Purpose

Question for everybody, please respond.

What is the purpose of having a youth group??Why are we doing what we are doing?

cause we like to party

1.) Actually, I agree with you Ailya. Let's face it, we're limited socially in our daily lives concerning people of other faiths. We don't go to sleepovers, soemtimes Muharram stops us from going to a birthday party, or our parents don't want us to hang out with our friends outside of a school environment. BUT, this doesn't apply to other muslims. This group is a way to reclaim some of that lost social energy.
2.) We want a voice. I can't speak for everyone, of course, but I'm ready to step up to the plate and help out around Zainabia. We have a lot of cursory things that need to get done which the adults simply don't have time for because they have to manage the business, legal, and financial aspects. We, although busy, can scrape up a weekend or two every two months or so and fix stuff up around Zainabia while also hanging out and having fun in an Islamic environment.

I know it sounds corny and cliche'd, but we really can get stuff done. I see churches with youth soccer leages and I wonder why we cant have one too for the little kids. We could have a youth night every month or so when we could all go bowling or something else fun.

At least, that's why I'm here.

good answer Ali...

Thats how we start off... build social proximity within our muslim community.

But in a larger and national scene how do we come off as muslims?? By building a strong community?? By giving back to society through charities and community service??

Those are all great things and very mustahab if not wajib upon us. What gives us the motivation to do those things though?? to show we are not short of any other christian, jewish community?? or is it more??

One step at a time, bro. First we need to get a sense of purpose in this group; (which I take is what this thread is for) we need the members to see it as something tangible, not 'just another thing' from Zainabia. [I propose we make T-shirts]

My motivation? Tough one, I'll have to think some on that. Easy answer is for Allah though. Heaven is a place I'd really like to visit. You know, eternally.

Anyone else want to share their thoughts?

Definitely!!
We need to develop ourselves islamically. Being good community leaders is not enough without the faith and commitment of your religion.

Also, let's gradually start to discuss islamic issues/practices that affect us and we need solutions in. If we cannot or do not understand something, we will 'Ask those who Know" - The Scholars!

because of Allah

and kids should learn more about ISLAM

and we are like family

couldnt have said it better.

Ali wrote:

[I propose we make T-shirts]

...dude i could draw some really cool designs for the t-shirt...i had the "coexist" symbol in mind...i'll put up a pic if i can find it

that is a sweet pic.. good idea for the shirt symbol too :-)

Definately a good symbol. It's got my vote...good idea Ailya!

...Does this mean we're getting t-shirts?

ok so i was thinking either a black or green t-shirt....any other ideas?? i can draw up a sketch later when i have some time and i'll post it....i need some input!

boomchakalaka!

that a cool symbol..ive seen it ona shirts before..we should do green..ive had too much black already (thanks to muharram) haha .. unless u want ot make it a yr round color..yhen u might wan tto stick with black. Or maybe u could do dark blue. anyways, cant wait to see ur sketch.

i'm not sure if we can do the coexist because its copyrighted

i'll think of something...does anyone have any objections to tie-dye?

Ailyaa wrote:

i'm not sure if we can do the coexist because its copyrighted

i'll think of something...does anyone have any objections to tie-dye?

Everyone has objections to tye-dye. I think the picture was copyrighted, not the symbol itself..

tye dye??

we want something universal, maybe something you could also wear in muharram... or community service events.

A lot of people avoid groups with tye dye, thinking they're from activist groups.

tie dye is a no no .. lol .. BIG no no .. we need somehtign universal and that is good symbolism for what we reoresent (the coexist idea was great), and we also need somehting that will make others take us seriously (tie dye cant do that)

Black shirt, with a white logo: simple, yet effective. I think we can ustill use the coexist logo unless its really already a logo and copyrighted. (Which I doubt, because it was just written on someone's back...)

ok... so Tosif Bhai and I think that we should hold a t-shirt design competition, where hopefull all the younger kids can also participate. and it would be fairly fun (if I say so for myself)

Colors are gonna be generic, because we are trying to get the cheapest price out there. Black with white text/design, Green with white text or design, or white with any one color on it. Thats not final, but those are some ideas I'm throwing out there.

Also, we need somewhere on there the Zainabia name.

How many are good with the logo we have now?

Ali wrote:

coexist logo unless its really already a logo and copyrighted. (Which I doubt, because it was just written on someone's back...)

i used that pic of the coexist symbol cause i liked that picture the best, but i'm almost 99% sure that its copyrighted, but i'll check....i like the contest idea

i would where the t shirts
____________________________________
It's 'wear', not 'where' Shazad.
-Ali

I believe there are 3 responsibilities of all muslims.
1. Self Building
2. Community Building
3. Nation Building.

All of those have to be done in that specific order. Currently we are struggling with the first one. What we are doing is community building, which cannot have strong roots unless the individuals are not prepared. We must remember, we are first muslims, and then members of an islamic community. It is imperative that we undertake Islamic learning, as opposed to just continuing traditions as they have been imposed upon us by our parents, as far Alhamdulilla, but now its our responsibility. It was a different environment for them growing up in the east. Mashallah, they have done alot to establish centers and continue those traditions. But as time goes on things will change. Let us be the generation which will take our islamic community to the next step.