The CuRe: Understanding Culture and Religion

BY JAMIL ABOUSHAAR

Something special happened on the second floor of Chicago’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center this past Labor Day weekend.

There was no better place for this nation’s Muslim youth to be as the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA; https://www. myna.org) hosted its 37th annual convention. MYNA presented an all-encompassing experience for the participants, from listening to impactful lectures delivered by some of this country’s top scholars to reuniting with friends in faith. The thousands of youth coming from different regions united for the sake of God, a truly wonderful sight to behold — especially because the entire event had been planned by the youth for the youth.

One of the global Muslim community’s biggest struggles is balancing deen with dunya. For youth, the struggle is even more convoluted due to the influences coming from their friends and family, Muslim society in the U.S., American culture, as well as their ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Each one of these pulls them in a different direction and forces them to navigate their surrounding environment’s endless hurdles to find and understand the balance. “The CuRe: Understanding Culture and Religion,” the ethos of this gathering, sought to help them with this undertaking.

This relevant theme ensured that every seat was filled during the lectures and workshops. Youth listened to speakers such as Mufti Hussain Kamani (imam, Islamic Center of Chicago; instructor, Qalam Institute), Shaykh Abdulnasir Jangda (founder and director, Qalam Institute), Shaykh Ubaydullah Evans (ALIM’s first scholar-in-residence), Shaykha Ieasha Prime (resident scholar and curriculum director, Islamic Society of Baltimore) and Dr. Dalia Mogahed (director of research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding).

Lectures touched on subjects like the seera and Quran while addressing LGBTQ+, feminism, toxic influences and other social issues.

The instant you entered the “MYNA Zone,” you could see that something was different. The sense of community fostered through MYNA events is unlike other youth-focused programs. Coming from across the nation, they all have different backgrounds, upbringings, experiences and interests — and yet act as if they are blood related. They had last encountered each other months — if not years — ago, but when they met it was as if no time had passed. From the long-time campers and volunteers to the first-ever attendees, all of them shared a comfort and sense of belonging. They displayed their power throughout the convention, even during the main ISNA sessions, for their chants could be heard throughout the hall.

As the program was closing and attendees were leaving the final session, there was a surprise waiting for them in the MYNA lounge area: a special Quran recitation session by young qurra’ (reciters). The beautiful recitation of an elementary-aged boy, emulating the recitation style of Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad, one of the most iconic modern reciters, clearly softened the audience’s hearts as they gathered to bask in the joy of listening to God’s words.