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By Shahla Khan, IFN Staff Reporter
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Tuesday, 03 November 2009 |
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Page 6 of 6
Seeking the right path
Peer support is a fundamental necessity for every Muslim teen. It is easy to become part of a crowd so one can be accepted; taking a stand, on the other hand, requires individuality and stamina, which can be bolstered by the right group of friends.
Organizations such as Muslim Student Association, Muslim Youth of North America, Muslim American Society Youth and local youth groups can harbor excellent social environments for teens to interact with others they can identify with in a positive way.
Community members can also work together to organize outdoor camps, volunteer activities, community potlucks, youth hikes, Islamic lectures and social events that can provide the social interaction that teens desire while solidifying the educational framework needed towards building stronger intellectual, physical, and spiritual personalities.
"Allah has put them in a position that perhaps no one else is in," notes Sheema Khan, former advisor for MYNA in eastern Canada. "They have the means to communicate with their peers, they have an understanding of what they're going through, plus they have the guidance of Islam."
Khan and Anwar agree that perhaps the best support system for Muslim teens in America is, in fact, Muslim teens themselves; being amongst other youth who are positive role models, whom they can identify with and can share experiences with is perhaps an ideal way to promote confidence, develop optimistic behaviors, and improve self-esteem.
“My advice to teens is to make the right decisions; if you see your friends doing these things, encourage them early on and help them out,” said Anwar. “You are old enough to make decisions for yourself, so it’s in your best interest to choose the right friends, follow the right path, and help each other out.”
* Names have been changed to protect privacy.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 04 December 2009 )
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