Youth Education Program
The IIT is in the process of developing a comprehensive program for youth engagement and development. The program, to be developed in partnership with youth in our community will focus on all aspects of youth engagement - from recreation to leadership development.
CONTACT: Brother Dawood Zwink
Youth Training Program - Imam Dr. Zijad Delic at IIT
2010-02-22
This past weekend, the IIT Community benefited from the wisdom of Imam Zijad Delic when he addressed multiple gatherings at the IIT in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Delic is National Executive Director of the Canadian Islamic Congress and a former Imam in Vancouver, Canada.
Imam Delic delivered a heart-warming sermon on Friday, February 19th, and later addressed the IIT Friday Night Adult Class (a class on Islamic Spirituality taught by Shaikh Ahmad Kutty). Imam Delic spoke eloquently on the topic Muslim Families in the West – Criteria for Success. Building upon the foundation of Awareness of God, Dr. Delic emphasized that a Muslim family is only successful if it embodies the universal principles of love, justice and compassion in a manner that is pleasing to God.
One student expressed the feelings of many when he said "Imam Delic tells us what we have known for a long time, but in a manner that is both appealing and practical."
Dr. Delic was also the guest speaker at the introduction of the IIT Youth Initiative – a comprehensive plan to engage the youth of our community. He spoke on Friday night and on Saturday on the unique nature of youth and the positive contribution they can bring to society. On Identity and Mission, he said that Canadian Muslim Youth should be clear that there should be no contradiction between the multiple identities we own: national, religious or vocational, and that Muslim Youth have a unique opportunity to forge a Canadian Islamic Culture that is at once loyal to the Islamic faith yet expresses such faith in a uniquely Canadian way.
Dr. Delic was himself impressed with the intelligence confidence and positive outlook of the youths who attended the session. "These kids have great potential", he said. "I am impressed with their sense of self and their willingness to engage."
The IIT Youth Initiative, led by Br. Dawood Zwink, seeks to develop Muslim youth with the personalities and skills that will engender a constructive integration in Canadian society. A formal launch of the initiative will be held on March 27th at the IIT. Youths who are between the ages of 16 and 25 and are interested are asked to contact Brother Dawood.