IT WAS REALLY AMAZING to have our first MAS Youth Revive in Yonkers yesterday. For our first time, we really limited our attendees to high schoolers and college students. We had around 30 brothers between MAS Youth group in Yonkers and MAS Youth group in the Bronx with a couple who do not belong to any. They basically came to play basketball, I think. The program was a mix between some fun, educational, and spiritual activities. It was really a tough mix to have. We started the program with Salat al-Maghrib while every one was joining in the salah. After Salah, I picked the microphone to set the tone for this event. "This event is not a play time." I said. "It was also not a program for everyone to do what he wants. It is an organized program in which we all have to be together." Mashaa Allah, the response from the youth was very good. They were all together and being part of the program.
We all went into our favorite room, Andalusia School 5th grade (it even has a MAS Youth sign on it) for a 1 hour halaqah. We spent the halaqah discussing the hadith of the prophet in which he told Moadth, "Have Taqwa wherever you are, follow a bad deed with a good one it will wipe it out, and deal with people with a good character." The discussion was preceded by an explanation for the MAS Youth Revive program, what it means, and why it is important to the development of the Youth balanced Muslim personality.
We then prepared ourselves for Salat al-Isha which was lead by my dear brother Taha from MAS Youth in the Bronx. He sure has a beautiful voice. "Brother Wael, there is no time to warm up. Let us go to basketball." Said almost every one. But we must warm up. Then we had my favorite game that brings a lot of excitement to the any program. It is a trade mark of any MAS Youth program in Yonkers now. If you want to know how much excitement this game creates, see this picture.
Now, basketball mini-tournament begins. Eight captains were chosen randomly--well, not quite randomly--to form eight teams each of which is 4 players. We had two full hours of fun basketball. I must tell you, there were real skills. We sure can form a very competitive basketball team. Although basketball was not my favorite game, I really enjoyed watching the tournament. It was a tough competition. It was quite hard to convince the crowd to leave the basketball court except when Allah sent us 6 pies of hot delicious pizza along with some drinks. After a long time of playing basketball, this was hard to resist.Pizza time was so nice. We got to know one another and we got to charge the battery after a long session of basketball. NOW THE HARD PART BEGINS: how are we going to put everyone to sleep? Every one wanted to stay up. Some wanted to go back for basketball, some wanted to socialize. some wanted to read Quraan. But after an hour of struggle, most went into a deep sleep. zzzz
3 hours later, "EVERY ONE WAKE UP" I shouted! and in a few minutes we were lining up for Qiam followed by Fajr followed by the morning Dhikr.
After a few minutes of warming up soccer tournament took place during which the Bronx brothers showed real skills. However, the winners were not from the Bronx :-)
We then lined up for conclusion and some pictures.
I ask Allah Ta'ala to make this event in the scale of every one who organized, helped, and attended this program. Despite the tiredness, I really look forward to the next MY Revive!
MAS YOUTH of Yonkers and the Bronx, we need your comments and feedback on the program. Do not feel afraid to say your opinion frankly and appropriately. Anything funny happened? Anything you learned? Anything you want to have in our next Revive? Anything we should NOT have in our next Revive? Any ideas? Anything?
