Muslim Youth Services: Progress & Plans

Muslim Womens activities overview(PowerPoint)

 

The Muslim Youth Services (MYServices) division of Al-Nisa Youth Group Inc. was established in April 2007 to undertake the pilot Muslim Youth and Community Development Project (formerly known as the Muslim Youth Workers Project). The project is funded by the Department of Communities, under the Queensland Government’s Muslim Community Engagement Strategy, initiated by the National Action Plan 2005.

 

The primary objectives of the Muslim Youth and Community Development Project are, to assist young Muslims in the Greater Brisbane Region to feel accepted and valued as part of the Australian community; to create and deliver effective responses to the specific needs of young Muslims; to reduce the barriers of inclusion and engagement of Muslim youth in the social life of the Queensland community; and to promote a wider sense of acceptance and understanding in the broader community.

This booklet briefly outlines the progress of the Muslim Youth and Community Development Project in its direct service delivery phase (of 13 months) – which commenced in July 2007 – and some of the impending developmental strategies proposed by MYServices.

 

Servicing the needs of Muslim Youth

 

According to the 2006 census, there are almost 350 000 Muslims in Australia, of which 48.72% are under 25 years of age. 41.35% of Queensland’s Muslim residents are below 25, the vast majority of which reside in the Greater Brisbane Region.

To assess the needs of Muslim youth, MYServices firstly conducted a scoping exercise, building upon the findings of the Muslim Youth Summit, which was completed in early 2007 by Al-Nisa’. Ongoing consultations with youth, community leaders and community service providers constituted of written and verbal feedback, roundtable discussions, forums, and of one to one and group consultations.

Outcomes yielded a cocktail of issues, some of which were raised in the Youth Summit Report and others previously not raised by Muslim youth, service providers, educational institutes and labour market participants. These generic and specific themes have been broken up into the following categories; MYServices’ responses to these issues also follow.

 

1. Discrimination and vilification on the basis of religion or race, causing a lost sense of identity and feeling of unacceptance by the Australian community – call for Islamic awareness in the broader community and increased dialogue

MYServices seeks to instil a proud sense of identity in the Muslim youth we have worked with; by implementing some recommendations of the recent research on the identity of Brisbane’s Muslim youth . Recommendations implemented by MYServices include, taking active roles (particularly in the youth and community service sectors) by visiting schools, church groups and various service providers to create awareness about Islam and Muslims, thereby promoting acceptance and an appreciation of Muslim youth in the mainstream community.

 

The Winning Hearts, Changing Minds: Youth

Dialogues initiative encourages young participants to engage in dialogue and deliberate preconceived beliefs about the ‘other’, in a mutually respectful manner. Typically, a dialogue session consists of a group of Muslim youth, and a group of other youth from different religious, cultural or socio-economic backgrounds. Through the youth dialogues, young people not only bridge the cultural misunderstanding gap, but also learn communication skills.

“I liked coming to a much clearer understanding about the entire Islamic culture and the friendliness of the people who came to share. We definitely need more time in the future, I would like to learn more.”
 ~ Participant, age 19

“What I got out of the dialogue was that we are all the same. Their personalities are so similar to ours and it’s awesome to know. They were so open about everything and so down to earth. Certainly broke down lots of barriers and fears. I would really like to talk with more Muslims.”
~ Participant, age 19

 

“They were actually interested in finding out the facts about Muslims. I now understand why they have the misconceptions they had [about Muslims] – it’s not because they are bad people, just uninformed.”
~ Muslim participant, age 20

 

“Our daughter, E., is amazed to have met you. You are the first Muslim she has met. She came home and shared her experience of interacting with a Muslim, with the family. She now challenges what she hears in the news about Muslims; we are thrilled as we want our kids to be accepting of other cultures. Thank you!”
~ Parent of a Year 10 student

 

MYServices also provides organisations and service providers with cultural and religious training in order to build the capacity of the current service system to be more culturally responsive to the needs of Muslims.

“I really appreciated the openness by the [MYServices] presenters, and the value of the information presented! Thanks for the practical strategies about interacting with Muslim clients. I would love to learn more.” ~ Attendee, youth services sector

 

“Your presentation was very informative and clarified many issues for us. We appreciate the guidance you provided in regard to cultural beliefs and practices. This helps us feel more confident that our interactions will be sensitive to the needs of the young girl, and at all times respectful to her family.”
 ~ Attendee, mental health professional

“MYServices and Imam [Imran Hussein]: You opened our eyes. You gave us a different perspective of Muslim people. You taught us not to believe everything we read in the paper or hear in the news. We can’t thank you enough!”

~ Group of Gold Coast Years 8 and 9 students

“When I walked in, I was expecting to get nothing. What I got out of the dialogue is that we as Christians need to open our eyes more.”
 ~ Attendee, church group

One of the other ways through which MYServices promotes acceptance of Muslim youth by mainstream Australians, is by encouraging talented, yet previously unrecognised young Muslims in particular, who have a passion to make a difference - to participate in Islamically-appropriate ‘mainstream’ youth leadership development programs. This year MYServices sponsored two Muslim youth, determined to positively portray Islam and Muslims in Australia in a positive light.

 

Omar Issadeen, 23, was sponsored for the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP), a civics education and youth engagement forum which brings together a Youth Member from each of the 89 electorates in Queensland Parliament.

Hamdi Aden, 20, was sponsored for the Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference (AMUNC) held in Adelaide. AMUNC is a leading international student event hosted annually, established with a vision to promote the values of the United Nations and provide tertiary students an opportunity to develop their communication skills and networks.

Young Muslims have reported a sense of pride on seeing their peers represented as role models contributing to the Australian society, without compromising on their religious identity.

 “What?? Who would have thought a young bearded hafiz-ul-Quran [committed the Quran to memory] in a jubbah [traditional Arab men’s robe] would make it to [Youth] Parliament?” ~ Young Muslim male, age 17

“I was so proud to see a hijabi [head scarf-clad] girl elected as Youth Premier [of Queensland Youth Parliament] reported in the paper. This shows other Aussies that Muslims aren’t bums, we are high achievers, and do contribute.”

~ Young Muslim female, age 16

 

MYServices-sponsored youth reported an increased sense of belonging in the wider Australian community and increased self-confidence, by participating in ‘mainstream’ youth development programs.

“Participating in the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is an experience that has made me more confident and approachable. As a relatively new Muslim in Australia I had the opportunity to meet and understand Australians and their culture up close. This has improved my understanding of people in this country and also my confidence to engage in dialogue with them. I especially recommend this program to individuals who feel aloof or unwelcome in Australia.

Without the MYServices sponsorship, the QYP program would not have been the same. Besides always keeping the housekeeping done, they opened avenues such as media exposure that I was previously unfamiliar with. MYServices sponsored me in this program with no strings attached, they made me feel comfortable participating as who I am, not as who they want. I am grateful to the MYServices team for providing me with this opportunity.

 

Being unique in appearance [Islamic robe and cap] I was a representative of the entire Muslim community. Many Muslims not so in tune with politics think I'm running to be Prime Minister! Others including the organisers and participants from QYP are really proud that they have been able to diversify their program to suit anyone. My parents and family overseas are all proud and hope that someday their children too will be able to be representatives like myself.”

 ~ Omar Issadeen, Youth Member for Springwood

“I found the Model United Nations conference was a great opportunity for me to develop a diverse range of communication, research, teamwork, leadership, networking and critical thinking skills, as well as learning about the reality of multilateral politics and the UN.

 

As part of the General Assembly's third committee representing India,  I had  the opportunity to not only debate world issues and attempt to come up with working resolutions, but also to improve my  public speaking and negotiating skills.

My colleagues and I are very fortunate to have the honour and prestige of hosting AMUNC 09 at the University of Queensland for what promises to be a wonderful show case of great speakers, events and atmosphere.”
~ Hamdi Aden, Adelaide AMUNC 2008 delegate

 

1. Lack of recreational opportunities, for young Muslim women in particular

Due to the religious requirements of modesty pertaining to Muslim women, many young Muslim women do not partake in recreational activities in schools and public. To tackle this concern, MYServices assisted Youth Affairs Network of Queensland with their research report, Young Muslim Women’s Participation in Sports and Recreation (2008). Following a recommendation from the report, early this year MYServices formed the Muslim Women Sports Action Group, consisting of representatives of various interested organisations,

to implement the recommendations of the report.

The Action Group has since put on a number of recreational activities for Muslim women and young women including, swimming, ice skating, canoeing, outrigger canoeing, dragon-boating, horse riding, a fitness boot camp and Jazzercise, and a Girls Day Camp which included kayaking, abseiling and archery.

 

“We got to do something completely different! Thanks so much for providing Muslim girls with this opportunity.” ~ Young Muslim female, 19

“It was all excellent! Just next time we could go jet-skiing with non-Muslim girls, so that they get a chance to get to know Muslim girls in a fun way.”
~ Young Muslim female, 17

Main objectives of the Action Group include, providing sustainable and affordable recreational opportunities for Muslim women; fostering partnerships with sporting clubs and educating clubs on the requirements of Muslim women; adapting existing women’s recreational programs to suit Muslim women that will allow them to access appropriate mainstream programs, with other women – thereby creating another platform for cultural exchange.

 

“It was all so much fun; the [club] volunteers were sensitive and friendly. You have done a great job, giving women the opportunity to get out there and get physical and socially educated. Good on you!!” ~ Muslim female, age 33

 

“To be quite honest, we did not know what to expect [of instructing Muslims]. Naturally, we were hesitant of the unknown but keen to open our doors to different cultures. It was amazing! I feel we learnt a lot as well. Our girls [club volunteers] had just as much fun as the Muslim women.” ~ Instructor

“I swear by God, you are the best group we have ever instructed. We are glad you came.” ~ Instructor

Younger youth related that the recreational activities provided them with an opportunity to bond with older youth in the Muslim community from various ethnic backgrounds, and observe how ‘gracefully older Muslim youth cope with the challenges of being a Muslim youth in Australia today, and how well they manage to merge their proud Aussie and Muslim identities simultaneously’. From those relaxed interactions with older youth, young women of high school ages in particular, have reported that they feel more confident about identifying themselves as both Muslim and Australian in public with pride, through dress and dialogue.

 

“As the older girls have experienced a lot as practicing Muslims [in Australia], we feel comfortable around them and consider them to be our older sisters. Spending time with them helps our confidence because we don't feel shy around them and feel as though we can express our feelings and opinions freely and comfortably."
~Young Muslim female, age 14

 

“What I liked best is that it [Girls Day Camp], for me, wasn’t just about having fun, but I got to know many different [young] sisters from various backgrounds, people I wouldn’t have normally met. I’m glad the older girls came and talked to us.”
 ~ Young Muslim female, age 15

“The best thing [about the Boys Camp] was the bonding with other Muslim brothers I didn’t know.” ~ Young Muslim male, age 18

 

Lack of recreational opportunities among young Muslim males, is not an issue. Where sporting activities (targeted at Muslim males only) are held to ‘involve’ young Muslim men, young men have expressed they feel such events are only ‘band aid solutions’, and fail to really address underlying issues. In an attempt to bring together and listen to the underlying concerns directly from young Muslim men of various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, MYServices held a discussion forum in a form of a barbeque. During the preparation of the event, all attendees were assured that anonymity of names and occupations would be of utmost importance.  This was one of the challenges we faced as there was a lack of confidence within the youth, due to the fact that in the past, many youth have been promised with anonymity but have felt deceived, when such ‘promises’ weren’t kept. The most prominently recurring issues raised are highlighted in point iii) below.

 

To engage young Muslim men isolated from the wider community, MYServices has held a number of activities including a Boys Camp to Fraser Island, and a Pool Night. These successfully brought together a number of Muslim and non Muslim young men, promoting dialogue and cultural exchange. The Boys Camp also sought to connect Muslim young men with Islamic principles in practice.

 

“What I liked best was the atmosphere, the company of the different ethnicities and religions.”
~ Young Muslim male, age 24

 

            “[I started] practising my five times prayers regularly with other brothers.”
~ Young Muslim male, age 22

1. Lack of faith in the Australian government’s Foreign Policy and anti terror laws

 

We seem to have identified a particularly strong cause of disappointment amongst young Muslims (males and females) towards the Australian Foreign Policy.  There is a perceived “double standard” in the Foreign Policy. This appears to have gained a significant level of concern among many Muslim youth, who view Australia’s policies towards bias favour of Israel, over the Israel/Palestinian human rights issues. The Foreign Policy’s approach towards Iraq and Afghanistan is seen as demonising Islam. This has created a concern that there is a lack of faith in the Australian government amongst young Muslims.

            "The government wants us to integrate; they want us to accept everything they do. Yet when it comes to Palestine they have outright double standards.  When it comes to the rights of Palestinians the government is outright hypocritical.  When it comes to Iraq or Afghanistan, the government is there to stop terrorism.  What about the Israeli acts of terrorism that happen everyday; and the government celebrates their 60th occupation.  How can we accept such double standards which directly affect us?"

~ Young Muslim male, age 19

 

There also appears to be some resentment among many young Muslims opposed to the governments’ anti-terror measures to fight extremism.  Although there is acceptance that measures need to be taken to curb terrorist activity, it is believed that the proposals will be abused and used indiscriminately against the law-abiding Muslim community, as observed in the local Dr Mohamed Haneef case.

“My brother has been pulled up so many times that you’d be an idiot to believe its ‘random checks’- he looks very Muslim. Especially after the Haneef case, my parents are so anxious about our safety outside, that they are even considering moving back to [country of origin] after living here for almost two decades. I was born here, this is my country but with so much ‘scrutiny’ I feel unwelcome in my own country.”

Young Muslim female, age 17

 

"We feel that we are being targeted, the spotlight is on us.  If a non-Muslim is caught with any "explosives" or "ammunition" or does anything [illegal], they are not tried under the terror laws, however if we’re caught with a sim card, we’re in for it.  It's scary; we know it’s unjust because there have been many cases.  I am constantly paranoid that they can pin me with absolutely anything if they wanted to."
~Young Muslim male, age 22

 

For the above two concerns, we strongly believe an in-depth research needs to conducted to examine the extent of these realities and their impact on Muslim youth.  

It should also be noted that another related concern that Muslim youth repeatedly raise, is the effect that the media has on public servants in dealing with Muslims; in particular, some politicians, some policy-makers, and some members of the police, making “uneducated and stupid remarks about Islam, hijab and Shariah”. The issue here is their portrayal of Islam’s association with and the threat to national safety, thereby creating fear of Muslims in the public mind.

 

“We understand they [media] are a profit making organisation, I know they propagate what sells.  But, without naming some newspapers and private television companies - they are contributing extremely negatively to creating a "fear" of Muslims, they are dividing the country apart, and the politicians ride on it."
~ Young Muslim male, age 23

 

“The media has a huge role to play in creating fear and hate of Muslims. At the shops my [head scarf-clad] aunt was spat at and told to go back to where she comes from. Funnily enough, she [my aunt] is an Anglo Australian. The woman who spat at her had hate in her eyes, she was a sophisticatedly dressed 50 something year old. Now that’s even worse. For how long, in the name of so-called free-speech do we have to put up with the hate the media breeds?”
Young Muslim female, age 16

 

1. Confusion on dealing  with the challenges they face as young Australian Muslims – call for leadership development, mentoring, Islamic guidance, closing the ‘generation-gap’

The upcoming Muslim Youth Leadership Development program aims to provide Muslim youth with specific soft skills and leadership skills that will help them to better handle the challenges they face as young Australian Muslims. Some topics covered in the interactive program include: interpersonal skills, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, public speaking, positively dealing with discrimination, anger management, motivating and inspiring others, assertiveness skills, self-confidence etc. Community and youth input into the Muslim Youth Leadership Development program was being sought through an online survey as this went to print.

 

Through the suggestions of younger Muslim youth, MYServices will be facilitating peer-mentoring forums or halaqas, bringing together older youth (who are seen as confident role models) to support younger youth in effectively dealing with the challenges they have faced and overcame, as young Australian Muslims. To provide youth with guidance on applying Islamic principles in dealing with contemporary challenges, these are also intended to be co-facilitated by youth-friendly Imams and community elders.

 

Similar forums are planned be held with community leaders and other well-respected members of the Muslim community, to promote intergenerational dialogue with Muslim youth, which will be an informal avenue of exchange to promote mutual understanding between generations. To provide specific religious guidance on contemporary issues, some of these halaqas are intended to be co-facilitated by Imams.

 

Other Islamic guidance workshops planned to be delivered in partnership with Imams include: Interacting with (non-Muslims, Islamic history, and Islamic environmental responsibility. Again, these have been requested by young Muslims or community leaders.

Other skill-building and educational workshops on the agenda that will be delivered in partnership by various community organisations include: media workshops – aimed at equipping youth in appropriately interacting with the media to have their voices heard; a Rights at Work workshop – aimed to educate young workers about their rights in the workplace; and a Budgeting workshop, to assist youth in financial management.

 

Career mentoring for disadvantaged Muslim youth, is a program that MYServices has been working on for quite some time with a few organisations. The mentoring program was initially intended to roll out mid 2008; however, due to a number of challenges, this program has taken longer than initially anticipated. The program is now intended to be delivered in February 2009, in partnership with Muslim Business Network and The Smith Family.

1. Information, referral and individual support

 

MYServices is often called on, by youth and community services, to provide information and individual support to Muslim youth. Where we are unable or unqualified to provide the required assistance, young people and community members, we liaise with the relevant community services that assist in those specific areas, and refer. These range from family troubles, drug and alcohol issues, education, health issues, and Centrelink-related issues.

Some of the young people have been quite isolated and marginalised from mainstream community. Given the short time MYServices has existed for, we have engaged approximately 300 youth through our programs, individual support and referral in our 13 months of direct service delivery.

 

A note of thanks...

 

MYServices is greatly indebted to the enormous amount of support received from, the literally innumerable, organisations and individuals, from within and outside the Muslim community. We have been humbled by your enthusiasm for the Muslim Youth and Community Development Project. Thank you for joining hands with us to positively impact the lives of Muslims and young Muslims. 

A sincere thank you to all the young people we have worked with. Each of you is truly brilliant and inspiring. Your yearning for change, and optimism for the future motivates us, and your energy charges us! We look forward to continue seeing you blossom into dynamic leaders of tomorrow.

*MYServices is a division of Al-Nisa Youth Group Inc.*