By Misbahuddin Mirza

Nov/Dec 2024

The light drizzle had cleansed the air enough to allow the rising sun to brighten up the sky into a fairytale blue. A steady stream of vehicles packed with enthusiastic sports contestants, along with their families and friends, streamed into the grounds of St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, N.J. The borough, located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region within the New York Metropolitan area. is a commuter town of New York City. 

Smoke rose from the BBQ grills firing up to grill kababs and burgers. Parents lined up to buy their early morning coffee while volunteers directed participants and teams toward their venues. 

Electronic display screens, timers, equipment, and umpires were ready and waiting to start the games exactly on schedule. Salaudeen Nausrudeen, founder and president of the Islamic Games of North America, constantly walked around calmly between the various hosting locations. The Uzbek teams appeared to be winning all the martial arts medals. Girls from all over the world competed vigorously in events from basketball to track & field and to taekwondo, and boys’ teams competed in games from soccer, basketball, volleyball, and football to martial arts.

Teams from New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Delaware, and Massachusetts participated. Held on June 8-9, this event featured 32 basketball teams, 71 soccer teams, 12 volleyball teams, 8 cricket teams, and 12 flag football teams, all of which competed fiercely to win trophies and medals. There were individual events for males and females in table tennis, martial arts, track (100, 200, and 400 meters), pickleball, fitness course, arm wrestling, and other categories.

Nausrudeen, a Guyanese native, grew up in New York City and currently lives in Orlando. An avid fitness enthusiast, he rides 75 miles per week and is involved in weekly basketball and fitness training events. During his high school years in New York, he started “Mujahid,” one of the first organized Muslim basketball teams that traveled across North America to participate in tournaments and build connections with communities and athletes. 

Inception of Islamic Games

In 1989, he created the Islamic Games to provide a platform for Muslim athletes to meet, compete, learn, and celebrate each other. In 2006, the Islamic Games was rebranded and relaunched in New Jersey, where male and female athletes of all ages participate annually.

He says that sports are halal, healthy, and encouraged in Islam. The development of sports programs, leagues, academies, and teams in Muslim communities across North America revealed a need to develop a platform that would bring them all together to showcase athletes and teams and to celebrate their accomplishments. 

According to Nausrudeen, “The Islamic Games today has grown to an event that is beyond the athletic skills. It is a grand display of diversity and unity with more than 40 different nationalities, 30 Muslim schools, 5,000+ male and female athletes of all ages, 400+ teams, 200+ events, 1,000+ games, and 200+ partners in four cities across the USA and Canada.” 

The participants in these New Jersey games were natives or descendants of natives from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Guyana, Indonesia, Bosnia, Uzbekistan, Somalia, Sudan, Egypt, Palestine, Kenya, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria and Afro- and Latino-Americans. This year, the Islamic Games were held in Dallas, Chicago, and Brampton (Canada).

A team of directors and event managers, as well as about 80 volunteers, manage the event, which costs each location $75,000+ to host. These expenses are primarily met through sponsorship, registration, and other fees.

Talking about these challenges, Nausrudeen says there was a dearth of sponsorship from Muslim companies and brands; insufficient women’s participation at the community/masjid level; a lack of efficient and professional sports infrastructure in Muslim communities; and a lack of funding for schools and communities to send teams and athletes.

Future plans include adding badminton, pickleball, cycling, 5K, swimming, archery, and other sports; expanding to more North American cities and globally with international partners; and providing support, training, and resources to communities, along with leagues to grow and develop their sports program.

Misbahuddin Mirza, M.S., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer, registered in the States of New York and New Jersey. He served as the regional quality control engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation’s New York City Region. He is the author of the iBook “Illustrated Muslim Travel Guide to Jerusalem.” He has written for major U.S. and Indian publications.

The post The Islamic Games Honor Young Muslim Athletes appeared first on Islamic Horizons.

Nov/Dec 2024

In recent years, popular social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have emerged as powerful tools for raising awareness and supporting humanitarian causes worldwide. Theve presented information that may not appear in traditional news outlets: supported the organization of demonstrations against foreign policy and illuminated protests against human rights violations. Currently, social media is also helping in raising funds for Palestinians suffering in Gaza.

TikTok Filters Help Raise Money and Awareness for Gaza

In November 2023, one month after the genocide started, a filter named FILTER FOR GOOD started making its way into young people’s TikTok feeds. Created with augmented reality (AR) effects — digitally-added objects, text, or images that enhance the real world seen through a phone, computer, or AR headset — by designer Jourdan Johnson (@xojourdanlouise), it allows users a free and easy way to donate to Palestinians. The more a filter is used, the more money it generates. Johnson has donated all the proceeds to Doctors Without Borders and to buy eSIMs for Palestinians to stay connected. 

While raising thousands of dollars, this filter has also opened a new pathway especially for young donors. Thousands of TikTok creators started making videos, filters, and sounds to donate the proceeds to Gaza. Using the watermelon emoji as a symbol of support for Palestine became popular as well, so that videos weren’t flagged or taken down.

These methods made it easy to help those in Gaza. Filming a video with a filter or sound takes less than 10 seconds; however, it could help a family evacuate. This online activism also educated many TikTokers about the conflict. 

Additionally, many Gazans have now turned to TikTok to raise donations directly. Palestinian families have created their own filters and sounds, and regularly post them on TikTok asking for contributions to their GoFundMe accounts. Many TikTokers use this platform to donate directly to those accounts by interacting with their videos, using their filters, and creating sounds to help them generate money.

Instagram Gathers Support 

Many of these activism techniques are available on Instagram. Palestinian families and those trying to raise funds for organizations in Palestine turn to the reels feature, short videos similar to  TikToks, to gain support. Instagram users interact with these videos to generate money for the creator, and often share these videos on their public stories to raise awareness and increase donations.

Instagram is also a central platform for journalists and press in Gaza. Bisan Owda (@wizard_bisan1), a journalist who has been documenting her life of displacement in Gaza, has accumulated over 4 million followers since October 2023. Her activism has reached many, and her account has allowed supporters to track her life and truly understand the conditions in Gaza. 

Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza (@motaz_azaiza) is another key figure in spreading awareness via Instagram.. Although he evacuated Gaza in January 2024, his work reporting under Israel’s bombardment gathered him over 17 million followers and an extremely large amount of support. His photos of life during the genocide  have been shared in thousands of stories, bringing more support and awareness to the ongoing issue. .

Let’s Talk Palestine (@letstalkpalestine), an organization dedicated to conveying accurate information about the conflict’s background, has almost 1 million followers. With posts such as Israeli Apartheid for Beginners, A Guide to Boycotting for Palestine, and numerous ways to donate to and support Palestinians, the account  is  a key player in educating Instagram users. Their broadcast channel contains daily updates on Palestine.

Additionally, many such activist organizations establish their home base on Instagram. National organizations such as Hearts in Gaza Project, Operation Olive Branch, and Doctors Without Borders use it as a central point of their platform, by reaching a wide audience and directing them to their website via their accounts. One of these organizations, Watermelon Warriors (@watermelonwarriors.io), uses Instagram as one of its main platforms.

How Using Social Media Platforms Benefits Organizations

Watermelon Warriors is a Palestinian-run nonprofit that works to distribute eSIMs in Gaza. Adan (who chose not to reveal her last name to protect her family in Gaza), one of the cofounders, explains how she partnered with a friend working in tech to build the organization. 

“We grew up in Wisconsin and we went to the same undergrad. He started Watermelon Warriors (WW) because he has a tech background,” she says. Originally, WW was an organization that helped people advocate for Palestinians by sending letters to representatives. 

WW currently has over 12K followers on Instagram and consistent post engagement. “We find that people share our posts [on] a lot of their stories,” Adan states. “We also found that a lot of people take our posts and then host fundraisers of their own within their communities. And they’re able to raise hundreds of dollars at a time to donate eSIMs, which has been really special. And we’re so grateful for it.”

The organization also prioritizes educating their supporters. “We’re trying to have more informative posts moving forward with historical information so people are able to educate themselves and share that information with others,” Adan says. 

Most members of WW’s  current audience are licensed professionals. “Doctors, teachers, community members, especially a lot of psychologists, have been reaching out to promote us and ask how they can help. We’re finding a lot of 30–50-year-old professionals willing to help,” Adan said. 

Since Adan is based in Texas and her partner in Chicago, the organization relies heavily on volunteer support. “Our volunteers are all over the world – one in Germany, one in Spain, obviously our distributors in Palestine, and then a bunch around America who, if they have a minute, will create a post for us and help us keep up a regular social media schedule,” Adan says. “So, it takes a village, and we’re so grateful for all the volunteers for even donating a little bit of time and effort to help us.”

What You Can Do to Help

Large social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have enabled users to donate to Palestinians, even if they may not be able to afford to donate money directly. Liking, sharing, and commenting on more than nine words on videos from the accounts of Palestinian families can generate money for their account and make their videos reach a wider audience. Using filters and sounds created to donate to Gaza can also help generate thousands of dollars and help evacuate families from the apartheid system. Additionally, sharing these videos and content on your public social media accounts can increase awareness and, potentially, donations.

Sanaa Asif, a senior at Hinsdale (Ill.) Central High School, is an avid reader and loves to learn and write about others and their experiences.

The post Social Media Creators Play A Key Role in Advocating for Palestine appeared first on Islamic Horizons.

By MYNA Staff

Nov/Dec 2024

This year’s Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) programs at ISNA’s 61st Annual Convention were an unforgettable event. Thousands of youth from across the country gathered under the theme, “Unity in Faith: Journey to Victory.” The program featured 17 engaging sessions, each drawing over 500 attendees, and covered critical topics of spiritual growth, unity, and overcoming challenges. Esteemed speakers included Imam Zaid Shakir, Mufti Hussain Kamani, Shaykh Abdulnasir Jangda, Shaykha Iesha Prime, Shaykha Haifaa Younis, Imam Mohamed Magid, and Dr. Yasir Qadhi.

The theme resonated deeply with the attendees, emphasizing the power of collective effort, transcending cultural and personal differences, and fostering harmony within the Muslim youth community. “Journey to Victory” symbolized each individual’s personal and spiritual growth, a collective push toward overcoming internal and external trials.

“The MYNA program was truly the highlight of the entire ISNA Convention,” shared Saleh, a program attendee. “Each session was deeply moving and incredibly powerful. It wasn’t just about learning facts—it was about connecting with our faith on an emotional and spiritual level.” 

This sentiment echoed across the event, as attendees walked away feeling inspired and uplifted by the remarkable speakers and topics that resonated with the challenges and triumphs faced by Muslim youth today.

Beyond the inspiring sessions, the MYNA track fostered personal connections, provided space for networking, and encouraged meaningful dialogue. One participant, Amira from Chicago, said, “The lectures and workshops really helped me understand my role in building a stronger community. It’s about bringing our hearts together for something bigger than ourselves.”

The program also featured workshops that focused on a variety of topics, from practical leadership skills to the role of youth in social justice movements. Over the weekend, MYNA youth leaders also organized special activities, giving participants the chance to bond over shared experiences and future aspirations. The event truly embodied the idea of uniting hearts for a common cause and striving toward personal and communal victories.

The MYNA convention wasn’t just confined to the sessions; the MYNA booth in the bazaar was a hub of energy and excitement throughout the weekend. Youth from across the nation gathered to learn more about upcoming camps, leadership programs, and MYNA’s year-round initiatives. The booth was a space for connection and networking, where many attendees signed up for future programs and even reunited with old friends. Volunteers were busy sharing the impact of MYNA’s work, while merchandise and sign-up sheets flew off the tables, reflecting the enthusiasm of the crowd.

“The booth was an amazing opportunity to see how many people wanted to get involved,” said Ayman, an attendee from Texas. “It showed that we’re not just participants, we’re building a real, lasting community.”

As the MYNA program drew to a close, the energy and excitement in the room were palpable. The sense of unity and purpose fostered throughout the sessions left a lasting impression on both the attendees and the speakers, with several key-note lecturers noting how exceptionally well-planning and executed the MYNA track was.

“This wasn’t just a weekend event — it was a transformative experience,” said one participant. 

With hearts full and spirits lifted, everyone left with renewed commitment to their faith and their communities. The powerful combination of spiritual growth, intellectual engagement, and communal bonding will continue to resonate long after the convention.

The post MYNA Helps Connect Youth to Faith appeared first on Islamic Horizons.

By Alaa Abdeldaiem 

Sep/Oct 2024

Every summer since 2014, a remarkable event unfolds that shapes the future of Muslim leadership across the U.S: The Muslim Youth of North America’s (MYNA) Annual Summer Leadership Summit (SLS). This July, the highly anticipated event gathered around 60 youth from across the country, each poised to take on significant roles as executive committee and regional executive committee officers. The summit is a transformative experience, combining technical training, spiritual development, professional growth, and interactive workshops to prepare these young leaders for their upcoming responsibilities.

The SLS cornerstone, its comprehensive technical training program, provides in-depth instruction on the practical aspects of leadership roles within MYNA. From learning how to effectively manage meetings, organize events, and follow various policies and procedures to mastering software like Google Suite, Notion, and more, participants are equipped with the essential tools they need to excel in their positions. Youth are also trained on the inner workings of fundraising, cold calling, marketing, outreach, project management, and similar activities. 

Spiritual Development

Recognizing that effective leadership in our community is deeply rooted in spiritual strength, the summit stresses spiritual development. Participants engage in sessions that deepen their understanding of Islamic principles and practices, Quranic studies, reflections on the Prophet’s (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) life, and discussions on how to incorporate Islamic values into their leadership styles — activities designed to foster a stronger connection with their faith. 

Youth are joined by scholars and teachers such as Mufti Abdulwahab Waheed (co-founder, Miftaah Institute), Sh. Abdullah Waheed (director, Islamic Affairs at Flint [Mich.] Islamic Center), Ustadha Hazel Gomez (board member, Rabata), Ustadh Ammar Alquoqa, Dr. Jawad Shah, and others. The event prepares youth leaders to lead with integrity and purpose by nurturing their spiritual well-being.

“The environment was incredibly supportive and inclusive, making it easy to connect with everyone and share ideas,”said Farah H. “I left SLS feeling empowered, equipped with new skills, and ready to implement what I learned in my upcoming term as Vice President. This summer has truly ignited a passion in me to lead with purpose and compassion. I am grateful for this unforgettable experience and look forward to continuing my journey as a leader.”

The summit also offers a robust professional development program designed to enhance participants’ skills in areas that are crucial for their future careers and personal growth. Workshops on public speaking, time management, teamwork, and strategic planning provide invaluable insights and practical knowledge. Guest speakers from various professions share their experiences and offer guidance, thereby inspiring the youth to aspire to excellence in all aspects of their lives.

One of the SLS’ most dynamic aspects is its engaging, hands-on, and collaborative workshops. These interactive sessions inspire participants to actively contribute and learn from one another. Workshops cover a wide range of topics, among them how to give and receive feedback, manage different personalities on a team, utilize creativity, and develop a unique vision. 

Meaningful Group Activities

Fun challenges such as an obstacle course and an Islamic scavenger hunt also encourage youth to work as a team in the spirit of fun and learning. Through group activities, role-playing, and brainstorming sessions, participants develop creative solutions to real-world challenges and build strong bonds with their peers.

Beyond these training and development sessions, the summit also provides an invaluable opportunity for youth to connect and form lasting friendships. These relationships create a supportive network of like-minded individuals who share a common vision of our community’s future. By fostering these connections, the summit helps to build a united and resilient generation of leaders who will continue to support and inspire each other long after the event has concluded.

“SLS was a perfect balance of spiritual rejuvenation, skill building, and team bonding,” said Mahmoud E. “These lessons not only enriched my knowledge but also instilled a sense of pride and motivation to emulate the strength and dedication of the leaders that came before us in our everyday life and work.”

The impact of MYNA’s SLS extends far beyond the event’s duration. The skills, knowledge, and relationships gained empower participants to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. As they step into their roles as MYNA executive committee and regional executive committee officers, these young leaders are well-prepared to lead initiatives, inspire their peers, and drive positive change. In short, they are ready to have a lasting impact on their communities and the world.

Alaa Abdeldaiem is the MYNA Manager in ISNA’s Youth Development Department

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By Naazish YarKhan

July/Aug 2024

Zahra Basha, a newly minted graduate of University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, used her May wedding as a platform against the genocide in Palestine. It made perfect sense, considering she was one of 46 students arrested for protesting on campus. Every place setting at her wedding had the name and age of a martyr, and the program had a designated moment for guests to make dua for their assigned martyr. “Free Palestine” embossed wrappers adorned 650 chocolate coins. Her speech made sure that Palestine was on every single mind during the festivities. 

Basha is still shocked at the police brutality she and her peers were subjected to at their school administrators’ behest. It began in response to a peaceful student sit-in on Nov. 17, 2023. “The Regents and UMich administration mobilized not only campus security and police, but also police departments in neighboring counties. They not only kept us from entering the school building, but the way the police handled the situation was inherently escalatory,” Basha recalls. “They were violently brutalizing, handcuffing, shoving students who were peacefully exercising their right to freedom of speech. Students were thrashed on the ground. It caused mass hysteria.” 

Among the 200+ protesters, Basha and 45 others were arrested and criminally charged that day. A police officer yanked off her hijab. As PR director for Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE; www.facebook.com/SAFEUmich/), her role has been to record everything — and she has horrific footage of that day. What unfolded that first time has only been the beginning of extremely violent repression of its students.  

The injustices against Palestinians have always struck a chord with Basha, particularly as a Muslim with Indian origins who saw the links and connections between Israel’s occupation of Palestine and India’s occupation of Kashmir. Having attended a “very Zionist high school that was always pushing a particular agenda about Palestinians and misconceptions about Muslims,” joining SAFE, once she was at college, was only natural. 

When she was a sophomore, SAFE comprised seven board members. “Palestine, then, was an issue that only those in the Muslim community or those affected by it spoke up about,” she remarks. Raising awareness was SAFE’s first order of business. Though tiny in terms of scale, it held annual cultural events, a mock Apartheid Wall demonstration to display the on-going injustice, protests against the Birth-Right trip event on campus, as well as teach-ins about the history of the occupation, how Israel came into being and what the term Nakba means. 

Michigan is familiar with large-scale protests and mass organizing in support of Palestine, given that Dearborn is home to a huge Palestinian population. That said, on campus “it was the same people, the same SAFE board members who were mobilizing and organizing. Few others cared to respond or show up.” As a result, the organization faced little backlash from school administrators during her first years on campus. Naturally, all that changed after October 7th. In addition, she had never anticipated the level of police brutality, how violently administrators would crack down on the student movement or how consistently they’d ignore student demands.  

She believes the urgency is so much more potent today. The current board has grown to 20 members. SAFE is also at the forefront of a coalition of 69+ student organizations, mainly comprising minority student groups and those centered around civil rights. Beginning in early October 2023, the coalition issued a list of student demands asking the school to take accountability for the anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiments being encouraged on campus even by the administration. It also continued to call on the school to stop profiting from The Genocide in Palestine and to divest. “It’s our tuition that goes towards the school’s endowment that profits from war, and not just in Israel but across the globe. We continue to demand that the school stop funding the murder of some of our student’s family members in Palestine,” says Basha.

Even as students were being criminally prosecuted, brutalized by the police and doxed, the demand for dialogue was ignored. Even worse, the school responded with policies to repress freedom of speech. This became the spark for the encampments. “The encampments were a physical manifestation of the students’ refusal to be silenced and ignored,” Basha said. What began as a student-led effort burgeoned to include community members who’ve been willing to put their jobs and careers on the line.  

On May 22, 30+ days into the encampments, the police used bulldozers and tables to plough through tents and destroy property, tear-gassed and pepper sprayed students. “Even after this next level of violence, our movement has not only grown but been strengthened by our refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer. We must remember that the repression we are facing is part of a global hegemonic system to perpetuate colonial agendas and silence minorities,” Basha concluded.

At the time of writing, the UMich administration continues to ignore demands to engage in dialogue.

Naazish YarKhan is a writing tutor and college essay coach. To learn more, visit WritersStudio.us.  

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By Nayab Bashir

July/Aug 2024

There is an American dream beyond the standard striving for upward mobility. It’s a dream of inclusion and integration, of equity. Perhaps that is what some mothers were looking for when they signed their daughters up for Girl Scouts Troop 149. 

The Girl Scouts has long been a coming-of-age rite of passage. One in three women in the U.S. was a Girl Scout at some point in their life. The organization claims to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” Unfortunately, as of late, some disagree. 

This past cookie season, Troop 149 of St. Louis, Mo., wanted to sell bracelets instead of cookies and donate the proceeds to Palestine. Not long after they announced their plans, their parent chapter, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, aggressively responded with a very clear message that the organization didn’t participate in political and partisan activities: “Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and Girl Scouts of the United States have no other choice than to engage our legal counsel to help remedy this situation and to protect the intellectual property and other rights of the organization” (Erum Salam, “Girl Scout troop disbands after parent chapter blocks Palestine fundraiser”, March 5, 20245, The Guardian). Not only was this surprising, but also hypocritical, as other Girl Scout troops had organized to help Ukraine after Russia’s February 2022 invasion. The Girl Scout’s website shows a troop in Ohio awarded one of the organization’s highest recognitions, the Girl Scout Bronze Award, for collecting medical supplies and packing first aid kids, friendship bracelets and cookies to be distributed in Ukraine (www.girlscouts.org/en/site-search.html?q=ukraine).

Hurt and Disappointment

Aside from the fear that accompanies a threat of legal action, the situation was hurtful and triggering for Troop 149’s founder Nawal Abuhamdeh, a Brooklyn-born Palestinian American. The stark contrast of the organization’s response to the Ohioan troop and her own stirred memories of being excluded as a child because of her identity. Both her parents were born in Beit Hanina, a West Bank village on the road connecting Ramallah to al-Quds (Jerusalem). Despite a daily yearning to return to her homeland, Abuhamdeh hasn’t visited her beloved Palestine since 2016. “Palestine is my home, my true love, and I dream of a day I can live there freely,” she states. 

A freelance product designer and mother of four, Abuhamadeh has worked with various Islamic nonprofits in St. Louis. She and her husband have dedicated their lives to raising practicing Muslim children who will make a positive difference in the world. “We want to ensure that they have more opportunities as second-generation Muslim Palestinian Americans than we did as the first-generation,” Abuhamadeh said. 

“This was one of the reasons behind founding the troop in 2019. My intentions were clear: ‘I wanted our girls to learn the skills they need to be strong, independent community leaders, using their Muslim identity as their superpower.’”

She believes the Girl Scouts’ mission aligned with her values of boosting “girls’ courage, confidence and character.”  She feels it’s like following the Prophet’s (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sunnah — to use our values to make the world a better place. 

Every year, the troop put in a lot of energy into cookie season, selling about $8,000 worth of them each year. They followed each rule. 

But this year was different, for there are no rules and policies when it comes to advocating against a genocide. Thus, the troop decided not to participate in the annual cookie season. “We believe that in times of crisis and hardship, it is crucial to prioritize empathy, compassion and support for those who are suffering,” Abuhamadeh said. “At such a time cookies didn’t feel like the right focus. We couldn’t fathom selling cookies when our brothers and sisters are being forced to starve. We couldn’t sell cookies during a genocide.

“I am no longer going to stay quiet to make other people feel more ‘safe’ or comfortable about my identity. How could anyone see images of children and people in shreds, videos of children being amputated without anesthesia, mothers screaming for their children, children begging for their parents and not do anything about it? It is all horrific. And the worst part is that this is all man-made and our ‘leaders’ are doing nothing about it.” 

While the leaders may not be doing much, when the 10-year-olds in troop saw the images, they were in tears and ready for action. They watched “Farha,” – a 2021 internationally co-produced historical drama film about a Palestinian girl’s coming-of-age experience during the Nakba (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farha_(film)), at a group movie night and followed it with a restorative circle with a mental health specialist where each girl cried and expressed their feelings about what is happening in Palestine. They said they felt guilty for being happy when kids in Gaza are being killed, displaced and injured. 

The girls, of Pakistani, Jordanian, Somali and Palestinian heritage, didn’t feel they could be happy selling cookies. They asked if they could sell bracelets instead to raise funds for Gaza. Adults agreed and quickly set their idea in motion. 

Girl Scouts Disapproves

It is uncertain how exactly The Girl Scouts of USA found out about the troop’s plans. It was never a secret, as at the time the foundation’s reaction was unexpected.

Before Abuhamadeh could respond to the first email, she had three more in her inbox. She was afraid they may take legal action against her. The message was clear. The email called for immediate removal of all communication, social media posts and reference to the organization in the troop’s efforts, stating clearly that this was not an approved activity. Upset, confused and worried, Abuhamadeh contacted CAIR-Missouri and was asked to “keep them in the loop.”

“I independently responded to them, expressing that this is not political or partisan and how dire the humanitarian crisis is in Gaza.” More than anything, she was disappointed. She exchanged a few emails and texts with CAIR but was told that “they didn’t notice a discrimination case.” Some feel the matter is resolved; however, Abuhamadeh and her troop do not agree. 

The troop disbanded because it felt that The Girl Scouts don’t practice what they preach. Prior to this situation, everything their troop had participated in embodied the organization’s values. Abuhamadeh ensured that the meetings and activities were girl-led, that members left each meeting better than they’d come, were honest and fair with each other and the people they were around and made their communities better through their service. 

The Girl Scouts no longer holds any appeal for the former troop. “After their long silence, we aren’t expecting them to apologize. We’ve come to accept that, and [it] further makes us feel that we made the right decision to leave Girl Scouts. Their organization isn’t a good fit for us, who we are and the causes we stand for. If you aren’t pro-peace and anti-genocide, we don’t want to be associated with you. We’d prefer to stay on the right side of history.” 

After CAIR contacted Girl Scouts, their chief executive, Bonnie Barcykowski wrote that they “were disappointed and disheartened by what recently transpired” and they “recognize the greater clarity and additional education is needed regarding fundraising policies.” Further adding “this is a learning moment for our organization as we realize we can always do better. We know we should always lead with empathy and recognize the incredible need for kindness and compassion during this difficult time, we are also deeply committed to advancing belonging, inclusion, and anti-racism as an organization and within our membership, and we will continue to ensure that we address all communities, including the Muslim and Arab communities. GSUSA will be working alongside our council partners to review this incident and make the necessary adjustments to prevent it from happening in the future. We realize we missed an opportunity to champion our troops while they make a difference.”

Bracelets Bring Big Bucks

The resilient group of girls has moved onward and upward. On their first order form they sold 600 bracelets in two weeks. Once the story hit social media, they sold 2,106 bracelets in less than four days and had to close orders again. They called out to volunteers and were humbled by the response as people from all over southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois joined them to help complete and dispatch orders. 

As of early May, the troop has raised over $20,000 for Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. 

Abuhamadeh accepted every interview request from all media sources, including STLPR, NBC, Washington Post, The Guardian and more, but refused to interview with FOX for their biased and racist coverage of Gaza. “I wasn’t going to give them an opportunity to slice my interview into being the story that they want to tell, putting me in jeopardy of portraying me in a negative light.”

Her daughter Mariyah Abdelbaset,11 joined her for an interview with NPR. It was an emotional moment for both. “It was my first interview with my daughter, and I was proud of her for using her voice. I was sad to hear her talk about how she doesn’t feel like she could be happy when the kids of Gaza are not. I was thankful that I was given the opportunity to tell our story, amplify the voice of Palestinians and could inspire others to stand up for what is right in the world. It is only when we are united that we can make an impact in the world.”

Unsure of what the future holds, Abuhamadeh and the girls are choosing to focus on the positive and hope to enter the new chapter with excitement and motivation to make a positive difference in the world. 

Nayab Bashir is a literature aficionado with an English literature degree to prove it. 

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The post Cookies Without Conscience appeared first on Islamic Horizons.

By Naazish YarKhan

July/Aug 2024

A generation once written off as soft and self-absorbed, as kids raised on filters, selfies and trigger warnings, is showing the world what they are truly made of. Shorouk Akarah, a senior at DePaul University, joined the pro-Palestine, pro-ceasefire efforts through the DePaul Divest Coalition, a group of organizations that want to make sure that DePaul is on the right side of history. She also worked on efforts to get Chicago to pass the resolution in favor of a ceasefire. 

“In a sense, Chicago passing a resolution gave us a leg up to do more things. I had never imagined it would get to encampments,” Shorouk said. “That students would have to camp out for days and weeks on end for schools to acknowledge that this was happening. We don’t know exactly where our tuition dollars are going, and students across campuses want to know. Our tuition dollars are killing our family members in Gaza. No matter whether you have a relative in Gaza or not, we are all Palestinian.”

Her role in the DePaul encampment is to manage the supply, medic and food tents, and collect donations, to ensure that those staying at the encampments overnight have all they need. “Us students are the next generation. We are the ones that are going to see this through, insha Allah,” Shorouk said. “No matter how old or young you are, it is very important [to be involved] not just as Palestinians, but as people in general. It is about time.” Awareness and education are critical to keep the momentum going, she emphasizes. 

She agrees that this all started way before Oct. 7, 2023. The siege on Gaza is heading into 17 years. The occupation has [lasted for] over 76 years.  “Why do people continue to let it happen? Knowing all this is very important, because it keeps you going,” she said. She believes that calling for divestments, besides the economic ramifications, is also a call for schools to recognize what is happening right now. 

Police Brutality

However, the police brutality that ensued in response to the encampments across some campuses did not surprise her.  

“We’ve always been taught that the police look at us as ‘the other,’ the aggressors, when it is the opposite. Police escalate things or do nothing to protect the students in encampments,” she relates. “That is why we always say at the DePaul encampments, ‘We protect ourselves; we protect each other. We don’t need outside security.’ We check in with fellow students. We have trained marshals who know what to do if the cops show up. We also have lawyers on hand, just in case.”

These youth believe that the Palestinians are showing them what resilience looks like. They feel the encampments are not just important for them, but also to other minority groups who’ve come together to create this coalition. “The encampments and protests show that Palestinian voices have been heard and are being lifted by us,” Shorouk said. 

“We can do more here to help them there. My university is trying to give us ‘our space’ but, sooner or later, we expect them to come and say, “Enough is enough.” But we are not going to back down. Our school is openly Zionist, and our end goal is to get DePaul to divest. One thing we are doing well is to ask our administration to send people who can help us with our negotiations, people in positions who can help us.”

All this is not to say she wasn’t afraid. She is pursuing law and wants to work for the state. She is, to an extent, afraid because she has had people come to the campus and take photos. We emphasize safety and [ask students to] put masks on. Someone I know is on the Canary Mission website. He told me, “Being on that website is a badge of honor.” I’ve started to say that a lot myself. 

As we witness the second Nakba unfold, Shorouk and those around her hope that their efforts and the efforts of all those around them will, God willing, destroy the status quo when it comes to Palestine. 

Naazish YarKhan is a writing tutor and college essay coach. To learn more, visit WritersStudio.us. 

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By MYNA Staff

July/Aug 2024

In the realm of Muslim youth empowerment, MYNA (The Muslim Youth of North America) has long been revered for its commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders grounded in Islamic values. During Ramadan, MYNA embarked on an unprecedented journey by organizing its first-ever Qiyamps, 24-hour spiritual retreats designed to deepen participants’ connection with their faith and foster personal growth. This groundbreaking initiative, which took place across 15 different mosques across the country, brought together over 600 attendees nationwide for a transformative journey of enlightenment, empowerment, and unity within the Muslim youth community.

At the core of MYNA’s Qiyamps was the theme “Iqra: The Revelation of the Quran,” which was inspired by the command of the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Participants were invited to embark on a journey of enlightenment and discovery, delving deep into the timeless wisdom and guidance contained within the pages of the Quran. Through heartfelt lectures, interactive workshops, and reflective sessions, attendees explored the beauty, relevance, and transformative power of the Quranic message in their lives.

“We read a lot of Quran during Ramadan but sometimes don’t take the time to truly understand it, and this event was an opportunity to take a closer look at what Allah (Subhanau wa Ta’la) revealed as the guide in our lives,” Sarah F. said. “It was nice to hear from our teachers and scholars how to connect with the Quran in the blessed month in which it was revealed.”

“MYNA’s Qiyamps also offered a diverse array of programming designed to cater to the spiritual, intellectual, and social needs of participants,” said Alaa Abdeldaiem, MYNA Manager. “From engaging workshops on topics ranging from personal development to social justice to Islamic Jeopardy sessions that put participants’ knowledge to the test, there was something for everyone.” Gender-separate sessions provided a safe and inclusive space for deeper discussions and reflections.

Qiyamps included tafseer sessions after taraweeh and youth-led tahajjud prayers. Quran circles provided a space for contemplation, and communal recitation of the Quran, 

“The MYNA Qiyamp at NWIIC (Northwest Indiana Islamic Center) was a wonderful experience, combining spirituality with fun in a way that resonated with everyone involved,” Farah H. said. “The youth had a fantastic time engaging in various activities, and I found the experience deeply enriching as well. The sense of community and shared purpose was truly inspiring.”

“The Qiyamp at my masjid was just a taste of what MYNA has to offer year-round,” Saleh A. said. “I’m excited to build off of this experience and stay involved with the amazing work MYNA does and continuing to grow closer to Allah along the way.”

During Ramadan, MYNA also hosted its annual Quranathon, an event where youth sign up to read and connect with the holy Quran. “48 participants came together and collectively read 4690 pages of the holy Quran this year Mashallah!,” said Amal Sarhan, MYNA Communications Coordinator. “Their dedication and commitment to this spiritual practice was evident as they immersed themselves in the verses, fostering a sense of unity and reverence within our MYNA community.” Participants were rewarded with prizes, adding an element of excitement and encouragement to their journey of Quranic exploration.

Coming Up!

ISNA’s Youth Development Department is also gearing up for six summer camps revolving around the theme of “Adab in Action”. Rooted in Islamic tradition, adab embodies the refined behavior, etiquette, and virtues exemplified by the Prophet. Campers will explore how his legacy serves as a beacon of guidance, illuminating the path towards embodying Adab in thought, speech, and action. Through practical workshops and role modeling, campers will empower themselves to become agents of positive change within their communities, inspiring others through exemplary conduct and ethical leadership, and leaving a legacy of excellence. 

The Mid-Atlantic all girls camp will be an enriching experience designed to foster spiritual growth, personal development, and sisterhood in a supportive Islamic environment. Led by knowledgeable mentors and counselors who share a deep commitment to Islamic values, the programs are designed to inspire girls to connect with their faith, and strengthen their character. Topics like body image, women’s role in Islam, mental health, nutrition, and more will also be explored. Whether it’s learning about Islamic history, exploring the natural world, or simply sharing laughter and stories around the campfire, our all girls camp offers an empowering and unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of our campers.

Find out dates and locations at myna.org/camps 

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By Raudah Mohd Yunus 

July/Aug 2024

I have a very good friend who lives in Gaza. She and her daughter once stayed in Malaysia for a few years because her husband was a student at a university in Kuala Lumpur. I was also in Malaysia during those years, and we became friends.

On Oct. 14, 2023, as the current scourge of genocidal mass killings began to ravage Gaza, I became desperate to know their condition. I sent her a message: “Sister, please tell me how you are. I am worried.” Her reply was, “Thank God. I’m still alive. We are moving to Khan Younis.” At first, Khan Younis was dubbed a “safe zone,” so I was relieved to hear that she and her family were moving there. At least they would be safe for the time being. We communicated with each other until Nov. 21, 2023.

During December 2023, news broke that Israel had begun shelling Khan Younis after destroying much of Gaza. I sent her another message on Dec. 2, 2023. To my utter dismay, there was no reply — my message was not even delivered. Subsequent attempts to reach her went futile. I then tried to message her daughter’s number — no reply. To this day, I don’t know if they’re alive or dead. Perhaps I’ll never find out.

A Personal Darkness Descends

As the days went by, I watched in horror at the Israeli apartheid regime’s continuous brutality and arrogance as it mass-murdered Palestinian children, women and men. Seismic images and recordings of mothers holding their dead babies, children screaming in pain and wounded all over, children being operated on without anesthesia and frantic men searching for family members under the rubble have become daily scenes for the global audience. 

At one point I stopped watching or reading the news, not because I stopped caring, but because it was too much to bear and the news was taking a toll on my mental health. I tried to channel my frustration by talking with academic and activist friends from other countries and organizing online talks and discussions to solidify support for the Palestinian cause.

But each day the same questions kept coming back: “What can I really do? What is it that I can best do?” I had once been outspoken about the Rohingya genocide and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the political suppression and human rights abuses in the Arab world (particularly Egypt) and other calamities that hit people across the globe — all stemming from political and economic injustice.

I had visited Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon in 2007 to learn about the Sabra and Shatila massacre that took the lives of more than 3,000 Palestinians and Lebanese. Later in 2019, I toured the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to explore that country’s history of colonial and segregationist oppression.

But this time I felt paralyzed while witnessing the atrocities and cruelties inflicted upon the Palestinians, especially those in Gaza. Somewhere deep in my heart was a sense of despair. My inner voice whispered that dismantling the Israeli regime is impossible and that fighting the superpowers supporting Israel is out of the question. But I nevertheless forced myself to continue my work, but with great pessimism. Every moment felt like torture, and all I saw was darkness.

Columbia University Students Reignite my Optimism

In such moments of despair, on April 17 New York Columbia University’s students began pitching tents on their campus, after which 108 students were arrested. What initially seemed like an isolated, sporadic event quickly transformed into a global movement. This time, I watched in awe as the encampment movement grew in speed, momentum and courage. My sense of hope was rejuvenated, and my dying spirit was energized. 

It is obvious now that the tide will continue to grow and that suppression will only cause more resistance. As I cry for the brave souls who were handcuffed, arrested, threatened and expelled with each episode of oppression and violence by the police that appears in the news, my conviction only grows stronger that we — every one of us — need to speak the truth to power no matter what and despite the consequences.

Scenes across American universities now resemble those in Egypt. I lived in Alexandria for six years during the early 2000s and witnessed countless peaceful student demonstrations demanding greater democracy, transparency and better governance, only to be met with suppression and outright brutality by the police and special forces. 

Some of those protesters were my friends and classmates, who were among the most brilliant students on campus. They had nothing but love for their country and concern for justice. If there’s anything I learned from these unfolding events and my past experiences, it’s that the youth are an incredible source of strength for our community, our biggest asset and greatest hope.

What Does the Future Hold?

The spirit of justice among the young protesters at American universities and their struggle for a better world have set examples for us to emulate. It made me realize that we must invest in the young people and that these students are actually our teachers, because they’re showing us how to be truly transformative and that there is no difference between theory and practice. These students are giving us real lessons that cannot be conveyed in the classroom setting even by the smartest professors. This is what education is all about.

To the police force assaulting and harassing our young people and the cowardly authorities hiding in their ivory towers, where is our freedom of expression? Will there be any accountability for these unwarranted arrests and brutality against the innocent?

Raudah Mohd Yunus is a public health expert. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin. This article originally appeared on www.newagebd.net on May 21, 2024. It was copyedited, with the author’s permission, to fit with Islamic Horizons’ style.

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By Shabnam Mahmood

May/Jun 2024

Social media has become a powerful tool for Muslim youth to navigate today’s digital world, and some of them are changing the game when it comes to creating content. While some use content creation as a fun path to engaging followers in their interests, others use it as an influential da‘wa tool. 

Among these game-changers is Florida-based Deen Tour, a dynamic Sudanese trio that has garnered a significant following and made a profound impact with their Islamic content podcasts. With nearly half a million followers on Instagram @deentourr and 300K on TikTok, their engaging content, from epic pillow fights over Islamic trivia games to thought-provoking discussions, they have sparked a vast response from followers, demonstrating the power of their da‘wa efforts and inspiring others to follow suit.

Brothers Hussain and Osman Hafiz, along with cousin Osman Sir, grew up together sharing everything, even their love of Islamic knowledge. Each of them embarked on a journey in Islam that involved reading about the deen, following scholars and researching topics that spoke to them. They often discussed these topics, testing each other’s knowledge and learning from one another. A wrong answer would send them flying to research the right one, build upon it until they understood, only to return the following week with more questions and knowledge to share. They found contentment in learning more about the deen. 

De(en)-tour in Life

The idea for Deen Tour budded when the trio decided to help others through their love of Islam. Hussain thought of a podcast, a popular medium among their peers, and shared the idea with his brother and cousin.

“I’m young now. I’m choosing Islam. I’m choosing to call people to Islam,” said Hussain in an interview with Islamic Horizons. “Being famous or called an ‘influencer’ is not the goal. Islam has influenced us. Look at the way Islam has changed our lives and changed the lives of my brothers [in Islam]. It’s allowed us to grow and move forward.” 

The podcast sought to talk about life while keeping Islam central to the conversation to have a positive impact on Muslim youth. As the trio explains, the name “Deen Tour” came about because “Life is like a detour; we just use deen (the Islamic way of life) to navigate it.”

Sir echoes these sentiments. “I’ve always wanted to help people, and Allah gave me a way to help people out in the best way.” He added, “Our goal is to impact the youth. Because you’re young, you will be living your life doing whatever. But the best type of life you want to live is worshiping the Creator, because that’s what we’re put on Earth for. Nothing else makes sense.” 

With the temptations facing their generation, how exactly did they choose this path? Hafiz says Allah’s mercy guided them toward Islam and helped others do the same. Sir explains that he came to learn more about his deen through reading the Quran. It was verses such as “How can ye reject the faith in God? — seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again, to Him will ye return” (2:28) that gave him pause.

Using the Internet as a Da‘wa Tool

Hussain says action motivates him. He wonders how often people act upon the Quran. They may read it or recite it beautifully, but do they act upon the verses? While this thought gives him some introspection about everything he speaks of, he needs to follow reading by action. If he doesn’t do so, he fears that he’s being a hypocrite. 

Another motivation is the internet. Similar to how Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu’ alayhi wa sallam) gave da‘wa by going out into the streets, now there is the internet. Despite how many people think that youth waste their time on the internet, Hussain felt he could use that for good. “If people are addicted to their phones, at least we’re bringing beneficial knowledge of Islam to them.”

Hafiz credits his parents for their influence on the group’s ventures. His mother often quotes hadith and encourages them to explore their deen, learn and teach. At first, their parents were skeptical of their social media idea; however, once the trio explained their vision and pursued a halal path to Islam for themselves and others, they understood. Their mothers encourage others to see what the boys are doing and promote their podcasts and social media channels, which have been instrumental in growing their popularity. 

The trio’s unwavering dedication to their venture comes from the influence of their hard working immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to provide for their families. However, the normal parental expectations haven’t changed — they are still expected to balance their regular lives with their online world. 

“I think [that] as parents, we modeled the religion well for the kids to see,” said Hafiz’s mother. “They see us prioritize prayer; they see us reading the Quran and fasting. We show the beauty of religion and how important it is in our lives, which naturally falls onto the children. My aspiration is to see them continuing the path they are on. So long as they hold on to and prioritize the deen. I am satisfied.”

So, with the podcast, TikTok and Instagram pages, what’s next for the trio? As with most youth, merchandise! The Deen Tour wants to venture into clothing with sweatshirts and similar items. This ambitious group has even written an eBook titled “Guided by Purpose.” After finishing umra, they began discussing the book’s idea of finding the purpose of life in worship. The trio also wants to travel to mosques and conduct youth events in their unique style of talks and fun activities. These plans will surely excite their followers and the wider Muslim youth community. 

Deen Tour has undoubtedly made an impact in a very short time. Time will tell if these youth can maintain their presence in the challenging landscape of social media. However, if their intention remains steadfast, it appears they’re in it for the long haul. 

Shabnam Mahmood is a writer and educational consultant in Chicago. 

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