By: Rena Joy C. Castigador
The University Digest
WMSU
Envision a typical group of school 'tambays', together with a several frat members organizing an outreach and feeding program. Or, better yet, a group of goon-looking guys clustering on the field reading and discussing the Holy Quran. Inconceivable? Not Quite!
I present to you a Muslim Youth Movement (MYM) – a newly organized group of Mulim students and youth organizations in our university where above mentioned scenarios are but common. Aiming for sustainable peace and development in the academe and community, the group had organized a variety of outreach, feeding, and training programs, collaborating with different campus youth organizations, which are aligned with their objectives.
How the org came to be
The escalating occurrence of misunderstanding, (e.g. group tensions and misunderstandings) among orgs within the academy led a group of concerned student leaders from different Muslim orgs to sit together on June 2008. They felt the necessity to discuss and come up with a way to reinstate the lost peace between Muslim students. They have brought into being an organization and dubbed it as the Muslim Youth Movement, which at present led by Muhamammad Ryan Jukupan acting Chairman along with Mr. Nurhasan Danial as adviser.
The organizations main purpose is to propmote sustainable peace and development in Zamboanga and other part of the region. They have organized several leadership trainings, feeding and outreach programs, with the collaboration of different organizations, for the war victims and unfortunate people.
Picking Members
MYM is largely composed of male Muslim students; however, they also have female and non-Muslim members. All applicants are screened properly and have to pass series of examinations that will test their intentions and dedication before they will be absorbed in the organization.
Programs/Advocacies
- Operation: Food for peace
MYM believes that one way of attaining peace in through feeding the ill-fated street children, poor Muslims, Lumads and Christians.
They had launched several feeding programs benefiting various people in the different barangays of Zamboanga City.
- Enlivening Lihal
MYM wishes to revive the "lihal" tradition in selected places – where the murids (pupils) ages 7 to 13 would read the Quran every morning before breakfast for their hearts' enlightenment. This simple act will help out in contributing peace in the country.
- Shura: Youth Consultative Assembly
A movement believes in the capability of the youth, MYM exercise the Youth Consultative Assembly – a way to heed the youth's voices. Through consultation, better understanding of the varied beliefs and culture may be fostered.
- Islamic Leadership Academy
This is the core program of MYM. Trainings are planned to cultivate its members into dynamic and productive elements of the community. This program is perceived to be the background of peace-building as it shall facilitate in shaping youthful minds into promising leaders of the future who will put into practice the Islamic manner of governance.
Peace for the others may be a five letter-word. But astonishingly, this five-letter word can craft countless organizations-making peace the sole basis of their existence. MuslimYouth Movement will keep on avocating for sustainable peace until it has been attained here on our community.
