MYG is a place I never thought I would end up loving. It’s more than just lectures our parents drag us to every Sunday, in fact it has become a family to me as well as for others within the group. It teaches us everything from morals to gender relations. It has taught me how to apply my religion on a daily basis while taking into consideration that I am an American-Muslim, who sometimes struggles when it comes to balancing my Muslim and American identity.

This year, MYG is planning on making our group more spiritual than it was before. Our goal is to not only make our Muslim relationships stronger, but to build our relationships with Allah (SWT) stronger. The group is here to make us love one another for the sake of Allah (SWT) and to help us better connect and understand our struggles as young Muslim Americans. For example, the group is having a 1-week summer program “A Young Muslim’s Guide to Surviving Ramadan” starting July 26 for middle school kids and August 2 for high schoolers and college students (don’t miss it!).

Some of the events we have had in the past will continue to happen in the upcoming year, such as: our Ski Trip in Big Bear, Spiritual Nights at the ICSC, our Annual Summer Retreat, as well as many different community service activities throughout the year. These events are the main events that many “MYG-ers” look forward to attending every year, however, we are also planning other exciting events so we can create new traditions to look forward to.

MYG wants to attract new members so that more kids can join the big loving family we have here at the ICSC. I’m sad that MYG will resume after summer vacation, but I am looking forward to a new year with new additions to the family. And, most importantly, I’m excited to see what the new board has in store for us!

For additional information, visit www.MYG.org as well as the “MYG at the ICSC” Facebook page.