AMDA’s First Annual Youth Conference – March 4th & 5th, 2016
Transcript of the opening remarks delivered by Dr. Munawar Haque on March 04, 2016 on occasion of AMDA’s First Annual Youth Conference
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Alhamdulillah, I’m so happy and honored to be a part of this gathering. I welcome you all to AMDA’s First Annual Youth Conference. On behalf of AMDA’s Board of Trustees, the Advisory Board, the Board of Representatives, the Standing Committee, the Muslim Youth of AMDA, and myself, I thank you all for taking out time to assemble here and show solidarity for a noble cause, and that is to nourish the confidence, self esteem and trust of our youth. Our ultimate objective, of course, in anything we undertake is to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
My special thanks to our honorable guest speakers–Imam Sohel Mangera, Imam Mohammed Almasmari, Br. Maged Mahmoud, Br. Sheikh Ishtiaq, Br. Omar Malik, Br. Khurram Wani, Br. Amin Varis, and Sr. Samreen Ahmed. I am truly humbled by their presence, and by their willingness to share their words of wisdom and their experiences with our youth during this conference. My heartfelt thanks to our youth leader—Br Zeeshan Rizwan and his dedicated team of young volunteers—both brothers and sisters, whose combined efforts and group spirit made this event possible.
The theme of this conference is: “To be Young, Muslim, and American.” Insha’Allah, the talks and discussions will tackle some of the challenges that American Muslim youth face daily. The topics will range from spirituality to practicality, and will touch upon subjects like Allah’s guidance, money, fame, and religion, a Muslim family, productivity and time-management from an Islamic perspective, drug free is the way to be, being representatives of Islam, dating and marriage from an American youth perspective, and more.
Islam and Muslims have been part of American history for centuries, but most people are unaware of this fact. They think Islam in the United States is a relatively recent phenomenon and, hence, alien and un-American. In reality, there is a centuries-long recorded history of a Muslim presence in America, and Muslim Americans have contributed much to the nation they call home.
Speaking at the Cairo University on 4th June, 2009, President Barack Obama said, “And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they’ve excelled in our sports arenas, they’ve won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library.”
It is unfortunate, however, that the stories many of our fellow Americans tell about Islam are often colored by fear, misinformation, and prejudice. It is we, and mainly our youth who have to change these stories from one of fear and ignorance to that of love, understanding, and mutual respect.
The fact that a new generation of American-born Muslims is coming of age and choosing from a broad range of professions, including those in politics and media, means that we will have greater presence and representation. Muslim narratives, concerns, and contributions will become more and more mainstream and familiar to the broader American public. Although much progress has been made, we are still at the beginning of an era of change. The fact that mosques and Islamic centers have increased is good, but are we truly ready for this new era?
Islam is meant as a mercy for mankind. Our centers and institutions should reflect that principle and wherever there is a mosque, the residents in the neighborhood should feel that it is indeed a blessing. This can occur if we collectively work to improve our communities and the lives of our neighbors, whether it be by cleaning up the streets, providing assistance to the less fortunate, or by hosting beneficial events for the entire community. Our presence, as a minority, in this nation obliges us to be visible and positive representatives of Islam. It is our responsibility to spread the word about Islam.
Throughout his blessed life, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) maintained a perfect balance between appreciating and respecting the wisdom and the experience of the elder companions and at the same time appreciating and respecting the dynamism and the sharp insights of the younger companions. Let us benefit from both the elders and the youth in this conference insha’Allah.
Insha’Allah, there will be a panel discussion tomorrow towards the end of the conference. Please feel free to enrich each other with your comments and queries. Make suggestions; get involved. May Allah (SWT) bless us all with physical, mental, and spiritual health, with pure Islamic fitrah and with sound hearts. May Allah bless our families, our communities, and the humanity at large. Allahumma Ameen.
أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
وَصَلَّ اللهُ عَلَى خيرِ خَلقِهِ مُحمَّدٍ وعَلَى آلِه وأصْحَابِه أجْمَعِين- بِرَحْمَتِكَ يا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين
