Our Muslim youth

by Fateen Seifullah

Every year during the Month of June, I prepare to meet an obligation that was made in 2005 with Abdul Aziz.  Abdul Aziz is a former resident of Las Vegas.  Abdal Aziz and his family  while residing in Las Vegas established a youth camp in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The camp takes place in a community known as Darl Islam, complete with a Masjid and school sitting on 1300 acres.  This village like-community was established by white converts in the 70’s.

Every year I dread going and every year I think this is my last year only to recommit after spending just a few days with our youth. 

Muslim youth, we read about and hear about their challenges.  Their uncertain about Islam, living as though on the brink of disbelief.   They discuss social challenges, like their desire to attend proms, parties and they want to know why they can’t have girlfriends and boyfriends.  These stories are so common that they make us forget the good youth. We forget to discuss and highlight our youth accomplishments.  What about their survival in public schools with their Islam in-tack. 

Recently I attended one of our community youths high school graduation.  We listened and watched as youth with Muslim names crossed the stage to receive their diploma.  However, my wife and I were thoroughly amazed and excited to see this young sister whom we watched grow up step across the stage in Khimar.  I am sure that during the course of four years in the High School she went thru phases where she questioned whether she wanted to wear Khimar.  Who knows, maybe she took it off at some point, but what we witnessed was her final act as a high school student in Khimar.  May Allah bless her, strengthen her resolve and grant her success in this life and the next.

Now, back to the youth camp in New Mexico, one of the young sisters, Khadijah begin wearing Khimar at the youth camp and has recently gotten married.  Some of the youth return home and begin praying five times a day.  These youth are so sincere, in fact there sincerity maybe what I appreciate the most.  They admit that they don’t pray at home with any regularity but by the time they leave they make commitments to begin praying more.  May Allah help them and make it easy for them.

This year I heard of a different challenge, this one requires input from all readers.  Nice, decent, praying, practicing Muslims who claim that they are more comfortable with non-Muslims than they are with Muslim.  That would not be surprising if we were referring to Muslims on the brink.  But we are talking about youth who love Islam, who practice Islam, who read the Quran and are familiar with Hadith.  What could it be.  Please share some input.

Lastly Masjid Jamia is hosting a youth camp that is being coordinated by the newly established Muslim Alliance of Nevada.  That’s right! it is official, we are recently incorporated.  This camp and our youth will need volunteers, especially for our young sisters and financial support for food and sponsorship.

Please contact Dr. Aslam at 702 433 – 3431 or Imam Fateen at 702 647-2500.

Fateen Seifullah is the Imam of Masjid as-Sabur, he can be reached at VegasMasjid@aol.com

Comments

[Usman]

Salaam, I can relate to the young Muslims who love their faith, but feel more comfortable around non-Muslims. Muslims need to realize that being Muslim for namesake is not enough. Unfortunately, hypocrisy, prejudice and other bad characteristics are rampant among the Muslim communities and turn everyone away from them. Good character can be found among people of every faith, including people of no faith. Since we are a social creature, we gravitate to what we like and feel more comfortable with. In this case where Muslims who are sincere about pleasing God find good company among people who are more honest and have better character than people that claim to be Muslims. Of course this is not the rule but an assessment of some of the frustrations young Muslims are facing.

[Muslimah]

ASA,
I know it sounds cliche` but the youth truly are the future, and they need more support and encouragement. Imam, your commitment to the youth is an example for us all.