MYNA
By Marium Mohiudidn
This story may be a familiar one to several young North American Muslims. Through the years it has gone from being a familiar story to one that has impacted the lives of many young Muslims.
The story began a group of young teen-aged Muslims came together in 1985 and formed an organization as an offshoot of the Islamic Society of North America. This developed into Muslim Youth of North America a.k.a. MYNA.
From that time MYNA evolved into an international organization with 15 presidents, several representatives, dozens of conferences and campus, hundreds of members, and thousands of participants. But the path an organization takes is not always on the straight and up. MYNA went through many changes and difficulties. At the end of 2002 MYNA dealt with a decline in interest, activities and participants.
Now almost 20 years later another groups of Muslims, this time a little older and a little wiser, came together to re-establish and re-energize MYNA. However, the revitalization begs some questions …
Q: What exactly is MYNA
A: MYNA began as an organization for Muslim youth in America and Canada. MYNA served as a resource for education and activity by providing literature and assistance; organizing leadership training and recreation camps; helping to establish and maintain youth groups; and providing an environment for exploring the new American Muslim youth identity.
Q; How was MYNA created?
A: An organization and programming was needed that was run and geared toward youth, that brought youth together and that coordinated activities throughout the country. MYNA was that answer.
Q: Where has MYNA been these last few years?
A: MYNA is still around, but over the years the once active form has quieted down. MYNA still holds an annual conference at the ISNA National Convention, and there are still a smattering of MYNA youth groups across the county.
Q: Why has MYNA come to this point?
That question is not easily answered. It is a combinations of the American culture, MSA, advisers, and trained volunteers.
Because MYNA was a youth run organization it had a high turn over rate. During the first years of the organization ISNA members advised the MYNA youth. As MYNA youth got older they became the advisers. But those former MYNA youth were now in college and turned their attention to MSA and campus life. A pattern developed that as youth moved passed the MYNA 18-year age-limit, younger members who took hold of the reigns were not adequately trained.
The American Muslim landscape was also changing. The need for a big youth organization had evolved to the need for a more local structure. Unfortunately MYNA was not able to keep up with those demands.
Q: Who was the last MYNA president?
A: Last year Hana Unus was the last MYNA president
In 2003, ISNA and several MYNA advisers realized that the zealousness for MYNA was dying. They then set out to revitalize MYNA by appointing a board with members who had expressed an interest in MYNA. Graduates and advisers were asked to join and then additional members, who the board felt would help to reformat MYNA, were also invited.
Q: Who sits on the MYNA Advisory Board?
A: The Board consists of:
Monem Salam
Assim Muhammad
Asad Sidiqqui
Hassan Siddiqi
Ayesha Kazmi
Riyad Shamma
The board’s goal was to create a plan that would revitalize MYNA. After analyzing MYNA’s past the board decided the best course for MYNA that would assure a long future was to hire an executive director.
Q: Who is the new MYNA executive director?
A: There was an initial search, and then extensive interviewing to find the ideal candidate. However, instead of hiring one full-time employee, the board settled on two part-time directors. Iman Ibrahim was hired as the Director of Public Relations and Inayet Sahin was hired as the Director of Operations. The two positions were chosen to ensure continuity and that goals would be achieved with an assurance of longevity. The organization now has been restructured with 50-year goals in mind.
Q: Now what is MYNA aiming to achieve?
A: Though all of this is still in an infancy stage, the directors want to recreate MYNA to help parents, communities and youth establish, organize and coordinate youth activities. They want MYNA to be a support as a resource center and grow beyond direct planning and instant camps and conferences. But have no fear, because those were such a strong part of MYNA a leadership camp is in the works for December.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: Contact Iman Ibrahim and join the MYNA mailing list. As a youth growing up in North America, MYNA was the only avenue some had to establish connections with Muslims across the country. From the beaches of California to the fields of Texas and the parks of Virginia, MYNA brought youth together. With a possible revitalization of MYNA, this may cause many to reflect on past conferences, camps, FYLTPs, MYNA@ISNA conferences and road trips. But to bring all these back to life, and to let the new MYNA youth experience the joys of yesterday, MYNA is asking for help. Turn around and look at your community and help bring that spirit of MYNA back. Join the mailing list, donate to MYNA and establish a youth group in your local masjid or community.
