Since its creation in 2001, the Muslim American Society (MAS) Youth Committee at the Islamic Center of Passaic County (ICPC) is led by youth for the youth. The Committee works to develop the character of our community’s youth so that they may become the leading and active members of our society and, in turn, positively impact others. The Committee works for this goal by planning, organizing and executing a comprehensive program of activities and events aimed at attracting youth to the Mosque, fostering Muslim brotherhood and positive self-development:
Life Skills Workshops
These workshops aim to provide our youth with necessary skills to enable them to lead a positive and productive life. These include leadership, time management, college preparation, teamwork, etc.
Youth Lecture Series
Youth Lecture Series are either weekly or bi-weekly series that can run from a month’s time to four month’s time. These series usually combine a comprehensive set of activities that aim to increase Islamic knowledge and understanding, positive self-development and brotherhood. Series topics may include Seerah (the Life of the Prophet (pbuh), Islamic culture/knowledge, etc.
Itikaf
Itikafs are overnight spiritually intensive events that we hold once a month. These are meant to provide an opportunity for our youth to strengthen the spiritual component of their lives. These events also allow our youth to bond with each other and develop lasting friendships.
Special Outings
These monthly outings are meant to bring a large number of youth together as they enjoy themselves in a day of fun in a healthy Islamic environment. These outings include, ice skating, bowling, swimming, sports, etc.
Sports
Sports are always a good way for youth to have fun and develop healthy bonds in a healthy and nurturing Islamic environment.
Community Service
Community service events are aimed at encouraging and nurturing the sense of responsibility among youth that creates a feeling of ownership for the society they live in. This creates a sense of activism among the youth as they work to give back to their communities. These community service events include visiting soup kitchens, community cleanup, youth center cleanup, etc.
Team-Based Competitions
These are comprehensive programs that include youth splitting into teams as they compete to win. An example of this was the Summer 05 Youth Halalooza Program in which over fifty youth were split into five teams and competed to earn the most number of points by the end of the summer. Points can be earned for attending events such as workshops, community service activities, Itikafs, prayer, sports competitions, fund-raising efforts, etc. The winning team members each received a free computer. The second place team members received free tickets to a NJ Nets Game.
Summer Youth Camps
The Summer youth camps are week long camps that bring together over 100 youth from many Islamic Centers and masajid together for a week full of fun, tarbiyeh, and brotherhood. Many activitied take place in these camps such as swimming, boating, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, daily khatiras and lessons after salah, and many other activities.
