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Active Muslim Youth of British Columbia

The Active Muslim Youth of British Columbia (AMYBC) is a youth organization established by Al-Hajj Usama Al-Atar aimed at educating youth about Islam and helping them in every aspect of their life.

Al-Hajj Usama teaches the Youth how be kind to one another and how to be successful citizens, contributing to their societies.

AMYBC was founded in June 2005. It holds its sessions every Friday night from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Since its start, AMYBC has been actively involved with the Youth introducing variable programs such as Prophet Muhammad Day, where many non-Muslims were invited to learn about Islam and ask any question about Islam. Guest speakers included Mr. Andrew Dawson, the host of The Standard, a daily T.V. show that airs in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto, Canada. Among the invited guests was Dr. Derryl MacLean, Associate Professor of History at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada.

Lady Fatima's Hands, an event conducted in collaboration with Az-Zahraa Islamic Center on July 7^th, 2007, was of no less value. The event was organized to celebrate Muslim women and their contribution to society. Guest speakers included author Fatma Saleh and inspirational speaker Amina Inloes.

AMYBC holds great, annual summer camps with over fifty (50) Youth enjoying their time playing, swimming, kayaking and learning about Islam.

Al-Hajj Usama Al-Atar hopes to educate people about the true message of Islam which holds respect to every thing's rights in this universe, including humans, animals, the environment and the galaxies.

AMYBC SESSIONS

Surrey:
10535 135A Street (at 105A Ave.), Surrey, BC, V3T 4C9

Weekly Youth Sessions are being held every Friday night at Al-Mustafa Academy at the address above.

Program: Start with Maghrib & 'Isha prayers, followed by Lecture/Discussion.

Time: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For more information about AMYBC or for topics and suggestions please send an e-mail to info@usamaalatar.com

For AMYBC Weekly lectures by Al-Hajj Usama Al-Atar, please go to the Lectures/Recitations tab. You need to download Real Player to listen to the lectures.

AMYBC Peace Vigil

On Friday, April 27th, 2007, the AMYBC held a vigil to show their support to the families of those affected by the Virginia Tech incident. The night started with Maghrib and 'Isha prayers, followed by recitation of few verses of the Holy Qur'an by Br. Jawad. This was followed by a short speech by Sr. Laya Behbahani, expressing her thoughts about the incident. Al-Hajj Usama Al-Atar gave his speech about human solidarity and equality, and the value of human life. The event was well presented by Sr. Fatima Al-Samak, who was the MC and also shed her thoughts on the occasion. The event was concluded by holding a flower for each of those who died in the incident and having a moment of contemplation. The response was great and truly showed the values of Islam in respecting human life regardless of religion, race, color or ethnicity.
AMYBC expresses sincere gratitude to all those who participated in the event and made the night a great success.

The MC: Sister Fatima Al-Samak sharing her thoughts on the incident.

On Monday April 16, at about 10:00 in the morning I turned on my television, thinking I need a fresh start to my morning before I start studying. You know, the usual procrastination. I thought, only half an hour, it can't hurt. Well it did. BBC was covering a shooting in a University in Virginia, Virginia Tech. I switched to CNN and surely enough, there was a shooting. That half hour became two and a half hours and then, upset, I shut off the television and pretended to study. Actually, I was too overwhelmed to study. The shootings were not taking place overseas. It wasn't in

Iraq

Afghanistan

or Darfur. The shootings weren't taking place at the Pentagon or the White House. Nor were they targeting a building symbolic of the American Economy. This was a University. Now for those who attend post-secondary, it doesn't take long before you realize this is your second home. My second home Your second home. The ones who were targeted were me and you. They were your friends, my friends. My relatives and your relatives. What was their crime? Seeking knowledge? Giving back to their community? It was this point that bothered me. My Prophet peace be upon him and his progeny, emphasized and encouraged these values. And these innocent students who fell victims to the shooting shared my values. Your values. It is this sharing of values that makes us relate most to the victims. Now, we gather here to share their pain and sorrow and send our deepest empathy to their families and friends. We pray that Allah may give them and us the courage and motivation to continue cherishing these values regardless of the circumstances.

Brother Jawad reciting verses from the Holy Qur'an

Speech by Sister Laya Behbahani:

Sorrow is a part of life one wishes to see no other human being go through.

As we tread through life we eventually figure out that sadness and grief are woven into the fabric of being human and it is inevitable that every single one of us will experience it at some point in our lives. However as every event in life unravels, lessons are to be learnt. It is those lessons that unify us as humanity and reflect the strength and capability we have when we join voices as one for the Quran states, “O humanity, be conscious of your Lord, Who created you of a single soul” (4:1).

The incident at Virginia Tech was a tragedy that no human being should have to endure. The sadness felt by the world was immeasurable and no words can fully relate the hurt we, as Muslims, felt for our brothers and sisters in humanity. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to say that “None of you is a true believer in Islam until and unless he loves for his fellow man what he loves for his own self.” In these times of difficulty, we, as Muslims, can only wish that the events had never happened. However in the wake of sadness we find ourselves standing side by side, uniting our voice and sharing our sense of sorrow with those who are enduring the loss of their loved ones. We pray that the families of those who lost their lives at Virginia Tech find the strength they need to come to peace with their loss. We want them to know that they are in our prayers and that we stand in solidarity and in unity as one for we are all human kind and grief knows no color, religion or status. In Imam Ali (as)’s words, “Loving one another is half wisdom”. Our sincere condolences go out to everyone who was affected by this tragedy, especially the families who lost their loved ones.

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