MYNA

Established in 1985, the Muslim Youth of North America began as it currently runs: as an organization
for the youth, by the youth.

The realization that the growing and vibrant, yet marginalized and neglected, segment of Muslim

America, its youth, were without the means and opportunity to channel and cultivate their talents and energies in a truly impacting and Islamic fashion led to the inception of an idea - an idea that inspired a determined group of youth to organize programs at ISNA conventions and conferences.

In the summer of 1985, upon the conclusion of a youth program at that year’s annual ISNA Convention, the ISNA Youth Committee decided to take their idea to the next level. The committee felt it was time to create and establish an independently existing continental organization. After MYNA as an idea was presented, discussed, debated, and structurally fine-tuned at the First

Annual Muslim Youth Winter Conference in December of 1985, it was approved. This winter marked the beginning of MYNA’s history as an organization.

As with any institution, MYNA faced many organizational challenges and hurdles that led to its evolution as a functioning entity. This evolution took MYNA through periods of fragmentation and regional
disconnect as camps, conferences, chapters, and national governing structures failed to function
cohesively. This disintegration of unified and collaborative works led to a long periods of inactivity.

Several unsuccessful attempts were made to revive and collect MYNA’s entities under a single umbrella
of leadership. Despite the many bumps in the road, MYNA’s alumni continued to encourage and tirelessly support MYNA, alongside the undying assistance of ISNA’s leadership.

In August of 2006, ISNA hired a full-timeyouth director. In September of that year, ISNA’s President appointed a new national board of advisors,the Majlis Youth Committee (MYC). In December of the same year, the MYC elected a MYNA ExecutiveCommittee. In July of 2007, after many years of stagnation, inactivity, and absence from the scene of activism, MYNA held it first National Retreat in Akron, OH. 81 youth from 18 states and provinces were in attendance. During the retreat, the Executive Committee established 9 regions to be represented by a total of 14 regional representatives. These regions stretched from Texas and Michigan, to the provinces of Canada.

Since MYNA’s ’07 revival, MYNA has cycled through several Executive Committees, drafted its own
constitution and charter, organized and held dozens of regional and national camps across the United
States and Canada, successfully organized annual MYNA Conventions in concurrence with the annual
ISNA and MSA conventions, and established additional regions of MYNA activity through new structures such Regional Executive Committees (REC). MYNA’s work and influence has touched and inspired thousands of youth across the United States and Canada. Its efforts have even brought the attention of the U.S. Department of State as a key player in shaping the American Muslim identity and combating the destructive forces that affect the Muslim World as a whole.

Many new initiatives and efforts currently under wraps or under development will be released
soon. Stay tuned to the MYNA site for the most current information, and feel free to contact the
MYNA Executive Committee with questions on current MYNA happenings and how to get involved:
ec@myna.org.