MYNA’s Impact:

• Served 30,000+ youth to date through camps, retreats, trainings, workshops, and conventions
• Trained 350 leaders
• Lead 60 events/initiatives annually
• MYNA's alum include Harvard Law Review’s first-ever Muslim President Hassaan Shahawy, Capitol Hill staffer Ghada Alkiek, Jeopardy College Teen Tournament Semi-finalist Idris Kahloon, and Yaqeen Institute's Dr. Tesneem Alkiek
• Partnering with Muslim-Americans premier institutions such as Qalam Seminary, Zaytuna College, and Miftaah Institute to do restorative work, establish a baseline Islamic worldview in youth, and produce the next generation of thinkers, scholars, theologians, and activists

MYNA’s History:

The Muslim Youth of North America has a long and telling legacy of youth empowerment and leadership development. As the youth division of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), MYNA has touched the lives of thousands of American and Canadian Muslim youth over the past 37 years, offering social support and national networks to mold "MYNA kids" into leaders in their local communities and the next generation of Muslim activists in America. Through its “for the youth, by the youth” philosophy, seasonal leadership retreats and female scholarship seminars, local events and conferences, and three-week intensive, HIRA, MYNA has helped shape our youth into educated and skilled leaders with an attachment to their faith, giving them the platform and skills they need to succeed in their spheres back home. Today, MYNA is growing bigger and better, spanning across more regions than ever and building a massive nationwide network of dedicated Muslim youth thinkers and activists who are determined to become leading voices for sociopolitical development and change in their communities and abroad.

MYNA’s Program:

Since 1985, MYNA has been operating to benefit youth in many facets. Some examples include ISRAA, our sisters-only semester-long online courses, and Miftaah X MYNA seminary, another online course that is open to everyone. MYNA also has many regional recreational, spiritual, social, and educational events and initiatives. All of these programs engage youth, unlike any other program. Why is MYNA such a successful program for youth?  We are the nation's only For the Youth, By the Youth organization, where youth between the ages of 12 to 18 create programs for similarly aged youth is what drives youth to MYNA  Parents see and feel this as well.  As such, it is no surprise that MYNA has gone from a handful of events per year to over 60 events and initiatives annually. Other organizations are seeing this impact and engaging with MYNA on many national levels. Zaytuna College, Qalam Seminary, Miftaah Institute, and IFANCA are examples of previous organizations that have partnered with MYNA in critical projects to further enhance and organize experiences for our youth.  

MYNA's staple program is its seasonal camps and leadership retreats. MYNA camps serve thousands of youth per year, and with over 18 camps per year, we also provide hundreds of youth leadership opportunities unlike any other. These youth are trained in a variety of domains, including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and more. They then go on to become a part of the officer team that creates the strategy and executes the programs of MYNA.  These camps also play a pivotal role in our youth’s personal and spiritual development, grounding them in Islamic principles and strengthening their conviction in their faith. Camps also provide Muslim youth with a community of friends across the country which provides them an opportunity to network and grow with one another through a unique integration of workshops and lectures. This in turn helps to strengthen their deen and teaches them the adab to become a leader. MYNA's alum includes Harvard Law Review’s first-ever Muslim President Hassaan Shahawy, Capitol Hill staffer Ghada Alkiek, and Jeopardy College Teen Tournament Semi-finalist Idris Kahloon.

MYNA has trained 350 youth on how to lead calls, how to work as a committee, and how to put on events such as a camp or convention track. With our adult staff and volunteers’ mentorship and support, MYNA has been able to expand the regional structure many fold beyond the current pace, and, ultimately, facilitate the ease by which our youth leaders can expand their reach and make a difference in more youths’ lives.

MYNA also runs the Youth Track at ISNA's Annual Convention. At the latest convention in September of 2023, MYNA hosted over 800 youth and kept them engaged through participation in its various lectures, discussions, presentations, workshops, and outreach initiatives.