The youth in this city have proved time and time again that they are the future and they are ready to take on the challenges facing our brethren.
PAST
Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, this city has seen such growth from a youth perspective; I must say I was so proud and honored to work with so many brothers and sisters. One year ago, on May 15, 2010 I decided to accept a contract to provide youth services to the Muslims in Calgary funded by the Muslim Council of Calgary. As a Canadian certified counsellor and registered provisional psychologist, I aim to continue to give the Muslim youth of this city the utmost in professional services. Be it, proactive life skills programs like study skills, time management, procrastination, career fairs and many other workshops (now under the name of Academic Basics and Community Development (ABCD)), or advocacy initiatives like the Youth PRIDE and fREADom fighters (under the banner of Calgary Muslim Youth for Human Rights), or leadership programs, crime and victim prevention initiatives, and of course Islamic programs like the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad and other Prophets and more.
PRESENT
Currently, my efforts and support from the MCC and affiliates have led me to be in charge of the Muslim Youth Centre and lead the steering committee in achieving our vision. This is a place that belongs to youth and will in sha Allah stay that way with support from our elders. The youth in this city have proved time and time again that they are the future and they are ready to take on the challenges facing our brethren. To this end, I am going to focus much more on mentoring the future leaders towards champion-hood and Excellence (IHSAN). Unfortunately, what was missing from all this was strong parental involvement. To remedy this, we have adopted a new way of doing things to ensure sustainability, accountability, and inclusivity. From now on I intend to solicit information from the parents and youth first, and then establish programs. Fill out this form if you are a parent or youth who wants to register their children/self in a program that works for you, not what works for us.
FUTURE
Only Allah knows what the future will hold, but it is my goal to not only help Muslim youth feel like they belong to society, but to inspire them to know that society belongs to them.
With your help and support for local initiatives; especially the fundrainsing for the NW and South Masajid, I know this will be possible because Allah has promised it when he says:
39. That man can have nothing but what he strives for; 40. That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight: 41. Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
I remain, your brother in Islam, Mahdi J. Qasqas
