Halaqas
The 2023 Muslim Youth Day program will center around the theme of “Islam & the pursuit of happiness” . We have an exciting lineup of renowned speakers who will discuss this important topic and answer your questions such as:
“What is true happiness and how do I achieve it?”
“How do I overcome sadness and grief?"
"Can I truly be happy by abstaining from the haram everyone else does"?
"What does the Quran and our Prophet ﷺ say about happiness?"
Speakers
Imam Aamir Shaikh
Shaikh Aamir currently serves as the Director of Religious Services at DAT. He oversees its various educational and spiritual programs and is critical in helping engage the community both inside and outside of the premises.
Shaikh Aamir previously served as the Imam of the Islamic Society of Annapolis, Makkah Learning Center and Masjid Alansar. He oversaw a weekend school, evening school, homeschool and hifz program, and various online learning programs.. He has participated in interfaith work through the Anne Arundel Muslim Council, ACT, and GAIN . He has been a scholar, religious teacher, and spiritual guide in the Islamic field for over a decade in the Maryland area, and has authored multiple works.
Imam Mahmoud Abdelhady
Imam Mahmoud Abdel-Hady is the Imam of Maryum Islamic Center and Masjid in Ellicott City, Maryland, as well as a part-time advisor and instructor with Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA).
He is also well known for his service to the community, including offering marriage counseling to many families and taking an active role in interfaith and Dawah efforts. Imam Abdelhady served the community as the imam of Dar Al Taqwa in Ellicott City for 19 years.
Ayman Nassar
Founder of Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA), and Youth Crisis Line, with over 30+ years of experience youth and leadership development and business transformation and project portfolio management. He holds a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and a second Masters degree in Engineering Management & Systems Engineer and several leadership & management certificates. As director of EmpoweReer program he oversees the academic portion and learning experience of the participants.
Sister Rafia Saeed
Sister Rafia has been an ILIA volunteer for several years. Her passion for teaching youth led her to take up teaching Islamic studies at Dar al Taqwa. Her expertise is teaching QuranHive studies and Seerah for Sisters. In her psare time, sister Rafia enjoys traveling and owns her own business which was featured in BBC Asia.
Muhammad Abdul-Ali
Br. Muhammad Abdul-Ali is a native Washingtonian. He attended the Islamic Saudi Academy in VA, then DC public schools until his high school graduation. Though it was a difficult to juggle between sports like basketball, soccer and running track, alhamdoulellah, he was able to navigate. Not only that, alhamdoulellah, he won the city championship in all three sports before graduation. Also, Br. Muhammed piloted programs for his peers during a wave of gun violence through the city in a campaign sponsored by US Justice Department. In addition, he made local TV and radio appearances with local celebrities to help end the violence. He received an honorable mention for his work with the Princeton Prize for race relations, which was presented by then-Senator Barrack Obama. After graduation, Muhammad received a full scholarship to play soccer in college and continued his link to youth advocacy work by helping underserved youth in South East D.C.
