"Take advantage of five
opportunities before five other things (that end the
opportunity); your youth before your senescence, your
health before your illness, your wealth before your
poverty, your leisure before your haste, and your life
before you death" - Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him and his family)
Islam is growing at an
incredible rate in the western world. This is largely
been due to the immigration of Muslims to the west and
the introduction of Islam in remote parts of the world.
Islam is truly a universal religion and a complete way
of life. There is no separation of state and church in
Islam as every Muslim seeks to please and serve only
Almighty Allah (SWT).
The Islamic
Humanitarian Service based in Kitchener, Ontario,
has strived to serve Allah (SWT) and human beings in the
name of Islam for over a decade. In continuation of its
legacy of serving Muslims in the West, the Islamic
Humanitarian Service initiated the position of the
National Youth Coordinator (NYC) in February
2000. The NYC office has established a national youth
network by the name of the Muslim Youth Association (MYA).
The goals of the association are: to promote unity
amongst Muslims, to engage youths in the propagation of
Islam, and to promote youth involvement in Islamic
initiatives.
The MYA will
consist of various sub-groups overlooking issues such as
Media, Peer Mentorship, Discussions/debates, Reverts to
Islam, Current Events, Marriage Counseling, Literature
Review, Career Counseling, Disaster Relief, Graduate
Registry etc. MYA is not limited by geographical
or cultural boundaries and thus it is an organization
that welcomes all Muslim youths, regardless of
background.
Muslims have settled in
the West for a number of decades, and it now time to
plan for sustainability of the future generations of
Muslims. Thus, in light of the above tradition of Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family), the
office of the MYA will, Insha-Allah embark
upon numerous projects geared towards the spiritual and
intellectual development of the youths and young
generation. The MYA website will feature Book
Reviews, News Bulletins, Events, Contests, Awards, the
Fortnightly Gift, and numerous other online resources.
At this point the MYA
is in its infancy stages and thus we require your input
and support. Volunteers with different expertise are
required across the country. Also, MYA is
accepting nominations for MYA Representatives in
different cities. If you think you have the leadership
skills and dedication it takes to make a different in
your local or regional community, please get in touch
with us via email: Muslim Youth Association
zkarim@muslimyouth.ca. We would love to get you
involved!
The opportunities and
potential for Muslims in the West are infinite. It is
the responsibility of all Muslims in this part of the
world to become active in the propagation of Islam. We
hope that the Muslim Youth Association can trigger this
propagation and facilitate the establishment of a
comprehensive network progressive Muslims in Canada and
the Western world.
The Islamic
Humanitarian Service has ignited something very
special, and it is for us, the future of the Muslim
Community, to take the torch and kindle the passion of
Islam in the hearts of humanity in preparation for the
coming messiah, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten
his return).
Muslim Youth
Association :
zkarim@muslimyouth.ca
Muslim Youth
Association Web Site :
www.muslimyouth.ca
