Beyond the Classroom!
MYI Closes Summer with an Action-Packed Outdoor Retreat!
Alhamdulillah, Muslim Youth Initiative (MYI), a supported project of ours, held an unforgettable retreat for the youth from Friday, August 31st to Sunday, September 1st, at the beautiful Tolmers Activity Centre, just outside North London. The weekend was filled with adventure, fun games as well as Imaan boosting activities.
At the heart of the retreat was the valuable Islamic content delivered by Shaykh Sohail Gachi, who guided the attendees through the Tafsir (explanation) of Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Al-Kafiroon.
Shaykh Sohail broke down the key lessons that these surahs offer young Muslims today, emphasizing the values of sincerity, understanding Tawheed (oneness of Allah), and remaining steadfast in a world that sometimes challenges their identity and beliefs.
Shaykh Sohail, with his deep knowledge and engaging teaching style, ensured that the sessions were accessible and relevant to the younger audience. His prior training of the retreat team allowed for smaller group discussions where volunteers helped the girls particularly engage deeply with the Tafsir, reflecting on how these surahs can shape their everyday lives.
Of course, learning wasn't the only thing on the agenda! The retreat was packed with exhilarating activities designed to challenge the young attendees physically and mentally.
One of the highlights was the raft-building challenge, where teams were tasked with constructing rafts and testing their engineering skills by seeing if their creations would float while they sat on them. It was a blast watching their creativity and teamwork in action!
Other thrilling activities included kayaking and a wildly fun “Water Wars” session, where participants engaged in a strategic water fight using water balloons and forts. Team building continued with games like “Dash and Grab,” where teams raced to capture flags from their opponents, and the creative challenge of building structures using lollipop sticks and pipe cleaners.
The art sessions allowed the children to showcase their creative sides, and competitions like cup stacking brought out their competitive spirit.
Prizes were awarded to the winning teams and individuals who demonstrated exceptional effort, recitation, and helpfulness throughout the weekend.
Evening campfires under the stars created a warm, peaceful atmosphere where the children could enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows.
A night walk through the woodlands added a sense of adventure, giving the participants a new experience of the outdoors in the dark.
Our contribution to the success of the retreat was immense. We are committed to the Tarbiyyah (holistic education and nurturing) of the Muslim youth. We provide trained staff and volunteers who served as role models throughout the weekend. Their dedication ensured that the young attendees not only had fun but also took away valuable life lessons rooted in the Islamic tradition. MRDF scholars, like Shaykh Sohail, are a vital part of this initiative, delivering content that is both deeply rooted in the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah and tailored to the realities of young Muslims growing up in the UK.
We look forward to more events like this, where the Muslim Youth Initiative, with the support of MRDF, can continue to nurture the next generation of confident, informed, and spiritually connected young Muslims. Stay tuned for our upcoming programmes and events!
Jazakum Allahu Khairan.