we invite an array of diverse and world-renowned speakers, promote charitable causes, and collaborate with businesses that resonate with our community values. By facilitating access to such resources and knowledge, we have, by Allah’s grace, positively impacted hundreds of thousands of people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We provide them with opportunities to learn about the orthodox and moderate paths of Islam, encouraging learning, growth, and inspiration in their journey of faith.

Our events are designed to be engaging and interactive, fostering an environment of active learning and personal development. We believe in offering a platform that supports diverse voices and perspectives. Over the years, we’ve been proud to host some of the most esteemed scholars, artists, and sports personalities in the Muslim community. Their contributions have made our events rich with insights and have furthered our mission to inspire and enlighten our attendees, contributing to a deeper understanding of the faith we share and cherish.

Venue Address

Royal Victoria Dock,1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL

The event will take place at the ICC auditorium, located in the East section of the Excel. The closest parking area to the ICC is Zone 3, Orange car park, please note Parking is £25 at Excel and there is no parking in surrounding roads.

The nearest train station is : Prince regent lane DLR, which leads directly into the east entrance of the Excel or Custom House (DLR/QE line) which is on the west side of Excel so 5-7 min walk.

See: https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

EVENT DAY

The day starts with a 9:00 AM registration, all volunteers need to register before being given the HiVis jackets as well as the volunteer Lanyards. The registration table is located outside the ICC capital auditorium hall, within the foyer area. Once you register, you will be given your instructions to join your team leads. Registration closes at 9:30 AM. Those volunteers that come after that point will no longer be able to volunteer on the day.

At 9:30 AM, we will have our volunteer meeting where we’ll go through some of the schedule of the day as well as a reminder of the etiquettes of volunteering and an opportunity for you to meet your teams. We aim to provide some light refreshments between 9-10:45 AM.

Once a meeting is over, we expect team leads to now manage the teams. You will be under supervision of your team leads, working closely to the instructions and getting ready to welcome and register attendees.

Once you’re involved in your roles then during the afternoon your team need will advise you on times when you’ll be given a break, we aim to provide a light lunch while you have in your break.

During the post lunch period volunteers will be involved in assisting in the fundraising event this is a crucial part of the volunteer role and is an amazing opportunity to gain lots of reward and be part of some amazing projects, please review the fundraising page for further details.

The day will carry on under the supervision of your team leaders until the event closes. After the event closes, we expect volunteers to help with the initial pack down then at 8:00 PM sign out. Before leaving, return your HiVis and lanyard to the volunteer registration team.

Insha Allah it’s going to be a great day filled with lots of Salam’s, positive energy, great vibes and reward.

ETIQUETTES

Volunteering is an honourable position but also does need to maintain a level of Islamic mannerism, professionalism, and good conduct. As a volunteer you will be representing Light Upon Light and the values that we stand for, therefore it’s paramount that we maintain the best of behaviour at all times.

Please see below some bullet points to help build your good character whilst volunteering, The aim is for these etiquettes and characteristics to be not just used for the day but hopefully be used in other parts of your life long-term, to benefit you in this world and in the hereafter.

Renewing your intentions throughout the day.
Start with the Islamic greeting As Salam Alaikum , say thank you and Jazak Allah Khairun.
Treat guests as you would like to be treated.
Always seek to help people, especially the elderly, disabled or women and children.
Leave matters that do not concern you, if required, report them to your team leaders to deal with.
Stay away from argumentation and keep smiling and positive.
Know your boundaries as a volunteer by working within the remit that has been given to you by your team leaders.
Do not enter backstage or front stage, or enter presenter and speaker rooms.
Whilst volunteering you may have close contact to some of the speakers and well-known presenters, please do not use the opportunity to take private photos or start dialogue with the scholars, this will be seen as abuse of position. (Please understand that many of the speakers and presenters are on very tight schedules and the times that you may see them are the only times they get to rest or have some personal time, so it’s paramount that we do not interfere but be respectful and carry on with our duties around them.)
Volunteers must refrain from any private filming or reporting of any behind the scenes, as a volunteer we expect that trust from you.
Brothers and sister volunteers must remain vigilant about free mixing and keeping communications within the Islamic guidelines to the best of the abilities.
Volunteers must make sure that they are not missing their prayers throughout the day, brothers and sisters are encouraged to pray in congregation unless they are currently on duty.
If you ever feel out of depth or have any concerns, please refer back to your team leaders if for any reason you would like that to be escalated, feel free to speak to the heads of the volunteering team, who are located at the Volunteer registration table.
One of the key aspects of volunteering on such events is being able to be flexible, dynamic and be able to work closely with team leads. Always hold respect for your team leaders and senior management teams and be willing to following instructions thoroughly

DRESS CODE

Volunteers are required to dress modestly and trying their best to adhere to the Islamic dress code guidance. The event is a great opportunity for brothers and sisters to try Islamic dress code if they normally don’t adhere to it.

Smart Casual: A style somewhere between formal and casual. Not a smart look with a jacket and tie, but also not an overly sporty outfit with trainers, t-shirt and jeans.

Footwear: Clean, comfortable footwear.

Personal belongings: Please note that we do not have a secure location for volunteer valuables (unless you wish to use the venue’s locker system at a cost) we do have a small room where volunteers are able to put personal belongings, but this room will have open Access to all volunteers throughout the day, so avoid bringing any valuables. Purses and wallets must be kept with you throughout the day.

EVENT SET UP

Key Points:

Registration

All attendees must register to receive a wristband before entering the main event. Registration is in the ICC capital hall opposite the auditorium. Everyone who arrives to excel must first make their way to the registration section, where they will be registered via a mobile app, and then be given a wristband. Once a wristband has been received, they can enter the main hall.

Stalls

In the registration hall there will also be a ‘Souk’ Stall area which is open to all attendees, this will be an open area for both brothers and sisters. If any stallholders have any queries or need assistance, please refer them to their stall area manager, which all of them have the number for.

Salaat Area

Also within the registration hall will be the Salaat area rows will be pre-made we will have a brother section and a sister section there will be two Salaat throughout the day in congregation, but attendees are free to pray in the area if needed please see the timetable for Salaat times volunteers must make sure that half an hour before Salaat times they have made Wudhu and are ready to assist with the Salaat for those that are not specifically in the Salaat team and are not given any specific roles at that time we encourage you to pray in congregation with the rest of the attendees for those that are within the Salaat team we request that you pray before the congregation approximately at the beginning time of each Salaat. Your team leader will give the exact times on the day. It’s important for all volunteers to know where the toilets are located, there are no specific Wudhu facilities and toilets will become very busy.

Main Hall

The main hall requires constant supervision. We do have a segregated seating system where the front section will be for brothers and rear sections will be for sisters. It is not permitted for brothers to sit in the sister section or vice versa unless authorized by a team lead due to significant mitigating reasons. Children can be split amongst parents and sit in either section. Children are classed from birth up till 10 years old. We do have a specific area for pushchairs and buggies, and wheelchair users will be also allocated a specific area.

Housekeeping and Security

Any housekeeping or security issues to be directly referred to the venue staff on site. There are a number of staff that are going to be located within the event all have access to the main event management system, so any spillages or housekeeping issues refer to the staff that are located around the area, for any security or safety issues directly refer to the Excel venue staff who will manage the issue, and we will be following their lead, this includes any fire or health and safety issue. There is a first aid team on standby and will be activated via Excel staff

ROLES

WELCOME TEAM-. What is required from you? You will be expected to arrive early to help set up the registration area as well as the main hall, to assist the registration team in welcoming attendees, queue management and helping staff the information point. Duties will include set up of volunteer’s area, attention to health and safety checks, meet and greet, general guidance to participants. This team will also be involved in assisting the fundraising.

REGISTRATION TEAM -. What is required from you? You will be expected to arrive early, help set up and get trained on how to greet and register attendees before they enter the Main Hall. The registration is done via your mobile phones, with the use of an app. This role will require usage of some mobile data and good working order Mobile phone.

MAIN HALL TEAM- What is required from you? You will be involved in the main event, helping manage the seating area, maintaining rows, general stewarding of the seating area, assisting fundraising and security and safety awareness. You will be required to make sure that there are no gaps in between seating, attendees are seated in the correct area, that children are not running around, attendees are not making unnecessary noise and that attendees that need extra assistance are given help and appropriate guidance.

SALAAT TEAM– What is required from you? You will be involved in helping manage the Salaat area, maintaining rows, general stewarding of Salaat area, ensuring Musaleen safety, making sure those that require chairs are provided chairs, helping line up the brothers/sisters during Salaat. Salaat team must know where attendees can make wudhu. You will be able to listen to the lectures and Join Salaat.

MARKETING TEAM – What is required from you? Help implement Eman channels marketing strategy, supporting the marketing team, helping social media pushes and providing administrative support, ensuring all branding and marketing banners and promotion are set up and packed down correctly

FUNDRAISING

CONTACT

Volunteers will be allocated a team lead, and they are your first point of contact.

For anything else, you can contact:

Contact Name: Br Ridhwan

Mobile number: 07914116908

Email address: volunteers@lightuponlight.org.uk

Contact Name: Umm Ruqayah

Mobile number: 07722479586

Guest

Schedule

Volunteer Schedule

Time	Activity
9:00 AM	Arrival of Volunteers
9:30 AM	Volunteer debrief
10:30 AM	Familarisation & refreshments
10:45 AM	In Position

Public Schedule

Time	Activity
11:00am	Doors Open & Registration
12:00pm	IntRoduction
12:05pm	Quran
12:10pm	Lecture 1
12:40pm	Lecture 2
1:05pm	Break Dhuhr & Asr
2:45pm	Introduction
2:50pm	Lecture 3
3:30pm	Lecture 4
4:00pm	Break Maghreb
4:45pm	Introduction
4:50pm	Quran
4:55pm	Lecture 5
5:35pm	Presentation
6:20pm	Lecture 6
7:05pm	Sofa chat
7:35pm	End of event

Gallery

In’sha’allah, Allah makes this easy for you, and you have a wonderful Conference. Thank you once again for your commitment. We look forward to seeing you on the day. Was Salaam Alaikom .