Youth program

Complete Youth Program


	Friday December 24th
2:30 pm-3:30 pm	Opening Session:Lend a Hand, Help Light the Way
	Mas Youth Chicago Director Raed Abusuwwa and Young Muslims Chicago Director Eric Bhaimia
	“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity”. -Surah Al-Imran (The Family of Imran), Verse 104 By accepting Islam, we have accepted the unique responsibility of nurturing humanity. We each struggle to submit to sacred guidance so that, as a community, we are an inspiration to the world. We begin this year’s youth program with a question: do you intend to lend a hand and help light the way?

3:45 pm-4:45 pm	Team Building Activity
	Youth Committee
	"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided..” Surah Al-Imran (Family of Imran), Verse 103 Do you want to meet new people, practice your teambuilding skills and have some fun? Join us for this interactive session and connect with your brothers and sisters!

5:15 pm-6:15 pm	A Fine Line: Balancing Cultural & Religious Identities
	Imad Bayoun and Omar Atia
	“O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware.” Surah Al-Hujarat (The Dwellings), Verse 13 The companions of the Prophet came from different corners of the globe and were united by their love for God and His Messenger. Far from causing difficulty and disagreement, it was this diversity that strengthened the bonds of the early Muslims. Today, it is important for us to appreciate this same diversity in our own community and as we interact with the wider world while remaining committed to Islam. How do we balance our cultural and religious identities as American Muslims?

7:45 pm-9:15 pm	Spiritual Survival in a Consumer Culture
	Bilal Ali and Zaid Shakir
	“Believers, do not let your wealth and your children distract you from remember God: those who do so will be the ones who lose." -SurahAl-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites), Verse 9 As consumerism increasingly becomes a part of our everyday lives in this globalized world, we often find that our spiritual growth takes a back seat to our materialistic pursuits. Where are your priorities and are you willing to refocus your ambitions?
	Saturday December 25th
10:00 am- 11:00 am	Day of Judgement Part 1
	Dr. Imad Bayoun
	“Verily, in all this there are messages indeed for those who can read the signs.” Al Hijr (The Rocky Tract), Verse 75 In this session, the major and minor signs of the Day of Judgment will be discussed and explained in depth.

11:15 am-12:30 pm	Day of Judgement Part 2
	Sh. Kifhah Mustapha
	“What you are promised is sure to come, and you cannot escape.” Surah Al-An’am (The Cattle), Verse 134 In this session, the reality of what will happen to us when we die and the events that will take place on the Day of Judgment will be discussed and explained in depth.

2:30 pm-3:30 pm	ON OUR OWN TERMS: Muslim Youth Speak Out
3:45 pm-4:45 pm	Khalilah Sabrah and Omar Attia
	Everyone's talking about the Muslim youth, but is anyone listening? Many times people hear this common phrase: "We must start doing things for the youth. They are our future!" The interesting thing is, rarely does anyone ever get to hear what a Muslim Youth has to say in an open forum. Do you want to be heard? What changes would young Muslims like to make and challenges do they fear most of all? Join the discussion, share ideas and discuss issues you face as a Muslim youth.

5:15 pm-6:15 pm	In Search of a Soulmate
	Sh. Kifhah and Amal Ali
	“..They are as a garment for you, and you are as a garment for them..” Surah Al-Baqarah(The Cow), Verse 187 (partial) Choosing a spouse is perhaps the most important decision a person will make in their lifetime. It’s essential that we know what qualities we’re looking for in a spouse and that our search is guided by the wisdom of the Qur’an and the Prophetic example. What are the appropriate methods when searching for a soulmate?

7:45 pm-9:15 pm	Indestructible: Love for Allah’s Book & His Messenger
	Arif Hussain, Yusuf Estes, and Sh. Kifah
	This session seeks to respond to the bigotry that has recently been expressed toward Islam, the Qur’an and the legacy of Rasulullah. Despite the attacks being made both in words and actions, the position of Allah, His Book and His Messenger remain high in the hearts of the Muslims. Our love for Muhammad and the Qur’an is not theoretical; we demonstrate our commitment through practice and application. Therefore, an offensive drawing of Muhammad or the burning the Qur’an’s pages does not affect our unshakable faith and unwavering love.
	Sunday December 26th
11:15 am-12:30 pm	Lead Yourself & the World Will Follow (Workshop)
	Hossam Al Jabri and Safaa Zarzour
	“Each of you is a shepherd and each of you will be questioned concerning his flock.” -Bukhari & Muslim. Throughout our lives, we will find ourselves in positions of leadership, whether we sought them or accepted them reluctantly. It is then necessary for each of us to develop within ourselves the qualities of a God-conscious leader as defined by the Qur’an and Prophetic example. This workshop seeks to share methods for developing leadership skills within yourself and the people around you.
11:15 am-12:30 pm	Trolley Tour of Chicago: Say, [O Muhammad], "Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent." Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider), Verse 20 Join your brothers and sisters on a tour of the beautiful city of Chicago. The best way to see the city is from a trolley! Please meet at 9:45 am in Grandballroom B and C. We will leave promptly at 10 am inshallah.



2:30 pm-3:30 pm	Islamophobia: Modern Diagnosis & Prophetic Treatment
	Altaf Hussein
	“The messenger of God is an excellent model for those of you who put your hope in God and the Last Day and remember Him often.” Surah Al-Ahzab (The Joint Forces), Verse 21 As Western Muslims, we must be able to differentiate between a curious neighbor, a confused co-worker and a hostile classmate. Islamophobia is not a modern challenge and context is crucial in its diagnosis. How did Rasulullah respond to the many voices in his community?

3:45 pm-4:45 pm	Reclaiming Fatherhood, Redeeming Ourselves
	Edmund Arroyo
	"The best gift from a Father to his child is education and upbringing." -Tirmidhi Many would argue that the male role in Western society is being increasingly threatened. Fatherhood is becoming more challenging as generations of young men are growing up with a broken relationship with their fathers if they have a relationship at all. As young adults, do we understand the gravity of this crisis and what are some ways we can take initiative in developing a healthy male identity within our own families?

5:15 pm-6:15 pm	Youth Debate: Should Park 51 Be Built 2 Blocks Away from Ground Zero?
	Hamed Ghazali, Sharif El-Gamal
	“Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” Surat An-Nahl (The Bee), Verse 125 The debate about a masjid being built two blocks from Ground Zero has been a heated one to say the least. Join us in a forum where you can share your views on the issue as well as consider the views of your brothers and sisters. The debate will conclude with remarks from Sharif El-Gamal, the New York real estate developer behind the Park51 project. Renew your intention, remain humble and remind yourself to argue in ways that are best and most gracious.

7:45 pm-9:15 pm	Live as a Luminary
	Omar Attia, Abdul Sattar Ahmed
	“People, convincing proof has come to you from your Lord and We have sent a clear light down to you.” Surah An-Nisa (The Women), Verse 174 As this year's convention draws to a close, we must evaluate our experiences and contemplate all that we have absorbed. There are a many things that we could have been doing during the past few days; many places we could have been. However, we spent our time here, remembering Allah and connecting with our community. The knowledge we have gained and inspiration we have been blessed with is an amana and we will be held accountable for how these experiences influence our actions as we head home. Are you prepared to bear this torch and live as a luminary?