question to the youth

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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

question to the youth
Saleema
09/16/00 at 22:18:01
Assalamoalykum,

Here is what I want to know. Does your community or your local masjid have a place for the muslim youth where they can get together and play games like pool, etc. along with a big screen tv where they can watch sports and halal programs? Where they can also get together and hold halaqas, gather together for meetings to do community service, and community work for muslims and masjids as well? If not, do you think its a good idea to have something like this?

Looking forward to hearing form everyone. And the non-youth can also reply of course.

Wassalam,
Saleema

And PS, Arsalan, if you know what I am getting at, don't say anything!! Ok? sheeesshh....... :)




Re: question to the youth
jannah
09/17/00 at 00:30:35
I think that is an awesome idea and I wish we could do something like that in our community, but of course we couldn't and how much you wanna bet you probably won't be able to have it in your community either...

The first thing that will come up is that the parents and elder ppl will say
1. MIXING!!! haram we can't have a BAR like place for our children

then ppl will say
2. WHAT youth learning on their OWN in halaqa's!! that is not proper guidance.

and then within 20 years you will see over 90% of their kids far from islam in real BARS not learning anything. and then they'll wonder how come the next generation is so messed up

sorry for the rather bitter tinge of this post
Re: question to the youth
Learner
09/17/00 at 05:33:18
Assalaamu alaikum wrt wbrt.

I agree that it is very difficult to establish something as mentioned above but at the same time I wouldn't say that it is impossible.
Alhamdulillah, I have heard that in a nearby city they have actually established a youth centre for the Muslims which is up and running. The issue of segregation is not a problem either - brothers use the facilities on certain days whilst the sisters use the facilities on other days. And I'm sure it won't be long till the brothers and sisters have a permanent place for themselves.

Unfortunately the youth centre was not opened up with the full blessings of the elders because they raised the usual objections that Jannah stated above. However despite the negative reactions of the elders, the brothers and sisters involved in the project, realising the urgency of having a youth centre, went ahead with their plans of establishing such a centre. I must emphasise though, that they didn't carry out their tasks completely void of guidance - they actually had a number of 'ulama backing them up, who not only supported them morally but also physically and financially. Alhamdulillah even until now they are persevering.

I hope to do the same Insha'Allah in my own community, its just a matter of getting a handful of brothers and sisters together who have the same aim of pleasing Allah (swt). I have learnt from experience that no matter what you try to do for the Muslim community you will never be able to please everyone - there will always be a segment of the community who will disagree with you if not oppose you. But we have to remember that the pleasure of Allah (swt) is our ultimate goal and as long as what we do is under the guidance of the 'ulama then we have nothing to worry about but everything to be happy about.

I personally don't think that you need everybody to get together to establish such centres, instead you just need a handful of quality people - quality not quantity. Insha'Allah when such centres are opened up and are kept running by these enthusiastic quality persons then you can be rest assured that it will be running for a long time and not get closed down and become another statistic. With Muslim youth centres the next generation will have a better footing and advantage than what we had and hence they will not have to go through the same state of confusion that we went through. Within time we shall see how rapidly the environment will change from a secular environment to an Islamic environment...or shall I say to bring about the Madinat Al Muslimeen environment into a tangible reality!

We might not be able to change the world but at least we can change the world of an individual. This is what really counts...changing an individual's perceptions and aims in life towards the akhira, jannah, the pleasure of Allah (swt). For it is these few individuals that when they get together will make the community of tomorrow.

It is so sad that the Jews being a minority and so deeply divided amongst themselves yet have achieved so much more than the Muslims. They have separate Jewish youth centres for the boys and girls, they have Jewish schools, Jewish hospitals, Jewish ambulances, Jewish guest houses, Jewish gyms and swimming pools, Jewish this and Jewish that. Basically they have facilities to cater for every corner of the community. Yet we Muslims are so many and are supposed be united as one Ummah...what are our achievements in comparison to them? If they can do it being on 'dalalah' then why can't we do it being on the 'siraat al mustaqeem'? Surely we can do it and Insha'Allah we will!!!  

“Verily Allah will not change the condition of the Muslims unless they try to change it themselves”

Wassalaam.
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
09/17/00 at 23:07:03
Assalamoalykum,

And do you know what that city is that has such a center up and running? H-town!! Yes, our (Arsalan and mine) very own Houston.

And guess what? I love it! The youth love it! The sisters get together on tuesdays and and thursdays, the brothers have it on mondays and fridays. Sunday is family day.

The girls who had bad reputaions in the community really did show the people that they can be guided with love (from their peers and support from some elders) with the Blessings of Allah. Of course not *everyone* shows up but hey, it will take time.

We do the Halaqas and everyone has to bring evidence for the hadith they quote, etc.  Its more like a discussion actually and we keep folders and take notes.

Now we have started a 'movement' which we are hoping will spread throughout the US (no really). Allah helps those who try, inshallah. We are taking Islam to the streets@!!!! The Brothers as well as the sisters.

We only mix when necessary and follow islamic addab. We mix when we have hold a shura (meetings) and when we are working together on projects.

Right now the youth is working on a "tile construction" project that was left unfinished.

Alhamdullilah we are doing welll.

It is possible to have a place like this. (We also have two basket ball courts, but they were there from the beginning.

If anyone would like to launch something like this in their community please contact me and I will try to give you as much information on how, inshallah.

We are also launching a magazine, inshallah!! First issue comes out on december. Eventually, inshallah, people all over the US will be subscribing for it.

You have no idea how much talent exists in us, i.e. the youth.

We still confront oppostion but there are some adults out there on our side.

Pray for us Houstonians and We will pray for you.

Wassalam
Re: question to the youth
Learner
09/19/00 at 08:10:31
Assalaamu alaikum wrt wbrt

Saleema, I am extremely happy that you guys have achieved such a great feat Alhamdulillah!

I am very interested in wanting to know how to go about doing the same thing as you've done. Please give me the lowdown. Jazakillah khair.

Wassalaam.
Re: question to the youth
pikachu
09/19/00 at 19:32:47

[quote]I think that is an awesome idea and I wish we could do something like that in our community, but of course we couldn't and how much you wanna bet you probably won't be able to have it in your community either...

The first thing that will come up is that the parents and elder ppl will say
1. MIXING!!! haram we can't have a BAR like place for our children

then ppl will say
2. WHAT youth learning on their OWN in halaqa's!! that is not proper guidance.

and then within 20 years you will see over 90% of their kids far from islam in real BARS not learning anything. and then they'll wonder how come the next generation is so messed up

sorry for the rather bitter tinge of this post
[/quote]

sad to say this is the situation of our community too..some events we try to do, they will always find wrong in it and try to find a way to make the originators of the event look bad or put us out of business as opposed to helping us plan the events in a better way, or advising us on right from wrong, namin?

how does a youth group get around this?

~pika
Re: question to the youth
jannah
09/19/00 at 23:05:09
My advice would be to inflitrate the enemy camp and try to get some supporters.... ie uncles, aunties that are cool, older college age or graduated student, 20-something people that can help you out and give your group some legitimacy and chaperoning etc so as to quell all those objections raised.
Re: question to the youth
Amatullah
09/24/00 at 23:51:23
we started a halaqa every friday night, but the sister in charge got busy, she now teaches in a school, and is applying for a course, so after our break, we never got back together again, we r having trouble finding another knowledgable group leader, everyone seems to be too busy
subhanallah, this is a chance for an adult to get extra rewards:)
amatullah
Re: question to the youth
dido
09/26/00 at 08:56:32
salam to everyone...
saleema...
after reading ur idea i was so excited that i ran off to my mosque and gave themthe idea but they gfot very mad and said thawt is was haram to have such places and that ist was a very bad idea ...he said it was the door to all the haram stuff and told me to go home and think about how bad i was..
i dunno what toi do???
wasalam
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
09/26/00 at 16:23:08
Salam,

Dido, I am very sorry to hear that. Pray to Allah, the best Guide, the best Helper. Then try to find some good scholar(s) or people with good reputations in your community who have some influence or can exert some influence. Have them talk to the people in charge. We can give them more information, if they want to know more about this.

I can't believe that they told you to go home and think about how bad you are!! that is crazy!! What community is this?

wassalam

and yes, Learner, I am very sorry that it is taking me so long to reply to you. You will have to wait to get the low down until this weekenend, inshallah.
Re: question to the youth
Learner
09/28/00 at 08:09:19
Assalaamu alakium

Dido: Do not worry and do not lose hope. Rasoolullah (saw) also had a lot of backlashes from his people but he never gave up but persisted in his  noble cause. Insha'Allah you too shall suceed if you follow the way of Rasoolullah (saw) - May Allah make it easy for all of us. Maybe Saleema will give us a few tips of how to overcome such a problem. Watch this space in the weekend.

Saleema: Jazakillah khair for responding, but don't rush yourself in replying - I would like a long detailed response :)

Wassalaam  
Re: question to the youth
proudtobemuslim
09/30/00 at 12:11:53
Assalam-u-Alaikum,

Before we jump to the conclusion that the imam is wrong, what exactly was it that you said to him about the institution?  Nevertheless, I'm still worriedabout the comment"go home and think about how bad you are"!

Wassalam-u-Alaikum
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/01/00 at 04:03:49
Salam,

Proudtobemuslim-- how ya doin' bro? I am still waiting for the new computer to arrive, otherwise I can't send you the diagram. Still typing up stuff.

Learner---you will get your information on Sunday at night.

Wassalam
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/01/00 at 22:47:34
Salam,

Learner, I am *very* sorry that i cant give u the information. I don't want to give you sketchy details so I am wating for my friend to give me the info. I thought she would give me the details this sunday, but she was busy. I hope u forgive me so that Allah may forgive me.

Again, I am very sorry. By this weak I am pretty positive, I will be able to provide you with the details. In the meanwhile, would you like to visit our website? It's not much. www.fivepillarscenter.org

Wassalam
Re: question to the youth
Arsalan
10/02/00 at 01:28:49
Assalamu alaikum,
[quote]Learner---you will get your information on Sunday at night.[/quote]
Should have said insha Allah.

[quote]By this weak I am pretty positive, I will be able to provide you with the details[/quote]
Insha Allah :)
Re: question to the youth
Harun
10/02/00 at 02:37:10
haha... whats the question again? alhamdulillah... there is much planning and preparation that is needed before such a project can take place or even before a proposal is made.  There is dire need for such facilities throughout the nation.  The children of immigrant muslim youth as well as indigenous youth here in the US have our new problems,a new culture and I have recently been told that there is an american muslim accent... whatever that is... but back to the point.  The fact that these centers do no exist yields a problem.  These facilities are not the answer to the lack of islam within the youth, but rather a turning point makin the way back to the deen.  If your intention is to make a youth center then it will remain a youth center, but if you desire to change the face of the muslim community insha Allah it will take place.  The overall concept is that a youth center must be run by a core group as previously stated. This group needs to be build on the concept of bringin the muslims to the deen.  This core group must make an assesment of the community and what it needs.  There is a need for a youth center when there are youth.... not when ur total community consists of 5 families then it is not feasable.  There are other options and other ways, but the realization must be made that the youth of Islam must take the challenge and stand up; only through the guidance of WISE elders not just any elders will a plan be successful. ok i shalt stop now, forgive me if i am totally off topic and do not make any coherent statements.
Re: question to the youth
Learner
10/02/00 at 13:23:15
Assalaamu alaikum wrt wbrt

Saleema: Relax, it's ok - there's no problem in the delay. I'll just have to wait in anticipatiion :)

Once again, jazakillah khair for your efforts.

Wassalaam.
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/02/00 at 16:38:23
Salam Harun!!!

I saw you at the Jamal Badawi lecture/fundraiser. But you were standing with a bunch of brothers I didn't know and I didn't want to come and say Salam.

So how are you?

Harun can give some input too.

Wassalam
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/02/00 at 23:31:12
Assalamoalykum,

Thank u Arsalan.

Inshallah.  :)

Wassalam
Re: question to the youth
mahsou411
10/09/00 at 18:51:18
Salaam,

Are we still talking abot the youth center??
I got lost:)
Re: question to the youth
Learner
10/18/00 at 10:20:57
Assalaamu alaikum

Saleema: Ehmm (cough)...don't really want to rush you but I was just wondering if you got those notes yet?

Wassalaam
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/18/00 at 12:27:11
Assalamoalykum,

the sis with all the cool info---i don't know where she disapeared to?????????????

i keep calling her and she's never there....

as soon as she returns my call or answers to my emails....

:(    :(         :(

I feel very stupid because I am a person that keeps her word most of the time and it has never taken that long for me to deliver a promise....
:(     :(

what would the Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) say, if he were here right now?
and what must Allah be thinking? I take my promises very seriously, (even if I don't say..."I promise"), and this probably makes me look bad. Two things that I worry about is lying and not being able to keep my word

wassalam
your sis and wait a little longer please
Re: question to the youth
Barraa
04/22/01 at 23:40:53
it is sort a haram first, tv is haram, then maybe when u said it u thought boys and girls mixed, that is haram. then swimming, for girls it should be private. he probably thought that it wasboys and girls mixed thats why he said its all haram.
anyway here we do that ONCE A YEAR YEAH. and the halaqas, no people under 17 ALLOWED!! i want it to be for girls ages 8-18, thats better.
anywayz, if u want visit my homepage: www.ryvc.homestead.com/FrontPage.html
its ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLS!!
but i am try to make one for botz inshallah.
yes well c ya!!
salam!
Re: question to the youth
Learner
04/25/01 at 18:28:59
slm :)

[quote]the sis with all the cool info---i don't know where she disapeared to?

i keep calling her and she's never there....

as soon as she returns my call or answers to my emails....[/quote]

Ermmm...any success with getting those notes from that sister yet?...not that I'm desparate for it of course ;)


Any sightings of this missing sister lately? Do you think its about time we got Mulder and Scully on the case?  8-)



wlm :)

Re: question to the youth
Saleema
04/25/01 at 22:34:34
Assalam ualykum,

Learner, you were supposed to get that info??? LOL I gave it to someone else from the board and I wondered to this day what happened to him? Why he didn't say something to my email? I thought i made him angry or something and so that's why he didn't reply cuz i thought I had a heated discussion with you. Did i ever have a heated discussion with you? And I thought that guy was pretty young. And you aren't young are you?

expect an email this weekend.
Re: question to the youth
BroHanif
04/30/01 at 06:33:41
A.W.W.,

Sr Saleema and to all others,

Facilities for the youth: well here is my two pence worth. Where I live (UK) there is a great need to do something for the youth. The youth I see as priceceless gems of this world, why? because they are the backbone to every society, I see them as a priceless product because it is the youth that will change the course of any country. Look at the likes of Fatimah Radiallaho Anha. Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Anas, Ayesha Radiallaho Anha, Khalid Bin Walid, Imam Bukhari, Imam Malik, Imam Abu Hanifa, Ibne Taymiyah, Ibne Jose etc etc. The list can go on and on but one thing was they they in their teens/youth and they supported Islaam when it could have tarnished very easliy. These were the young gems of the world who made a change in their lives for the good of Islaam.

Sadly nowadays, Islaam is seen as worshipping the creator five times a day, fast, zakaat and hajj. Many towns and cities have no real programme of how to propel Islaam forward. So they hold talks in the Masjids every now and then or have conferences where people get together and say yeah man that was kinda kewl talk on Islaam. However, when you ask for social programmes at the mosque they'll tell you its harram, tell them about drugs and alcohol abuse in young kids and then they'll say oh its the upbringing of the parents that has gone wrong, tell these very people about having relationships oh yeah thats big time haraam.
Our youth are turning away from Islaam because there is no general structure to support their creative brains. Kids aren't going to do something if they find it boring and sadly many of us have made Islaam mundane by not supporting activites like camping, football, physical fitness, home work clubs, help in computers (maths and sciences).  If you try to start activities in the mosque then the community will come down on you like this guy or gal is only after power, so no we are not going to do anything like social classes. How pathetic I say.

We need to understand and recognise that Islaam is more than prayers, fasting, hajj and zakat. Islaam is complete surrender to the one and only. Therefore we need to change the whole structure of the community we need to work together, United we stand, United we fall. We need programmes that encourage the growth of Islaam and that can be done many ways for example, in teaching have the posts open to muslim women, so they can teach our sisters, more women in the professional practice for example dentists, doctors, gynecoligists, social workers etc. We need men who are good role models who our youth can turn to and solve many of thier problems not somebody who just leads prayers in the mosque and is not concerned about the welfare of the congreation. Have programmes that encourage people to come to the mosque for example, developing web sites, help in their homework or just have a chat with a kewl brother or sister, and Insha-allah when they hear the Azaan they will say yeah, I'll pray as well, make dua to the creator and ask for my needs.

If we want to live in Europe or America or anywhere else in the world, then we must make a change for the good of Islaam, just as their are many leaves on the tree there are many forms of Dawah (invite people to good and forbid evil). Islaam and only Islaam has the answer to the current worlds problems, from Abortion to Terrorism everything can be solved through the practicality and simplicity of the truth i.e. Islaam.

Sadly, our youth are in the bars / clubs drinking alcohol, they've become pimps, drug dealers and general misfits of society. And we have no one to blame but ourselves.


Salaam

Allah knows best.
Re: question to the youth
Learner
05/02/01 at 07:07:39
wlm  :)


[quote]Did i ever have a heated discussion with you?[/quote]
Hmmmm....ermmm...no comment ;-D

[quote]And I thought that guy was pretty young. And you aren't young are you?[/quote]

:O  Of course I'm young, I haven't even reached my 45th birthday yet?   :D  

[quote]expect an email this weekend.[/quote]
Unfortunately, nothing as of yet. But I'm sure it will reach me by tonight, right?  ;)


wlm  :)

Re: question to the youth
Saleema
05/02/01 at 10:18:16
[slm]

ok. so i did have a heated discussion with u. maybe that's why i didn't send it. sorry. i forgot.  :( too many things going on in my life. I forgot to study for today's test and so i didn't even bother to spend too much time taking it and that's why i'm here. something very importans is going on right now with me and everything is in chaos....

if by tonight i find what i want then i will start replying to everyone's mails including urs.or better yet why don't i just give u her email address?

[wlm]
Saleema
Re: question to the youth
Arsalan
05/02/01 at 12:38:52
May Allah help you Saleema ...
Re: question to the youth
Learner
05/02/01 at 17:07:30
[quote]May Allah help you Saleema ... [/quote]

Ameeeeeeeeen!
Re: question to the youth
dolunay
10/23/01 at 15:46:20
Modified message by dolunay
Re: question to the youth
dolunay
10/23/01 at 15:46:54
Modified message by dolunay
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/08/01 at 14:38:14
[slm]

Hey, what did I do? I'm confused???

[wlm]
Re: question to the youth
dolunay
10/23/01 at 15:47:42
Modified message by dolunay
Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/08/01 at 16:53:37
[slm]

*What* do you want from me? *Who* are you? ):(

You, mister, are making me *very* angry. If you have a problem with me, then come out and *say* it for God's sake! Either instant message me or say it on here, I don't care! Just say it or keep it to yourself and please don't confuse me. What do you want? Who are you? I don't know you, you are new to the board--I possibly couldn't have offended you in any post. If I have, please forgive me, tell me what it was and I will delete it. *But* be clear and *say* it! Stop playing games with me.

[wlm]
Re: question to the youth
flyboy_nz
10/08/01 at 17:24:02
[slm]

whoa hey Sis Saleema, looks to me to be some kinda miscommunication/missunderstanding here. Try not to let emotions get the better of you.

I think this is an excellent topic- doing more for the youth...maybe I'm biased becoz I'm one of 'em....but there is a chasm between the generations of old and young.  Things aren't how they used to be in the good ol' days and if the elders can come to terms with that then it'll be the first step.  I guess we need to first convince them there is a problem with our youth.  We need to gather information, statistics and so on to present our case.  Next step is to ask them if they have an answer, if no... then suggest your solution and get them to discuss that..try to make it like it was their idea instead of yours and then close in for the kill and get them to put their full support behind it.

now I'm not saying this is going to be a piece of cake... from my experience the elders are a diverse bunch with different agendas and big egos to back 'em...theres a great deal of politics involved and a little bit of training in psychology goes a long way.  

but stay within the guidelines of Quraan and Sunnah, make dua to Allah and inshaAllah things will be made easy for you.

Our Masjid has a pool table and a library and there are regular gatherings for men and womens groups and well as boys and girls youth groups....a lot more needs to be done and hey a big screen TV would be awesome! :D hmmm maybe i should put a proposal together for that?

Bro Hanif, your post was excellent! I totally agree, we need to do such more than the basics.

wasalaam,
Ahmed
Re: question to the youth
dolunay
10/23/01 at 15:49:26
Modified message by dolunay


Re: question to the youth
Saleema
10/09/01 at 10:10:22
[slm]

I'm still confused??? I never said you were not a brother in Islam, and there's nothing worng with the term "mister," although i admit it was used here in a harsh way. i apologize. anyway, let's just drop this cuz i don't know what you are talking about.

you have a nice ramadan with you family also.

[wlm]
Re: question to the youth
dolunay
10/23/01 at 15:50:00
Modified message by dolunay


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