This year’s ICOI Youth Group camp was another experience in my life in which at first, I thought I was volunteering to help and to kindle the flame of inspiration in others, but in reality, I was the one who was helped and who was inspired by each of the camp attendees, by the speakers, by my fellow counselors and administrators, and by the sheer magnificence of the camp’s surroundings.
The uniqueness of friendship for the sake of Allah (swt) was most evident over our weekend retreat. As I observed the youth of our community learning about our deen together, enjoying team activities together, eating together, praying together, trusting one another, helping one another, sharing their deepest feelings with one another, I could not help but think of the hadith of the Prophet (saw) promising the shade of Allah (swt) to friends who love each other for Allah’s sake. The bonds forged at the camp have not weakened after we all have gone home and continued our lives. Our conversations continue over Facebook, email, text, and even through planned cabin reunions.
Among the highlights of the camp was definitely the presence and inspiration provided by internationally acclaimed poet and performer, Amir Suleiman, the newest addition to our ICOI family, Sheikh Wisam Sharieff, who brought tears to our eyes with his talk on the subject of jan’aa, and my dear friends Muslema Purmul & Jamal Diwan, who both brought their knowledge from their studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt to the beaches of Malibu to awaken our hearts and souls to the reality of our mortality. It is said that to love someone, you must know them inside and out, and these speakers gave each of the attendees a deeper look into the heart of Islam, and I know that we all grew in love for our deen because of this knowledge.
ICOI Youth Group camp was a beautiful mix of soul-searching, making and strengthening bonds of friendship on the foundation of Islam, having fun, getting away from the hustle and bustle of day to day life, and taking time out to be in a beautiful place focused on Allah’s majesty. These types of activities, in just three brief days, enliven the community, strengthen and fashion new young leaders, brighten our future, and develop our ummah as a whole. I would not have traded the experience for the world, and I know so many who would say the same.
