Thursday, September 08, 2005

History of MYNA - Part 10 1990 The Big Change

The Big Change, Part 1, Catalyst for More Success

1990 - (5) Nancy Hanaan Serag is the MYNA chairperson (she is known as “Hanaan” in MYNA). Asim Mohammed is the Central Zone Rep. Zubaid Kazmi is the east zone rep. Altaf Ghori is the West Zone rep. Only one issue of New Dawn is published. MYNA is in deficit according to Anjum Mir’s 1993 piece, which would fit with the Ahmad Zaki leaving period. Imtiaz Ahmed is President of ISNA after Ahmad Zaki Hammad leaves. MYNA resources sent to new units/available at this point include 2 pamphlets, 6 leaflets, MYNA local unit charter papers/folder, the New Dawn Magazine, mailing list access, MYNA slide show, “The Making of MYNA” documentary video tape, the East Zone Newsletter, Paix-The Canadian East Zone Newsletter, Central Expressions-the CZ Newsletter, MYNA Standards, dummy press-releases and fliers, and people are told that they can call the “Continental Office” at ISNA HQ for info. The MYNA Slide Show documentary script on MYNA history is sent by Aimen Mir to someone who requested it.

The Dormitory Youth Camp Project - the project to build a dormitory with meeting and dining facilities could not move forward during 1990-91. Therefore, MYNA Winter Conference participants and some ITC Summer Institute students had to be housed in rented off-site facilities. A portion of the committed funds was actually received, but this amount was not sufficient to begin the project. It is expected that the remaining funds will become available soon, so this much needed project can being. (It’s never completed.)

The Field Youth Leadership Training Conferences (FYLTP) and held for the first time before Aug. [then not held for two years and restarted in 1993]. FYLTP is an “intense leadership training conference and is the primary training program for MYNA officers.” It’s spearheaded by Waheed Mustafa. [It will eventually replace the Continental Winter Conference in terms of being the prime MYNA leadership training event. The Continental Winter Conference finally being cancelled in 1995]. The 1994/95 FYLTP Fundraising packet explains the FYLTP “program objections/mission” as such: “Training young Muslims to be Islamic workers - it’s the only way we can insure the integrity of Islam’s future in North America. Without competent and committed workers, our communities will continue to spiral into chaos rather than evolve into a finely woven tapestry. Where do these workers come from? The Field Youth Leadership Training Program (FYLTP) of the Muslim Youth of North America has been making a contribution since 1990…. Mission: The MYNA Field Youth Leadership Training Program is the primary training program for MYNA office bearers. As committed Muslim youth throughout North America are elected into positions of responsibility, MYNA has an obligation to train them. FYLTP exists to offer some training in the following areas:/p/ 1. understanding servitude to Allah. 2. responsibilities of youth workers. 3. leadership in an Islamic framework. 4. skills and tools for successful Muslim youth work in N.A. 5. introduction to a methodology of seeking Islamic knowledge./p/Furthermore, youth workers are brought together in an Islamic atmosphere to learn about leadership with the guidance of scholars, professional, and experienced field workers. It’s within these programs that the youth are able to assimilate vital skills and network to bridge the gaps that exist between and within communities. They not only benefit as individuals, but their training serves as an investment whose returns are seen immediately in youth work and, Insha’Allah, in the long term as potent leadership for the Islamic community./p/Making an effort to train as many qualified youth as possible, FYLTP policies specifically limit an individuals’ participation to one program during their entire MYNA career unless they happen to be serving on the MYNA executive committee or as a regional representative. Participation, however, is not limited to MYNA members. Qualified youth from other national youth organizations and networks are encouraged to participate.” This may largely reflect the more refined vision of FYLTP’s that exists in 94/95, but it’s probably the gist they had in mind at the start as well. Of attendees/program it says “recruiting conference participants is the responsibility of zonal rep.s and advisors, each zone has been allocated 15 slots and the attendants include the zonal and regional reps, state or city reps (depending on structure), other MYNA office bearers and qualified youth in leadership positions in other Islamic youth organizations. As some zones do not have a well developed field structure, FYLTP invites committed Muslim youth to participate; further helping to strengthen the field./p/ The programs are well balanced with motivational and instructional sessions, interactive workshops, small group study, recreation and creative expression. Consistent with MYNA’s goals, an emphasis is placed on maintenance of an ‘Islamic perspective’ for example, a daily presentation concerning salat immediately before Maghrib, a day of fasting, Qiyam-ul-Lail, a presentation on medical relief work in Muslim countries, a field trip to serve the homeless, etc.” [some abbreviating in the quote.]

1990 – The MYNA of Franklin, MI organize the MYNA Regional Conference which brings over 160 youth attendees, they also hold an auction to raise money for the MYNA Central zone in order to help and support MYNA on the national level.


Feb. 28, 1990 - Press release about their upcoming MYNA Regional Seminar concerning Ramadan and world hunger in March sent out by MYNA Cincinnati Chapter.


March 16, 1990 - MYNA Cincinnati Chapter hosts Seminar concerning Ramadan and world hunger. The event is featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer that day on Pg. D-4 of the Metro section.

Spring 1990 - Vol. III No. 1 of MYNA Central Expression, Central Zone newsletter is published. In it, it mentions that Central Zone activity is so strong that there are pre-youth presentations at the Muslim Youth of North America’s Central Zone Family Camp.

Spring 1990 - MYNA East Zone Newsletter, Vol. 1, Number 1 is published. Najeeba Syeed is East Zone representative.

May 5-6, 1990 – MYNA West Canada Zone Conference takes place in Calgary. Themed “Survival of Youth in North America.” Some of the sessions were Problems Facing Youth in Canada, Solutions to the Problems, Programming Youth Activities in the Communities, and Da’wa Among the Youth. There was also a joint session entitled “how to Save the Next Generation.”

May 18-21, 1990 – Canada East Zone Conference takes place at Brock University, St. Catherine’s, Ontario. Themed “A Muslim Family: Our Youth, Our Call.” This whole conference revolved around youth interest. Issues such as peer pressure, drugs, and alcohol, and other matters were discussed. The sessions included commitment of parents and youth to Islam and Islamic education and youth. The conference ended with a session on the changing Muslim world. This covered the history of such regions as Kashmir, Eritrea, and Palestine.

Friday May 25-Monday, May 28, 1990 - The First Annual College Retreat, for graduating youth. Meant to train kids for post MYNA life. No mention of MSA. For info it says call Kamran Memon.

Near the End of May 1990 - Ahmed ElHattab replaces Acting Secretary General Amer Haleem as acting secretary general. The head of ISNA’s Education Department returned to a full-time position and two other staff members assumed responsibility as coordinators for the annual convention. ISNA’s total staff strength at the end of June is 9.

June 15-21, 1990 – Central Zone Conference takes place at ISNA HQ in Plainfield, IN. Themed “Islamic Awareness – Living in the 1990’s and Beyond.” More than 100 youth from the Midwest participated in the Fourth Annual Central Zone Conference. The youth started their day with Quranic and hadith discussion. There were also two kinds of workshops, educational and practical. Educational workshops included the life of the Prophet, on him be peace, Quranic recitation, and Islamic history. The practical workshops covered environmental issues, fund-raising, political awareness, newsletters, etc. The Central Zone also had their first basketball tournament.

June 30-July 1, 1990 – West Zone Conference takes place in Los Angeles, CA. Themed “Muslim Identity in North America: Facing the Challenges of Islam.” Some of the more popular sessions were Muslim Community and Challenges of the American Society & Muslim Situations in Palestine and Kashmir. The brothers and sisters had separate programs, and there were also sessions with adults.

July 13-15, 1990 – East Canada Long Bay Camp, Ontario, theme “A Time for Iman.” Some of the more valuable sessions were simulation exercises. “Sand Castles” was an exercise concerning the different forms of government and how Islam reacts toe ach one of them. Other sessions included Da’wa, different ways of approaching people, interaction between the genders, and separate sessions for the brothers and the sisters to freely talk about their concerns.

July 28-Aug. 3, 1990 - Field Youth Training Program at IsNA Headquarters in Plainfield, IN. themed “Identity and Responsibility of Muslim Youth.” The program is designed for active youth and youth leaders and focuses on the skills needed for participating in “the Islamic movement in the future.” The program also offers lessons in hadith, Quran, and the biography of the Prophet.

Aug. 5-6, 1990 - MYNA re-organizational meeting (my term for it) takes place at ISNA Headquarters (the minutes are in the MYNA cabinet today). (This could also be the Aug. 1990, First Annual MYNA Associates Meeting, as this is where the apparently short-lived Parents Who Care sister-organization is said to be formed and the group is mentioned at this “re-organizational meeting,” I’m referring to.) MYNA is listed as one of the “Specialized Organizations” of ISNA in the annual report alongside MSA and MISG instead of with other ISNA departments and services. Parents Who Care is also formed at the meeting, but only mentioned in the MYNA section of the Annual Report. A MYNA member youth is added to the ISNA Majlis Alshura. PWC chairman is Abdel Hamid Abukaram. Others on the PWC committee are Jeannette Hablallah, A. Nudrat Unus, Farida Shamma, Alia Abukaram, Nasrim Athar, Jawaad Abdul Rahman [note that Jawaad is one of the few ex-MYNA youth on the committee, he will go on to take a more active advisory role in the decline period of the late 80s], Asra Ali is the secretary. Joshua Hablallah is there also.

As for the reorganization meeting, there are notes of what seems to be a very substantial discussion on MYNA and its nature/role/relationship with ISNA. People present at the meeting include Amer Haleem, ISNA General Secretary, who argues for MYNA being a program not a separate organization and says it says so in the Annual Report clearly. Freda Shamma. Iqbal Unus. Nudrat Unus. Dawood Zwink. Waheed Mustafa. Baha Ahmed. Abdul Wahab [West Zone Advisor] Shahid Athar. Shaikh Ahmed Zaki Hammad. Suhaib (must be Barzinji). Muzzamil Siddiqui [doesn’t seem to say anything much, just talks about education a bit]. MYNA members, associate members and advisors at the meeting take exception to it or try to mediate between the ideas. Iqbal Unus advocates for MYNA. Dawood says that for the last 2-3 years policy for MYNA elections resulted either because of agreement with ad hoc committee or because of opinion of ISAN pres. Jawaad tried to compromise. Amer called for more personal contact. Sr. Najeeba Syeed said she said the youth never felt respected as leaders. She also calls for more personal interaction and more communication. Amer says the meeting is not here to evaluate ISNA and asks people to check their intentions. It’s basically a big argument. Recommendation is that executive of ISNA should take what ever step necessary to make a document that views-put together ideas clarify ideas and thought. [The next annual report answers how it ended. MYNA gets to be an org.] Br. Sohaib says at the meeting: “ISNA and MSA are not absorbing MYNA grads that we have spend thousands of dollars on them for training.” Abdul Wahab says that youth are taking responsibility for the conference such as registration and ansar. Suhaib says if MYNA members are absorbed then there wouldn’t’ be organizational problems. Waheed Mustafa says that they can’t institutionalize the transition and that many MYNA grads are in fact leading for MSA. Najeeba calls to do things to make sure, such as East Zone College Day. They discuss the inactivity of MSA national, and how there are no annual meetings for it. Br. Amer says that MYNA grads need to be prepared for the culture shock and learn ho to get in. They discuss many of the problems and possible solutions. Amer calls for more “Islamic literacy.” As for the issue of parents, Suhaib says that relations between national and zonal advisors is non-existent. It’s infiltrating other organizations and is a common problem. Leads to it being an elitist organization. There’s a big discussion between the parents and youth with differing opinons. Riyad argues against Amer and the program idea. Amer asks “what is the fear of MYNA being a program.” And says that the MYNA organizers can’t “hold youth work hostage.” Br. Baha answers, “There is no fear. What hostage situation? This organization was our blood and sweat. It is a matter of power.” He says the MYNA members are “tired of games.”

Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Hammad says “MYNA has been doing great.” He says we are “one family.” He says don’t use program or organization. Put a stop to discussion on why we do not want to be a program. Are we satisfied with where MYNA is going? Hammad says there is a need for more homework. To look back at the past and see where we go, then hold meetings. Nadifa says that’s why this meeting happened. Freda says “youth who started MYNA had support of MSA family the credit goes to the youth totally. Those youth deserve the credit. Youth problems with ISNA is they want involvement as a consultant, not formal authority.” Riyad says MYNA should be on Majlis ash Shura and executive committee and other committees. This goes through and a MYNA member is on the majlis. Ambara is there too. The meeting goes until midnight. Maseer [or someone named Masser] is there, too. Ahmed Zaki says there is no difference between a program or an organization. “You’ve been trapped into the world of terminology. Should deal with the essence of things. MYNA is very important area of work. No one should vision MYNA without organization – those who dream of a separate state within ISNA are not correct. Zwink says we have no intention of forgetting those who did work for us, we have every intention of continuing MYNA, even better, we are not abolishing MYNA, there are no royalties, no intention of forgetting those who work before us. We want to discuss the definition, MYNA has freedom to expand. ISNA is here to lend a hand. Sr. Noura Shamma says that “if it’s not broke don’t fix it. It seems that ISNA is own paying MYNA.” And that she doesn’t like dictatorship. Hammad agrees that MSA ahs not been dynamic enough. Sohaib says ISNA should leave MYNA the way it is. Nadifa calls MYNA ISNA’s greatest work. Amer calls MYNA a click. He says that the MYNA members have an attitude and he resents that attitude. He doesn’t believe that they can lead anymore and that MYNA needs to be purified. Shaikh Ahmed says he didn’t sense any attitude, hasn’t seen any violation. MYNA as being anti-culture is discussed/argued about. Should youth be on committees with adults, etc. Is MYNA an elitist organization? Suhaib complains that there is no affiliation to national MYNA among zones, no fundraising for national MYNA, etc., and apathy among zones for national. Freda says that strong zones are a good thing. Suhaib agrees that MYNA’s become an elitist organization and that you don’t get any sort of position “get in good” with the group. He said he wants someone to tie zones together, the advisory committee identify or appoint assistant for chair of advisory board in supporting national officers. Other members agree. But Br. Dawood disagrees, he says the national leadership is chosen in December and open to those who can pay way and meet standards. He doesn’t see how this can form a click. Any campaign leads to disqualification. There are advisors at every level, every program. How was the East Zone representative chosen, none of the other national leaders has been family. Tariq disagrees, he says not on the national level, but on the lower level. To which Dawood says that advisors need to make sure new people get involved. He calls for more training and orientation. Suhaib says that “we don’t go outside of who we know and associate with for committees.” Because of which they call for more of an Ansar mentality.

Aug. 11-18, 1990 – West Canada Zone Conference at Clear Lake, Manitoba. Themed “Islam as an Alternative Life-style.” The program of this camp focused on issues such as Islamic identity, the significance of prayer, parent-child relationships in Islam, the Companions’ techniques of problem-solving, programming youth activities, Da’wa techniques, and world issues.

Aug.-Sept. 1990 - MYNA Summer Continental Conference takes place as part of the ISNA Convention entitled “Developing an Islamic Community in North America” in Dayton Ohio. 5,000 people attend the ISNA Convention (which is themed: “Reaching Out with Islam.”) Noura Shamma is the MYNA Conference chairperson. In her letter in preparation for the event she says of the Entertainment Sessions “MYNA’s entertainment in the past has ranged from thought-provoking, enjoyable, and light to pathetic, ridiculous and offensive. In other words, we certainly have the potential to present an excellent entertainment program if it is organized and practiced in advance, Inshallah.” Jawaad Abdul Rahman is listed as the conference “initiator.” Sabuhi Athar is the program committee chairperson. The Conference has a session on Islamic History and a great talk on MYNA by a young Omar AlTalib (son of Hisham AlTalib).

Sept. 1990 – Newly elected [Actually, he was probably present through 1990] MYNA president Aimen Mir sends a copy of the MYNA history slide show to Asma Khandekar in Memphis. In the slide show, Amal Abu-Karam the outgoing Secretary/Treasurer is quoted. Along with New Dawn Editor Huda Badr and MYNA founding member Nadifa Abdi. It says that at this time 300 youth attend MYNA’s summer and winter conferences. That the past few years have seen MYNA not grow their financial base at an equal rate as its activities have grown. In the past year the focus is still on creating local units in various cities. To bring activities down to a local level. It features Arabic Music. It also says that MYNA is in the process of producing its leadership series of brochures. Fiqh and naseeha brochures on marriage, prayers, and other social activities will be published in the near future, it says.

Nov. 1990 - approximately half of the General Secretariat staff of ISNA is laid off. As a result, some work at the headquarters could not continue while other work progressed in a limited way through the voluntary contributions of the laid-off staff.

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