Young Muslims (YM)
is a pioneering national youth organization that has been on the youth scene since the early 90’s. We have established a well organized network of local youth groups that we call NeighborNets (which means network of neighbors) across the United States and Canada. Each NeighborNet is a dynamic youth group which attempts to build a solid understanding of the principles of Islam amongst its members by helping them put these principles into practice. By providing the youth with an Islamic atmosphere where they can form bonds of brotherhood with their peers, they become comfortable with Islam and its teachings. We encourage these youth to take the next step and become the torchbearers of Islamic work in America. We stress the importance of knowing, understanding, and fulfilling our individual and collective obligations as Muslims.
After talking to a few of my brothers, I realized YM is the only organization where I truly feel like it’s a big family. I can be at any location where there is a YM Neighbornet, and I feel like I have family there and I really mean it. Whether it’s New Jersey, Houston, Chicago, Florida, New York, Dallas, California, North Carolina, Kentucky or even Canada. The support is unreal and that’s what’s special about YM. I’m truly grateful for being a part of this amazing genuine brotherhood. Let’s continue to do this work for the sake of Allah together.
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the YM Leadership conference (nncc) in Atlanta at one of the most beautiful masajid I’ve seen in America. Beyond the structural beauty, within the walls of the masajid I saw something divinely beautiful. I saw brothers from across the continent coming together to discuss the work they do for Allah and searching for ways to improve it. A Facebook status will not do justice to this experience. But what I can tell you, is if you, like me and so many others wish to find hope in the world and its future, look no further than YM. I strongly encourage you to support this effort. Click on this link real quick and give anything. Wether it’s $10 or $100 dollars. Trust me, you want to be a part of this legacy and you want to take a share in the reward.
There’s a strong resemblance between the way corporate and non-profit organizations are run. The stuff I learned from YM about the way organizations are run is helping me a lot at the startup I’m working at. In just under two years at this startup, I’ve gotten promoted twice, and just became a manager with a few people reporting to me. A big part of that is due to the breadth of experience I gained through YM, namely in public speaking, organizational skills, people skills, conflict resolution, project management, being able to relate to the executive leadership of the company, identifying the big problems the company needs to solve (outside of just engineering). There’s a tremendous amount of stuff you learn being in YM for a few years, especially in leadership positions.