Building a Muslim Identity

Here are some ways for Muslim teens to build a Muslim identity and to take pride in projecting and passing on Islam to non Muslims:


Be Flexible and Accommodating
No Islamic organization or event is going to go 100% the way you want it. While events and organizations you encounter and work with aren’t what you feel to be perfect, ignore the bad and run with the good.

Islamic Dress Code: Flag of the Muslim
While many teens struggle with the idea of wearing a Hijab, beard or Kurta, in actual fact this becomes your draw card to inviting others to an alternative lifestyle. You’d be astonished at how many non Muslims will look at you as a person of ideals and principles when you dress as a Muslim.

Power of a Youth Camp or Retreat
When the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam grew up in Makkah, he would go alone to the Cave of Hira to reflect. After Prophethood, this practice of temporary seclusion to worship Allah continued in Ramadan when the Prophet r made I’tikaf in the Musjid. Many kids attend public schools and are unable to spend time with large groups of Muslims their age. When they go to Islamic youth camps/conferences and find others just like them who share the same experiences and struggles, it goes a long way in solidifying their Muslim identity. Other great ways to change your life in ways you can’t while living life ‘normally’ with school, work and home are to join a Tabligh Jamaat for a weekend, an Ijtima (Islamic lecture gathering), an event scheduled with senior Ulama or an I’tikaaf program.