History of MYNA - Part 8 The 80s 1988

1988-89 – Ahmad Zaki Hammad elected for his second term as ISNA President. Both Dawood Zwink is VP U.S. and Dr. Syed Imtiaz Ahmad is V.P. Canada again for a second term as well. Ghulam Nabi Fai is president of MSA. 13 Full-time and 5 part time workers at the Headquarters as of Aug. 1989. “MYNA is ready to cooperate with all Muslim groups that are serious about providing opportunities for their youth. MYNA has repeatedly demonstrated flexibility in our relations with established local youth groups, respecting any that demonstrate a commitment to achieve common goals and stand ready to help. Along those lines some local and non-affiliated youth programs have drawn from MYNA trained counselors. Miami, Detroit, and Southern California are three such examples. We have also extended training opportunities to groups that are organizing their own programs, such as three communities of the Islamic Alliance. From our side, we have structured the local youth groups so that direct supervision and control rests with the sponsoring local organization. A charter is provided from MYNA to allow local units to pug into MYNA activities. The development of sufficient numbers of trained local advisors and counselors must be met if we are to succeed in expanding the benefits of MYNA programs in the manner required. MYNA has set the goal of reaching 5,000 youth by the end of 1989 as the next step in our systematic growth. Typically, MYNA concentrates activities in four areas: camps; conferences; publications; and Islamic scouting. MYNA reps successfully organized summer recreation camps in three zones. MYNA held a conference or program in all five zones, and three at the national level.

1988 - (4) Maseer Bade is chairman of MYNA, Amal Abu-Karam is Secretary/Treasurer, Noura Shamma is Central Zone rep. Nidal Hozien is East Zone Rep., Abdul-Jabbar Beig is West Zone Rep., Mihad Fahmy is East Canadian Rep., Muniral Haque is West Canadian Rep. Dawood Zwink is Vice President of ISNA and chairman of the MYNA Advisory Committee, Nadifa Abdi is the Central US Advisor, Baha Ahmed is the East US Advisor, Sureyya Husain is the West US Advisor, Faisal Baksh is the East Canada Adv., Abdul Waheed Mustafa is the West Canada Advisor (204-832-3511). Ahmed Zaki Hammad is President of ISNA. MYNA is listed under “Departments and Services” in the ISNA Annual report and not a separate constituent affiliate organization. [Note: this is the earliest one we have that would mention MYNA, 1985-1987 are missing.] MYNA’s annual calendar includes mentions of ITC events and Islamic scout events. “MYNA conferences are scheduled to coincide with ISNA zonal conferences wherever possible. Programs are developed to share sessions on appropriate subjects, but to insure that topics of special concern to youth are included. This year MYNA held a conference of program in all five zones, and three at the national level.”-from the MYNA Annual Report (discussed below). Also the East Canada zonal newsletter, Paix, is published twice and its circulation is said to extend across Canada and to part s of the US. The Central Zone’s, “Central Expressions” zonal newsletter is also published twice.

Feb. 13-14, 1988 - MYNA Executive Committee Meeting at ISNA Headquarters. Attendees include Dawood Zwink, chair of the advisory board, Baha Ahmed, east zone advisor, Nadifa Abdi, central zone advisor, Abdel Waheed Mustafa, western Canada zone advisor. Maseer Bade, chairman, Amal Abu-Karam secretary/treasurer, Mihad Fahmy, Canadian zonal representative, Muniral Haque, western zonal representative, Nidal Hozein, eastern zonal representative, Abdul Jabbar Beig, western zonal rep and Saboohi Athar, central zone treasurer. Maseer explains that Zonal reps oversee regional reps. Dawood recommends each zone setting up their own strategy for representation, state or metropolitan reps. Get down to the level that one can control he says. Big emphasis put on communication with ISNA and MSA and advisors. Some attendees asked for lists of people in their zones. Positional responsibilities for exec.’s are gone over. It says the chairman “may be rep. For MYNA in Majlis Al-Shura.” The

Constitutional Committee reported that the ISNA Executive Council would be meeting March 12-13 for approval of the constitution, and then on March 19-20 that it would given to the Majlis for final approval. People suggest that it “needs a good structural relations with ISNA” and that “in constitution Article I, the intention is to have a relationship of a constituent of ISNA.” Dawood suggested that the ISNA exec. Council should make suggestion to select the chairman of the MYNA advisory board. They need to set down criteria for office holders. They need to ask Brothers Iqbal and Sheikh Ahmed Zaki to meet with them in order to discuss the constitution. They also reviewed the charter process and discussed the requirements for local units. Asks for a fairly controlled relationship with them (like in the other mention in this history).

Nadifa said, “The problem with the local units is that it may start problems within the community.”

There is a membership committee made up of Mihad Fahmy, Abdel Jabbar Beig, Nidal Hozein to assign members to zones and plan drives. The library is mentioned as something that could be offered to members (the library is now defunct). There is discussion of the “MYNA membership series of booklets and brochures and the New Dawn, as well as Pen Pal system, a youth exchange program, a scholarship fund, a youth career exploration internship and summer jobs provided by Muslim business.” I think these are either not all concrete or planned.

Zonal Reports mention that the Canadian East Zone, Mihad Fahmy has divided the zone into four regions and appointed most of the regional reps. They had a zonal meeting Feb. 28 and a Windsor dinner that raised $2,000 with speakers Shiraz Peer and Yasminka Kalajzic. They were planning a summer conference meeting and looking forward to their summer camp. They were having problems in Toronto, who couldn’t relate, and Faisal Baksh suggested not pushing myna there and going to other cities.

Western Canada, Muniral Haque said they might divide the zone into Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. But people suggested he focus on local stuff first and to plan a zonal conference.

Central Zone, Saboohi (sometimes written “Sabuhi”) Athar said there was a Central Zone meeting on March 18-20 in Indianapolis. An MSA/MYNA Seminar on March 12 in Indianapolis. A MYNA Seminar on March 12 in Indianapolis. A Cincinnati MYNA Seminar. Summer recreational camps. Their reps include Fadila Smith, Texas, Maryam Smith, Texas, Tahseen Shamma, Texas, Faruk Khan, IN, and Altaf Kaiser, IL.

Western Zone: Abdel Jabbar Beig said there would be a possible regional rep for Arizona and New Mexico. That there was a meeting on March 27-28 in San Jose with only national conference members and regional reps. Jehad Turk would contact people in New Mexico and Arizona and Phoenix and start trying to charter youth groups. Ahmed Bedier had a youth group in Portland, Oregon. Asma of N. California raised $450 dollars selling chocolate for Afghanistan and sold sweatshirts. South Carolina, Azhar tried to start youth groups in different masjids. The West Zone Conference Committee was made up of Ehab Said, Azhar Majeed, Jehad Turk, Shasta Ramada and Mahboub Mujahudeen.

First year for MYNA Standards.

Feb. 19, 1988 - a youth halaqa in Ottawa, which they want to do on a monthly basis.

March 5-6, 1988 - MYNA Advisory Committee Meeting.

March 9, 1988 - Western Canada Conference.

March 14, 1988 - Financial report shows budgeted $4,460 for publications with zero spent, $37,300 for camps and conferences with $60.00 spent, $4150 for membership with $134.60 spent Operational expenses with $19,600 and $374.48 spent and national operating office, fundraising and publications and miscellaneous and MYNA sports with, $22,650, $3,000, $500, and $1,000 with zero spent for each. The total was $92,660 with $569.08 spent. Meanwhile income is at $1,471.33 from membership ($158), sweats ($131), Camps and Cons ($5.00), National operating office ($120), and donations ($1,057.33). The final balance is $902.25 remaining.

March 27, 1988 West Zone reunion held at Stanford University. It started with a welcome from Br. Abdul-Jabbar Beig, the West Zone Rep, followed by regional reports from the regional rep.s. They mentioned fundraising picnics, barbecues, car washes, clothes drives for the needy, several conferences, ski trips, and a Muslim Youth Camp which is to be held in August 20-26th near Santa Barbara. They also had hadiths discussion and a talent show. Then they went to the Great America amusement park on the next day. It was only a 25-person turnout. They said it was still a success with high spirits. It was associated with the South Bay Islamic Association maybe.

May 1988 - Sowt Alshabab, Issue #1 of the West Zone newsletter, edited by Asma Emneina, Fremont California, includes a MYNA membership form in it (membership gets you a free subscription to the New Dawn). An article mentions there being more than “600 Islamic centers across the U.S.” (Enas Emneina is the typist along with another girl and other staff. The Agha family is also involved).

May 14-15, 1988 - Third Executive Committee/Advisory Committee Meeting at ISNA HQ. Maseer is there, Abu Karam is there, Noura Shamma is there, Mihad Fahmy is there and Nidal Hozein is there. Zwink, Ahmed, Mustafa and Abdi are there. Aymun Shtawi is the Membership Chairman and there. Every zone is told they have to have a zonal newsletter. The West Zone reports that they went to Great America and a ski trip and on their July 2-4? Conference and that they need $500 for it. The Conference committee is 6 people and the advisory committee is 3 adults and 2 youth. They say there’ll be a youth camp on Aug. 20th in Sanora, CA and have problems and need help with out reach to different cities/states. The Central Zone says they’ve had seminars in Indianapolis and Cincinnati and an Eid program for kids in Cincinnati. There will be a central zone conference June 30-July 5 at ISNA headquarters. There will be a sisters' summer camp on Aug. 7-12 and a brothers' camp in august, too, as well as a camp next weekend, May 27-29 in Kansas City MI, entitled “Reality with Islam in Youth Perspective.” There were candy sales in Indianapolis and Eid books sold in Cincinnati. Problems included “Kentucky-no masjids.” They sold lunches on Sunday in Missouri. 250 members entered into MYNA or they will try to get 250 members to enter MYNA in Chicago. They say there aren’t enough parents involved. And a west zone report is given. The East Zone reports that the Virginia Muslim youth council has been formed and it’s like a local unit and a miniature version of MYNA. They have Al-Bashir newsletter and actively organizing seminars. Mona Elkadi mentions that there will be an MCA camp in Miami July 11-16. Tariq Ahmed is the New York/New England Rep. Asad Koshul is the NJ/NYC rep. Tahir Rasheed is the PA/VA/NC/SC/MD/DE rep and Mona Elkadi is Fl/AL/GA. The East zone camp is on Aug. 27th-Sept.3. July 4 is the East Zone Conference. West Canada reports publicity for MYNA in Winnipeg, bake sales, Eid cards, masjid clean up campaign, Eid dinner presentations, a separate senior youth group ages 15-18, and that Muniral resigned. Arsalam Habib, 11th grader, can work for next year from Regina. Other areas need to set up MYNA there they say and in Vancouver Sr. Taylor set up a youth group. They had a senior group meeting in Winnipeg (seems nickel and dime). East Zone: Connecticut is ready to have a charter packet and need application cards and letterheads. They discuss the upcoming Continental Winter Conference and who the chairman should be. Go through a list, and the same with advisors. They think of having a sister and a brother chair. Br. Dawood is said to raise issues during the ISNA Exec. Meetings for MYNA. The chairman’s report includes the goal of more humanitarian activities and to be “more pushy,” to publicize, to talk to zonal youth and see if they need a new advisor, etc. MYNA standards have been mailed out and local unit packets too. They call for specialty advisors for membership and fundraising. Faisal says there is no support or respect for zonal activities, no contact, no work progress. Faisal is said to be “indifferent.” Dawood is the trouble-shooter who will “talk” to everyone it seems to smooth over such problems. The situation is said to be “ridged” in Toronto area [interesting given MYNA later-till-present success in the city thanks to it being based out of ISNA School there]. Dawood and Noura travel to Kansas City to speak about MYNA. Fall councilor training program to take place on Oct. 7th, 8th, 9th and to focus on skill development, counseling summer rec. and counseling youth groups. Each get certificate if they attend every session, not certified if not get all 4 units.

At this point there are 366 total members. 142 East, 130 Central, 56 Central, 38 Canada. The suggestion to fix it is that they need zonal reps. Amal and Engi come every week to ISNA HQ to handle mail and money. Maseer cleans the office.

May/June, 1988 - The New Dawn May/June 1988 issue. Hoda Badr is the chairperson of the publications committee. MYNA Standards are unveiled. [They are a series of questions for youth to prove their “Islamicness” on in order to attend camps. They are eventually reduced to simple informational purposes and are resultantly the first of MYNA’s many started projects that will eventually go by the wayside over the years.]

June 15, 1988 - A Grant request for $20,000 for the annual continental leadership training program. It estimates approximately 500,000 Muslim youth 12-18 in North America. And says the conference attracted 70 participants in 1985, which swelled to 300 in 1986 as a result of increased awareness of the program and no screening. The number was restricted to 200 in 1987 based on subjective screening by MYNA zonal advisors. An objective screening process of self-selection through the MYNA Standards has been implemented for 1988. Between 300-400 participants are expected to qualify for this year’s conference, it says. The electing of officers for MYNA Exec. Committee are held during the last two days of the conference. In MYNA Standards, Islamic Knowledge is 30 points, Islamic Commitment is 35 points, Leadership Potential is 10 points and Service is 25 points. In order to be eligible 100 points have to be received completed and certified by Aug. 31st. The programming is supervised by the Continental Advisory Committee. The continental leadership Training Conference is staffed by counselors and advisors drawn from the advisory committee and advisors to the MYNA field structure. “MYNA Strives to create a balance between youth workers with the experience of parents of youth (advisors) and university students (counselors) who are invaluable as a result of their close identification and ease in relating to youth.” Counselor and advisors receive training through the MYNA Counselor Training programs held in the Spring and Fall of each year. Over one hundred youth workers have participated in the training programs in the last two years. The program yields certification as a youth counselor upon the completion of forty-eight hours of training and three months of practicum in the field. The counselor training in s cosponsored by the MYNA Advisory committee and the ISNA Training Committee. Each MYNA project area is implemented by youth with the support of a specialty advisor and other specialists or older youth workers as needed. The organization structure for the continental leadership training conference is outlined with 15 various chair positions. Each area of operations is aid to be supported by an advisor.

There is also a grant request for Youth Qur’an Competitions written on the same day requesting $22,680. The plan is to organize youth Qur'an competitions around the country; it’s a new plan. It hopes to draw judges from ISNA’s Fiqh Councils.

June 20, 1988 - MYNA prepares a grant request for $54,075 from the Iqra Foundation in Jeddah Saudi Arabia for the International Youth Exchange Program. It’s submitted by the MYNA Exec. and the MYNA Advisory Committee. The plan is to have tour groups of 25 youth divided into 3 sub-groups of 8, 8, and 9. 21 days per tour to places like Cairo for the Americans and various natural wonder sites for youth from Saudi and other Muslim countries. They also submit a grant for $48,000 to do a youth camp for the 6 upcoming summer camps.

June 24-26, 1988 - Eastern Canada Zonal Conference - St. Catherine’s Conference coop with ISNA Canadian Conference. Niagra falls trip during the conference (they went and had to come back.)

June 26-July 1, 1988 (June 30-July 5, 1988) – Central Zone US Zonal Conference takes place.

June 26-30, 1988 - Br. Sr. Summer Camp, Proud Lake Milford MI.

July 1-3, 1988 - East Zone US Conference

July 1-3 (or 2-4), 1988 - West Zone US Zonal Conference at Stanford University - low turn out, no workshops, theme “Sunnah In My Life.” Fundraising at camp store, none at conference.

July 2-3, 1988 - Western Canada Zonal Conference

July 6-12, 1988 - Br. Sr.s Summer Camp (Hilal Camp) Proud Lake, Milford, MI.

July 11-16, 1988 - Br. Sr.s Summer Camp, Miami, FL, USA

July 14-17, 1988 - “Second Annual Canadian MYNA Camp” aka the “Long Bay Camp,” held in Paris, Ontario (Canada East Zone) themed “Nature Allah’s Gift-Let’s Get Down to Earth”, 80 participant youth from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. Innovative camp concept. Dawood also attends/speaks. Rahat Kurd attends and writes of the camp in the Dec. 1988 Islamic Horizons: “ ‘Islam in the great outdoors, with salat under the stars,’ is how the Second Annual Canadian MYNA Camp was billed. Unlike most clever ad copy, that’s just what it was…so it didn’t mention the mosquitos./P/But with “Nature: Allah’s Gift: Let’s Get Down to Earth” as its theme, this three-and-a-half-day whirlwind camp in Long Bay, Ontario was well worth the Calamine./p/Most participants-youth from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal-were drawn to the new approach to this year’s endeavor: inviting campers to take a long, loving look at their diverse natural surroundings, from the complex, tiny world of bees and ants, to glorious sunsets and crescents./p/If the romantic approach is too mushy for disdaining intellects, how about a casual explanation of genetics during the “Creation of man” discussion, complete with diagrams and charts./p/This discussion was one of several that demanded youth in-put, so necessary to genuine understanding. Reflecting on Allah’s creation was, after all, the camp’s purpose./p/Knowing that nothing is created in futility gives one a renewed sense of purpose. With the focus shifted to human beings as His supreme creation, issues like challenges faced by Muslim youth came to the fore in a dynamic youth-adult panel./p/’we are accountable to Allah for the time we spend when w are still young,’ said Sharda Mohammed of Toronto. Speaking on the necessity of establishing not just strong Islamic identity, but also ‘real friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood’ among the Muslims in high school, she urged her peers not to wait until adulthood to commence Islamic work. Of course, in order to test out these new attitudes toward nature’s bounties, the campers had to ‘apply’ themselves physically. Onlookers might have been convinced they were merely swimming, canoeing, hiking, and playing baseball for fun. But the campers new better./p/On the quirkier side, a creative experiment called the ‘global Village Dinner’ left hungry campers who were seated at large tables staring confusedly (and empty-mouthed) at the full-course meal served to the elite few sitting at cosy tables of four. The lesson: Muslims must share with others./p/Perhaps it was this incident which heightened an already noticeable good-natured feeling of brother-sister rivalry. Although no one is sure what touched it off, the ‘feeling’ finally manifested itself on Saturday night during the camp’s popular social hour, in a downright heated (and hilarious) parliamentary-style debate between counselors: do brothers or sisters have a harder time practicing Islam in high school? Only their hairdressers know./p/The next day, subdued participants were roused by official camp cheerleader, Dawood Zwink, ISNA vice president, U.S. with one final competition, in nashids (Islamic songs), with sisters having the definite edge/p/Closing remarks were highlighted by campers new to MYNA. One participant declared, ‘It was brotherhood at first sight.’ Following prayers, endless photo-ops, and good-bye hugs, the campers left, still crooning the words of the ‘camp song.’/p/Thos of you who don’t know it, come up next year. I’m going to, insha Allah./p/I’ve still got some debating points to make-Rahat Kurd.”

[These camps go till this day and the youth group that does them no longer has a MYNA name. But the camps continue and they advertise them as the 19th Annual Camp, etc. So, it’s the same group/camp.]

July 17-23, 1988 - Sisters’ Summer Rec. Camp McCormicks Creek Camp, Indiana USA

July 22-28, 1988 - Br./Sr. Summer Rec. Camp (Gimli Camp, MB)

July 24-30, 1988 - Brothers’ Summer Rec. Camp (McCormics Creek)

July 25-Aug. 20, 1988 - ISNA Summer Intern Program for MYNA

July 28-31, 1988 - Br./Sr. Summer Rec. Camp (Paris Camp, ON)

Aug. 1988 - Islamic Horizons Aug. issue features an article on the MYNA 4th of July Central Zone conference in an article entitled “MYNA Leadership Conference.” It also mentions the MYNA “mini-conference” program at the Canada East Zone Conference in an article entitled “Canada Conference.”

-The issue also features an ad for the upcoming 1988 Summer Continental Conference that mentions Islamic Entertainment. It reads: “Presenting the 1988/MYNA Summer continental Conference/Islam…it works; trail blazing a path to a brighter future and a better ummah/ - Feel the optimism/ - learn about what Islam can do for you/ - Experience sister and brotherhood / - enjoy innovative forms of Islamic Entertainment/The program features outstanding speakers, exciting sessions and trips to famous Indianapolis sites/[the date and place, Indianapolis Sept. 2-5]” and then it says “Also Presenting:” and lists the criterion for three special events there: 1. “Islamic Art Contest/Now is the Chance to display the artistic talents that Allah (SWT) has given you. The Categories are: 1. Free hand (Painting & Sketches) 2. Photography 3. Calligraphy/The art work needs to contain inanimate objects and will be displayed during the MYNA Conference. Two Winners in each category. Judging will take place on Sunday morning. There is a $1.00 entry fee. Deadlines: 1. Photographs; August 20, 1988 2. Free hand Entries: September 3rd b 12:00 pm. ” 2. The “Islamic Rap/Poetry Contest; Express your sense of rhythm and beat or bare your emotions when it comes to your deen or faith. The poetry or rap can address historical or contemporary issues and should be clean in content. There is a $1.00 entry fee. Prizes and Judging will be similar to Art Context./Deadlines: All poems or tapes with scripts should be submitted by August 20, 1988. All entries become property of MYNA/Mail Entries w/ August 20 deadlines to: summer Conference Contest c/o MYNA PO Box 38 Plainfield, IN 46168/Please include your name, age, address and telephone number with entry.” 3 the “Talent Exhibition/Are you an entertainer or what? Can we talk? Show us your talent. Can you or your group make us laugh, cry, or think? If you want to participate in our Talent Exhibition, send in a written description of your act, time required, the number of participants, names, ages, sex, addresses, and phone numbers. All performances should follow Islamic guidelines. Entrance fee in the Talent Exhibition is $2.00 and the space is limited. So hurry up and submit your information by August 15th to: MYNA Talent Show/PO Box 38 Plainfield IN 46168/we will contact you as soon as we receive your entry.”

-Nimat Hafez Barazangi’s article/open letter entitled ‘Dear MYNA (Muslim Youth of North America)’ is published in Horizons’s “The Observer” public forum section. In it she gives a critique of the 1987 MYNA Winter Conference that she attended as a counselor and was “closely involved with,” she says, and is in response to a Feb. 88 article about it which was too peachy and positive. She lists her ‘true concerns for this youth organization’ and 6 points to improve on at the conference and 6 strategies for improving them. She says: 1. There was plenty of enthusiasm/emotional and sincere commitment and hard work, but only a small amount of clarity and focus as to what specifically was expected to be achieved in the seven-day conference beyond the emotional ties. 2. The rules of the conference were legitimate and necessary for pedagogical implementation, but the audience wasn’t carefully thought of. It was not clear to even the Supervisory Committee who should abide by these rules besides the participants. It was not clear either how to enforce these rules or what consequences each violation would be met with. And these rules were not evidenced or explained beyond slogans and rules on paper. 4. the speakers were knowledgeable in their area of expertise, yet they were not really a part of the conference. No matter how relevant their topics were to the needs of the participants, they were speaking at the attendants instead of with them. Relating to this audience doesn’t mean oversimplifying the topic or giving in to personal interests of the audience. They should live and discuss the topic with the youth on a daily basis. “to give a lecture and run back to the motel or catch a flight does not provide a continuous model of interaction and leadership.” 5. the topics were essential but presented in a backward way being too abstract and irrelevant to the developing of Islamic character, since these were selected and more than just basic level youth. She suggests 1. “designing the program with daily interaction roles in a naturalistic setting to provide a guided experience,” and that there isn’t a need to invite speakers who are experts in Islamic theology and law. She said “what is needed is a few committed and somehow knowledgeable youth among MYNA (perhaps the senior youth among MYNA members) who live in the Islamic principles in their everyday life. Instead of having these members spend endless hours behind the planning desk with non-stop phone calls to secure the speakers, they can do better by sharing their organizational skills in a practicum-like interaction with the participants in a make-believe exercise.” 2. She says since these youth were picked to be trained, they should be given the opportunity tow work the steps on the ladder of leadership. Building up by cooking their own meals to listening and respecting others’ opinions while researching and understanding variations in forms of expression. 3. let interested and devoted parents/adults who are knowledgeable and experience play the role of moderators, guides, observes, support services, etc. they should, however live with the youth and interact with them on a daily basis. 4. abide by the rules first and be clear on their consequences. Let the youth research the rules to understand them Islamically, such as with Islamic dress. 5. there should be first-hand learning by the youth and reinforcement at home via a concurrent camp for parents or for both together. 6. clarity and focus is needed, a seven-day camp with such a variety in the program will only add to the confusion of the youth, she says. She said she asked a session why they do good, and that 60 percent said cause “I don’t want to go to Hell” and 20 percent cause “I want to go to Heaven.” “If the organizers believe that this is what Islam means, the above percentage dictates the assumption that this is what the youth have been taught about Islam, then an examination of our understanding of Islam is in order.” She says.

-Finally, a Community Profile piece on Richardson, Texas’ Islamic Association of North Texas in the Dallas area mentions MYNA. A sister involved in Richardson’s then non-MYNA-affiliated youth group is quoted. The article reads: “IANT’s youth group leaders, as well, are interested in tuning into the larger Muslim scene in North America in general, according to Waheeda Bilal, a sister who is active with the youth as well as the women’s group, whose newsletter she is the editor of. “We would like to know more about MYNA,” Waheeda says. “It’s good for the youth to know the other youth around the country.”

Aug. 1-6, 1988 - Muslim Youth Camp, California

Aug. 1-7 1988 - South East Zone Br./Sr. Summer Rec. Camp (Florida)

Aug. 13-14, 1988 - 4th MYNA Executive Meeting. Maseer Bade, Amal Abu Karam, Noura Shamma Central Zone rep, Nidal Hozein, east zone rep, Abdel Jabbar Beig west zone rep, Mihad Fahmy east Canada. Zwink advisor chair, Mustafa west Canadian zone advisor. Abdi and Ahmed. Tasnim took over Halima’s position in the west zone. There is a mention of WAMY grants. Zonal treasurers include Baha Ahmed, East, Abdel Jabbar, West, Sadia Beig, East Canada, Sabuhi Athar, Central. Dawood points out that you need an adult over 21 to be legally responsible for each treasurer. Money issues and loans discussed. Br. Farouq Khan is said to be working on a local chapter in Plainfield, “no chapter in Plainfield yet.” It says in the discussion of local units. East Zone rep is Tareq Ahmed (?), it says later. It says he’s doing a good job. Canadian Zone is said to have had youth groups for a long time and not know about MYNA, so they need visits to orient them about MYNA. The constitution is still with the Majlis Al-Shura. The MYNA Exec council is to meet with the ISNA Exec. Council at the next meeting Nov. 12-13. Sr. Rahat Kurd is in charge of the Canada Eat newsletter the next of which will come out in the Fall. They have $1072 in the bank from summer camp fundraising. Lots of events going on in Canada (not necessarily MYNA ones). They mention the MYNA program at the ISNA Canada conference, how older women didn’t like the social hour fashion show there. Canada Western Zone: Arsilam Habib is named as a possible rep. Vancouver is active with lots of work going on and a separate camp for br.s and sr.s next week. Manitoba has a younger MYNA group. Winnipeg has martial arts training for 12-15 year olds with 20 sisters there. Also a sleep over for younger brothers.

2,500 copies of the New Dawn published, increased to 4,000 copies for publicity for the Summer Conference. Focus is on Afghanistan. The rates for the magazine are $24 for a quarter page. $50 for a half, and 75-100 for a full. Topic is selected 2 issues ahead. They need contributors.

Aug. 15-19, 1988 - Field Youth Training Program happens at ISNA HQ, entitled “Building Leaders for Today and Tomorrow.” 53 of MYNA’s election appointed youth leaders participated. The program created a daily format that covered Muslim Youth Identity, Qur’an and Sunnah, Our Foundations, Leadership Qualities, Problem Solving, and organizational skills in succession. Evening sessions focused on Islamic youth culture development. Emphasis throughout was on workshops.

Aug. 20-27, 1988 - Youth Camp in Santa Barbara.

Aug. 22-26 (or 24-27), 1988 - Western Canada Sr./Br. Summer Rec. Camp (Fort Quapple, SK, Canada)

Aug. 27-31, (or 28-2) 1988 - (North) East Zone Sr./Br. Summer Rec. Camp (Pocono Mts., Big Poconos Camp, Stroudsburg, PA.) Appx. 100 youth attended. About sixty were then bussed to join the ISNA Annual convention and MYNA Summer Conference there. “A rich recreational experience was provided for the youth attending the east zone camp. Discussions focused on the problems of youth and working session emphasized team building. The study of the Quran and Sunnah and basics Islamic principles rounded out the program.

Sept 2-5, 1988 - The 1988 Continental Summer Conference (alongside ISNA Convention) - Theme: “Islam…it works!” Jawaad Abdul Rahman, 16, is the conference chairman. The Conference Advisor is Sameer Bade. Jawaad sends letters to his chairs to organize the conference, and they have a meeting to discuss it beforehand some time in Indianapolis at which conference chairs/organizers Jawaad, Sabuhi Athar, Uzma Unus are present. (Jawaad and Uzma will get married when they grow up). The sessions are entitled thins like “Are you Confused?” and “H’alal Apple Pie.” Other possible titles for the conference were “Make it MYNA, Make it real.” The “MYNA at Work” posters are made and some fundraising ideas include MYNA items to be sold at the ISNA Bazaar (unclear as to if these were actually made). Total expenses for the conference were $3,243.00. They had incoming revenue from “paraphanalia” sales, donations, “computer advertising” on large screens during the conference. Income was at $1,945.00. They also had an Islamic Art and Rap/Poetry contest and a Talent Exhibition and Islamic Art Contest there. Some MYNA tee-shirt ideas included “MYNA Republic” with a map of America on it and different illustrated people/things drawn on it.

September/October, 1988 – The New Dawn Volume 4, number 2 September/October issue is published. The cover has a shot of a masjid, possibly Irani or central Asian. The New Dawn staff includes 8 people, including editor Hoda Badr, editorial advisor Nadifa Abdi, with Production and Design by Sameer Bade, Ismail Abdul Raheem, Nadifa Abdi, and Hoda Badr, photography by Tariq Muqtadir and Sameer Bade, and advertising by Iman Zenhom. The cover price is $2.00 and subscriptions are $10.00 per year. The magazine includes a membership form. An advertisement for the as yet not mentioned MYNA College Match service in which MYNA will “plug in your college needs into a computer program that has over 30,000 colleges listed,” so that they can “match you to possibly compatible schools. To receive a questionnaire just mail a request to” the Headquarters’ address, it says. Includes an editorial, an article on Afghanistan by Imtiaz Khan [with a cartoon by Rahat Kurd of a gift-wrapped tank], on the signs of the day of judgment by Mohamed Mohamed, an article on different types of jihad by Hebba Fahmy, an essay on anti-Muslim literature, an article on the “new Holocaust” as opposed to the Jewish one in WW II by Sabuhi Athar, anarticle on the life of al-Ghazali by Asra Ali, an article on the difference between Jinns and Angels by Hayat Alvi a MYNA Summer Conference Photo Album by Suhail Muqtadir and the staff [featuring hilarious phony photo-captions], essay on Russia by Hoda Badr, MYNa News and Views by Rahat Kurd [her article on the second Canadian zonal campference], MYNA News and Views by Maseer Bade [a break-down of the MYNA Annual report and Budget with charts], letters on camps including a critical one about just what MYNA’s acceptance policy is [the answer is an explanation of the then-in-use-MYNA Standards], an international news section, a book review by Nizam Ahmed, a section on How to write a Letter to the editor by the Muslim Alert Network, a poem to an Afghan Mujahid, complete with a picture of him and his kalashnikov, and “MYNA Repertory Theater,” featuring a play. Finally there are marriage announcements and congratulations sent to two sets of newlyweds. “Br.Syed Arif Khalid and Sr. Pamela Kay Taylor. They were married at the ISNA Headquarters on Oct. 1, 1988. They are two hardworking souls that have contributed a great deal of time and enthusiasm to MYNA.” And “we would like to announce the engagement for Br. Rashid Kilani and Sr. Ambara Abdi. They will, Insha’allah, marry in December. They are residents of Indianapolis and have been active in MYNA work.” There’s a solicitation for writers, section heads and artists on the back with a picture of Uncle Sam with the cap cut off to look like a Muslim skullcap and it says under it, “Uncle Omar Needs writers.” The tone of the magazine is informal, wry and funny at this point, also very well spoken. The MYNA 1988 budget started off at $92, 660 and of it $9,899 was used, it says. A poem says that the 1988 Central Zone Conference took place on June 30-July 5, 1988. there’s an ad for MYNA wear.

Sept./Oct. 1988 – “MYNA Wear” name is used. An ad for MYNA Wear in New Dawn shows that they are using the name for MYNA clothing by this point and asks people to make out request for it to Amal Abu-Karam at the headquarters. Sweats are $14.95. T-shirts are $9.95, or 6.95, and buttons are $1.00. it includes a $1.50 postage fee.

Sept. 2-5, 1988 -

Oct. 1988 - MYNA of Franklin, Michigan founded after one brother, a grad student, took the initiative of organizing nine teenage brothers. Franklin, MI islocated approx. 20 miles from Detroit. The youth group is based out of the Huda school, a full time Islamic School. In its first year of existence they hold many activities. They organize and attend two overnight camps at the Dyinoud Islamic Center near Flint. These programs consisted of discussions on certain relevant topics, prayer, sports, and Quranic circles after Fajr prayer. They only consisted of 10-15 people and gave the brothers their first experience of organizing and implementing activities for and by themselves rather than having it organized for them. The group did have an organizational structure developed for themselves. They elected officers to the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities Director, and public Relations director each September. (meaning Sept. 1988. Sept. 1989. Sept. 1990. Sept. 1991. and Sept. 1992.

Oct. 8-9, 1988 - Fall Counselor Training Program

Oct. 28th, 1988 - Iman Zenhom, the New Dawn Advertising Manager sends out a letter to Muslim Businessmen soliciting ads with 1, 3, and 5, package issues, the largest price package being $425. The smallest being $15-25. (15 for sponsorship, 25 for single issue smallest ad).

Dec. 1988 - Islamic Horizons Dec. issue features a comment article in the ‘Between Horizons’ section on the Second Annual Canadian MYNA Camp by Rahat Kurd entitled “The Natural MYNA.”

-It also has an article entitled “Youth Awards” about the Washington, DC Area MYC’s First Annual Awards Ceremony of the Muslim Youth Council’s (MYC) Scholarship and Awards Committee, 120 youth and parents attended, Resha Memon, a 1350 SAT-scorer spoke, and six winners received prizes of up to $500 for high GPA’s and SATs, an essay competition, and excellence in history, Quran and Hadith. The MYNA-affiliated MYC represents 10 youth groups (MYNA affiliates or chapters) in the greater Washington area. “The DC area youth groups have long been innovators in youth activities,” says the Horizons article.

Dec. 7, 1988 - Jawaad Abdul Rahman head of Conference Finances sends out a letter with Dawood Zwink’s name on it too soliciting investments/sponsorships for the upcoming Winter Conference.

Dec. 24-31, 1988 - Continental Winter Leadership Training Conference, an 8-day leadership training conference in Plainfield at “Islamic Center of North America.” “Developing of the Complete Muslim Youth,” theme. This program was an expanded version of the August Field Youth Leader Training with some modification of subtopics. Some interesting sessions included “Peer Counseling,” “Authority in Decision Making”, “Our Heritage: The Khilafa” and “Dawa in Leadership”. Highlights were the emotional discussion with Afghan Mujahideen and a youth wedding.