Bism’Allah

alimy — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:41:52 +0000

ALIMY (A Leadership Institute for Muslim Youths) is a summer program designed for young Muslimahs ages 14 to 17. In a safe and supportive environment, young women develop a greater sense of understanding, ownership, and pride in the American Muslim identity.

Program Dates: June 23rd to July 2nd

Through ALIMY, participants will insh’Allah, gain inspiration to maintain balance in their day to day lives through their Islamic practices and remembraance of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. They will enjoy activities specially designed to broaden their knowledge of Islam, develop leadership skills, and make lasting friendships. Activities and lifestyle are based on the Shari’ah and Sunnah.
Through ALIMY, participants will insh’Allah:

Expand practical knowledge of Islam and self-confidence in their identiy as a practicing Muslim the in U.S.
Enhance leadership, cultural sensitivity, and dialogue skills.
Build skills in expressing the beauty of Islam through word and action.
Relax in a healthy, protected retreat in the country, among new friends enjoying sports, crafts, and nature.
Explore roles Muslim youth can take in their communities.
Build lasting friendships around common values.

“And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your languages and your colors; Verily in that are signs for those who know.” (Qur’an 30:22)

Alumni Ara Friedman

alimy — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:53:32 +0000

ALIMY provided a microcosm of the Muslim Community in America and as a participant, I was able to get to know many Muslims from different backgrounds. We had the shared experience of being a young Muslima in America but we each brought different backgrounds and experiences to the table. Through ALIMY’s structured workshops and fun activities, we were able to learn from each other and form friendships at the same time. The workshops directly addressed issues that we were facing as young American muslims and helped us develop tools to deal with these issues. Through role-plays and other activities, we were able to practice our responses to difficult situations that we might encounter and this better developed my ability to maintain my Muslim identity in the greater American society. We also had Q & A with several guest speakers and I still remember some of the answers that Hajjah Noura Durkee gave even though it was over 8 years ago!

Alumni Soraya Salam

alimy — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 01:06:51 +0000

“I was blessed with the extraordinary opportunity of attending a program as fun, educational, and empowering as ALIMY. I was exposed to the true meaning of sisterhood through group-building activities, engaging arts and crafts, inspiring workshops, deep conversations, and more. In a closed community setting, complete with hiking trails, soccer fields, and beautiful scenery, I also gained a greater appreciation of nature and physical activity. ALIMY is a camp experience I would recommend to young girls from all walks of life, as it transcends racial, cultural, and ethnic boundaries by promoting an all-encompassing American Muslim identity.

I am glad that I was exposed to ALIMY as a young Muslim, as it presented Islamic education in a more enjoyable way and had an effect on my adolescent development, both mentally and spiritually. Learning does not have to be through books and lectures alone, but through shared experiences, fun extracurricular activities, cultural nights, talent shows, and late-night whispers with other girls dedicated to strengthening their Muslim identities in a world full of distractions.”

Alumni Saara Taylor

alimy — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:31:01 +0000

I learned a lot about the foundations of Islam and global topical issues that relate to Muslims and women. We had daily workshops, group discussions, Qur’an classes, lectures from guest speakers.

The most memorable part of the program for me was the opportunity to have candid discussions with other Muslimahs my age and older. This came about through structured time and spontaneously. I remember once we were asked to write down any questions or general topics that we had to pose to the group and then everyone could have a chance to weigh in on the topic. We discussed these questions in a “coffeehouse” environment. It was very stimulating and enlightening to hear my peers and those older than me give their answers. We talked about a wide range of subjects from arranged marriage and expectations of Muslim men compared to women to politics. This type of environment is closely related to why the program is important, creating a sense of camaraderie and familiarity among young Muslim women is invaluable to creating a stronger sense of self and fostering self-confidence in who they are and what they believe in.

My favorite and most memorable part of ALIMY is that I really appreciated and valued the opportunity to meet and share experiences with young Muslim girls that were my age. There was a common foundation of Islam that was a very good basis for friendship. Sharing stories and learning about the lives of other Muslim girls was a thread through each of the years that I attended ALIMY and what I value the most from the program. I certainly learned a lot through the more academic and educational elements of the program but in my heart I appreciated being in the camp environment with all Muslim girls.

ALIMY is an important program for American Muslims, in particular this generation, because it is a very confusing time to have the responsibility of representing Islam in America respectfully and with the right adab. It is not an easy role and having a strong peer relationship with other American Muslims is invaluable. Another important aspect of the program is the role model/mentor element of the counselors and others involved in the day to day workings of the program.