Dar Kayana

Community Code of Conduct, Guidelines & Policies

(Applicable to All Events, Programs, and Spaces)

Dar Kayana meaning “our being” in Arabic, is a space for artistic, cultural, and intellectual creation, a space rooted in dignity, care, accountability, and collective responsibility. This Code of Conduct exists to ensure that all participants, instructors, organizers, volunteers, and guests can engage in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

By attending or participating in any Dar Kayana activity—online or in person—you agree to uphold the following guidelines.

1. Scope & Application

This Code of Conduct applies to all Dar Kayana spaces and activities, including but not limited to:

• Classes, courses, and workshops

• Spiritual, cultural, and community gatherings

• Shared meals and social events

• Meetings, discussions, and online platforms

• All participants, instructors, organizers, volunteers, and guests

2. Core Community Principles

• Respect and dignity are non-negotiable.

• Plurality is welcomed; harm is not.

• Accountability is practiced through care rather than punishment.

• Learning, spirituality, and community engagement occur without coercion, policing, or hierarchy of worth.

3. Respect, Communication & Participation

• Respect each person’s name, pronouns, identity, and boundaries.

• Do not interrupt others; allow space for all voices.

• Be mindful of the space you take when speaking and actively make room for others.

• Ask for clarification rather than making assumptions or judgments.

• Respect differences in opinions, lived experiences, languages, dialects, education levels, and access to knowledge.

• Practice patience, kindness, gentleness, and empathy—especially when mistakes happen.

4. Anti-Discrimination & Inclusion

Dar Kayana maintains zero tolerance for discrimination on the basis of:

• race

• class

• religion or belief

• age

• disability

• ethnic origin or nationality

• sexual orientation

• gender identity or expression

• HIV status

Hate speech, harassment, or demeaning language is strictly prohibited.
Homophobia, transphobia, and any hostility toward LGBTQIA+ communities will not be tolerated.

5. Harassment, Violence & Safety

• Sexual harassment of any kind—verbal, physical, visual, or implied—is prohibited.

• Sexualized comments, jokes, gestures, or unwanted attention are not allowed.

• Violence, threats, intimidation, or aggressive behavior are not permitted.

• Consent, bodily autonomy, and personal boundaries must be respected at all times.

Dar Kayana prioritizes safety and reserves the right to act immediately when safety is compromised.

6. Spiritual, Cultural & Personal Autonomy

Across all Dar Kayana spaces:

• Do not ask private questions about religion, belief, sect, or level of religiosity.

• Do not comment on or interfere with how someone prays—or whether they choose to pray.

• Do not judge, comment on, or police clothing, bodies, or physical appearance.

• Do not ask immigrants or refugees about reasons for migration.

• Do not ask private questions about bodies, surgeries, hormone treatments, or medical histories.

Personal beliefs, bodies, histories, and identities are not open for public inquiry or evaluation.

7. Trauma Awareness & Sensitive Content

• Be aware that participants may carry visible or invisible trauma.

• Notify the group before sharing potentially triggering or sensitive topics.

• Respect people’s right to disengage, step back, or set boundaries without explanation.

Dar Kayana is a space of care, but it is not a therapeutic or crisis-intervention environment.
While compassion and mutual support are central, instructors and organizers are not responsible for providing mental health counseling or emotional treatment.

8. Privacy, Consent & Media

• Do not take photos, videos, recordings, screenshots, or other documentation without explicit consent.

• Respect the privacy and confidentiality of everyone present.

• What is shared within Dar Kayana spaces should not be shared outside the space without permission.

9. Shared Food & Communal Care (When Applicable)

• When events include shared meals or potlucks, mocking, criticizing, or ridiculing food is not tolerated.

• Food is understood as cultural, emotional, and relational.

• If you do not like a dish, you may simply eat your own food without comment.

10. Intellectual Property & Materials

• All materials, content, exercises, and resources are the intellectual property of Dar Kayana and/or the instructor.

• Copying, recording, reproducing, distributing, or sharing materials without permission is prohibited.

11. Participation, Attendance & Responsibility

• Attendance for the purpose of interviews, research, or documentation is not allowed.

• Participants are responsible for their own learning, attendance, and follow-up.

• Instructors are not responsible for lack of progress due to absences, incomplete work, or lack of engagement.

• Dar Kayana is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings.

12. Accessibility & Accommodations

• Dar Kayana is committed to accessibility and inclusion.

• Participants with accessibility needs or accommodation requests are encouraged to contact organizers in advance.

• All requests will be treated with care and seriousness, recognizing that not all accommodations may be possible.

13. Online Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies equally to:

• Online classes and virtual events

• Group chats, emails, and digital platforms

• Social media interactions connected to Dar Kayana activities

The same standards of respect, consent, and accountability apply in digital spaces.

14. Reporting Concerns & Accountability

• If you experience or witness a violation of this Code of Conduct, you may report it to an instructor or organizer.

• Reports will be handled with discretion, care, and confidentiality as much as possible.

• Responses may include conversation, mediation, setting boundaries, removal from the space, or other appropriate actions.

In situations involving serious safety concerns, Dar Kayana reserves the right to take additional steps to protect participants, including contacting appropriate support services if necessary.

15. Enforcement & Consequences

• Dar Kayana reserves the right to ask any individual to leave an event or program immediately if these guidelines are violated.

• Removal from a space does not exempt participants from financial responsibility.

16. Refund & Cancellation Policy

• All fees are non-refundable, except in the case of program cancellation by Dar Kayana.

• No refunds will be issued due to absences, removal for misconduct, or lack of participation.

17. Policy Updates

• This Code of Conduct may be updated as needed to maintain a safe, respectful, and aligned learning environment.

• The most current version applies to all Dar Kayana activities.

18. Agreement to Participate

By participating in Dar Kayana events, programs, or activities, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Closing Statement

Dar Kayana is a space where learning, spirituality, culture, and community meet without coercion, hierarchy, or harm. This Code of Conduct exists to protect collective care, personal dignity, and the possibility of meaningful connection.