The Importance of Muslim Youth Organizations In North America
I Recently wrote an article for the mirror international newspaper about the importance of muslim youth organizations in north america…read on.
The Importance of Muslim Youth Organizations in North America
By Saad Ahmad
In this day and age, almost every individual has heard about Islam, whether it is from the news, newspaper, or from the internet, we see it being talked about at different mediums but clearly the image has been distorted. Living in the west the misconceptions of Islam have ultimately reflected upon the truth and eventually that truth has been mirrored off the lifestyle of Muslims living here and of course around the world. In these challenging and troubled times, through the trials and tribulations, it’s our duty to hold steadfast on the rope of Allah (swt) and inshallah be strong in our iman and understand our vital responsibility in our everyday practices so the image of Islam is positive and our dawah efforts are effective. Of course in every society and in every organization success doesn’t come about accordingly unless it has great leadership and of course the support of its members.
Much work must be done to revitalize the message of Islam and collective responsibility from all Muslims must be considered. We all have heard over our lives from our parents and from elders whom we respect that “the youth are the leaders of tomorrow” and essentially they are the driving force to the contribution of making a better society. Of course there is no individual to look towards to for the best example than our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s), we have learned from studying his life that he was ultimately a mercy to mankind and beyond. His miraculous lifestyle showed success in every aspect of leadership. Prophet Muhammad (s) unique communication and leadership style led to the spread of Islam, not only within Arabia but also outside to the north, south, east, west and southwest of Arabia. As a leader during wartime or as a leader during peacetime, Prophet Muhammad proved to master skillful techniques with which he accomplished his goals in delivering the message of Islam. If we don’t look to revive the Sunnah then we can never expect a change to come about in the society we live in. In United States of America, we have many opportunity’s to take advantage, the best resources all at our fingertips, we should remind ourselves that while our Muslim brothers and sisters suffer on the other side of the world, we should do the best we can to spread Islam and practice it peacefully because Alhumduillah, Allah (swt) has let us.
As a Muslim youth born and raised In America, I have witness the influences of society which have driven our Muslim youth away from Islamic work. In order to counter these effects, it is essential that we give our adolescents a strong foundation from which to grow. If we don’t recognize the importance of Muslim Youth Organizations and their efforts then we won’t ever recognize the importance of our children’s and their Islamic future. One organization I personally I was introduced to at an early age was Young Muslims and in all honesty it has changed my life.
Young Muslims is a pioneering national youth organization that has been on the youth scene since the early 90’s. They have established a well organized network of local youth groups that are called Neighbor Nets (which means network of neighbors) across the United States and Canada. Each Neighbor Net is a dynamic youth group which attempts to build a solid understanding of the principles of Islam amongst its members by helping them put these principles into practice. By providing the youth with an Islamic atmosphere where they can form bonds of brotherhood with their peers, they become comfortable with Islam and its teachings. The organization stresses the importance of knowing, understanding, and fulfilling our individual and collective obligations as Muslims. One wise saying I was told from a member of Young Muslims was “live your life as you were to die today, but plan as if you were to live forever”.
Young Muslims organization provides a vast variety of services for Muslim youth living in America. Besides its educational approach, throughout the year, it also in addition holds many events. These events are held throughout multiple states consistently over the year and the gatherings provide a fun and most importantly a halal environment. Including barbecues in the summer, to sports events, that attract youth, to Welcome Ramadan programs, to camps, to softball games, to helping the community out by cleanup days, basically a variety of programs. Young Muslims provides positive outlets for anything the youth have in mind.
One of the main highlights of events which Young Muslims the organization holds every year on a national level, is there Youth Conference, This conference is Parallel with the Annual ICNA – MAS convention which attracts thousands of Muslims, In this conference prominent Muslim speakers including scholars, activists, and other well known Muslims come and give lectures, and help create a successful conference. In addition to the conference there are workshops, a midnight basketball tournament, entertainment sessions which include famous Muslim artists in entertainment and sessions which talk about relevant Islamic issues and topics to help educate the Youth. Overall the Young Muslims organization provides a unique learning experience over the year through different methods and collectively contributes to provide attractive and effective dawah. Young Muslims also provides consulting services, one of the responsibility’s of the organization is to look after its members and help them progress in every aspect of there life.
By the help of Allah swt the organization has progressed, and Inshallah it will continue to do so, what we need to understand is while we are young and healthy, we should remind ourselves that we have been given these luxuries from Allah swt and if we don’t submit completely for the expansion of Islam and of course for the sake of Allah swt then we will be accountable for it on the day of judgment. Our whole life should always be concerned with our Islamic work in the physical and spiritual aspect, after we go, the next generation will Inshallah will carry the touch of Allah swt. Lets strive to make our impression on this fading world more effective, Ibn al-Shakheer said: “The goodness of a deed is related to the goodness of the heart, and the goodness of the heart is related to the goodness of the intention.” Furthermore, Ibn al-Qayyim (rh) said: “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes and fears, and failure comes to them in like manner.”