Much has been said about the sad state of today's youth. We constantly hear our elders complaining how we — the youth of today — have lost our morality and values. But is a concerted effort being made to instill in us the correct values, and to guide us on a path of virtue? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Where are the organizations that offer constructive extramural activities? Most communities are lacking in youth empowerment activities. For most students, their only opportunity to engage in these activities comes from the Muslim Students Association at their universities.

WAMY (World Association of Muslim Youth) decided that something needed to be done. At the Durban-based WAMY in South Africa, a dynamic young woman took the initiative to introduce a training and leadership course for youth.

Nahida Abdulwahid Esmail was born and bred in Tanzania. In January 2005, she relocated to South Africa, where she taught Arabic at a Muslim high school for girls.

Esmail became aware of the paucity of youth activity and thought of running her own workshops from home, for both youth and adults. She was also disappointed by the lack of facilities available and commented that "Muslims constitute a miniscule two percent of South Africa's population. It's sad that there aren't alternative sources of entertainment for the youth. We shouldn't complain that our children frequent the clubs and casinos. We should be blaming ourselves."

The director of WAMY South Africa, Mohammed Amra, learned of her ambitions and offered her a full-time job as youth coordinator at WAMY. Esmail said, "When I first started, there was no set structure to follow. However, WAMY did have a goal. Their aim is to enable youth to reach their full leadership potential in order to serve the Ummah at large."

WAMY was piloting the project when Esmail came on board. Esmail introduced a structured program where participants meet once a week on Friday evenings. Learners are taught skills such as leadership, patience, volunteerism, and team building. Education is a key element of the course.

Esmail's first priority was to inculcate a practical aspect to the program involving community service. Students were urged to think what the needs of orphans might be. The students were enthusiastic about the project, and Esmail is pleased with their efforts. "Some of the students held a tea morning where they invited over fifty women, and charged them 50 rand each. Others presented a slide show on the orphanage, highlighting the needs of the orphanage and thus raised money from donations," she reflected with a smile.

At a recent family trade fair, students set up a stall selling T-shirts, badges, and other paraphernalia to raise money for the Umbumbulu orphanage.

Leadership in Islam is a huge responsibility, and participants who undergo the course could well be the next community leaders in the future. The course is free and open to all youth. At the end of the course, participants are evaluated on their involvement in the course and on how it has affected them personally.

We asked WAMY youth course group leader Farah Dawood, for her feedback.

Q: What motivated you to participate in the course?

A: Our school received an invitation for students to participate in the course. Upon hearing this, my attention was immediately aroused. Opportunities like these are unfortunately rare in our community. I am fortunate to have hopped on board the euphoric and rewarding WAMY train. I have not looked back! The pilot training course in December 2004 was a positively captivating and enriching program and has ensured our further commitment.

Q: What skills have you gained from the course?

A: The course has dealt with various aspects of life — personal development, spiritual upliftment, leadership potential, self perception, and individual growth. It teaches one to unlock one's true potential so each of us may shine and be a guiding light in our clouded Ummah. To quote the former president Nelson Mandela, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves — who am I to be brilliant and talented? Who are you not to be? You are a child of God — your playing small does not help the world. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Q: What are your goals in life, and how has the course helped you toward achieving your goals?

A: I have many goals, aspirations, and dreams. In sha' Allah, my future will be bright. I would like to strike a balance between being a pious believer, developing my business acumen, maintaining a healthy social life, and engaging in sporting activities. The course has taught me how to attain tranquility in my life by turning to Allah and how to focus on my goals to achieve success. It is a holistic course designed to enable us to live a harmonious life in a multi-faceted society, which is compatible with our Islamic beliefs.

Q: Tell us of your experiences on trips, and the camaraderie that exists between you and your colleagues.

A: We have had innumerable memorable experiences. The most rewarding experiences were the trip to the Bamba Sandla (Holding Hands), Home of Safety, and to the Umbumbulu orphanage. The immense joy that we brought to those children, through our simple gestures, touched us all in an unimaginable way. We now share an unconditional bond with those beautiful kids.

The camaraderie is present in every activity, as each one requires team effort. It's encouraging to note the remarkable ideas, feedback and positive spirit that emanates from individuals when they work in a group.

Q: How has the course personally influenced your life?

A: Al-hamdu lillah, the course has given me direction in life, and has laid the foundations for my future success. It has granted me the confidence to take my place in society and the support to believe in my own worth.