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Our Team

Issra Killawi

Issra Killawi is a Resource Development Manager with The Family and Youth Institute. She graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design and a minor in Art. She has interned with The FYI previously and co-authored The FYI’s Marriage Prep Toolkit. Since then, she has contributed to co-creating and improving many resources, including The FYI’s very first online course, Prepare to Pair for courting and engaged couples. She has previous experience in youth program development and community organizing.

Issra’s passion is in making research accessible through creative and engaging means to build stronger communities. She is based in New Jersey, and enjoys sewing and handicrafts in her free time.

Involvement

Articles

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5 Things Muslim Therapists Wish You Knew About Children and Domestic Abuse

“If they aren’t getting physically hurt, your kids will be fine. Children forget these things easily. It’s you and your...
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The Power of a Positive Home Environment: What the Research Says

Do you ever wonder how you can be a better parent? What about having a more positive environment at home?...
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Why Our Children Need An Islam-Centered Health Education

In this article, Amber Khan, D.O., explains why she wrote the six-level book series Islamic Health and what she hopes...
Muslim Mental Health Myths

3 Muslim Mental Health Myths that Might be Holding You Back

When we’re struggling with a mental illness, we sometimes feel alone–often because of the stigma about mental illness in Muslim...
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Podcasts

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Episode 2: To Stop or to Keep Going? Self Control After Ramadan

About the Episode Did you know that there are different types of self control? In this episode, we discuss two...
Busy man waiting for something important

Episode 1: Growing Patient in Ramadan

About the Episode Ramadan, patience, self control, compassion – how are these words related to one another? While we wrestle...
Holidays and Identity Podcast Cover Art

Holidays & Identity

About the Episode: Every year, right around Halloween and until after Christmas, the same conversation pops up in our Muslim...
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Zakat eligibility of The FYI

The Family & Youth Institute, or The FYI, is a well-known Muslim organization in the United States. It works to promote mental health and wellness by strengthening and empowering individuals, families, and communities through research and education. It has been working for many years to bring Islamic perspectives to understanding and promoting mental health in our communities.

It is dedicated to serving and supporting Muslims – safeguarding our deen, our families, and our future generations. Therefore, the work of The FYI comes in the category of ‘fi sabeelillah’ or the Path of Allah, within the eight categories where Zakat money can be used.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah, is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah 9:60)

According to scholars who widen the meaning of fee sabeelillah to include any activities that promote Islamic growth, The FYI is indeed eligible to receive part of the Zakat funds for its programs and services. I urge Muslims in America to support this organization through their donations, general charity, and through their Zakat. I ask Allah swt to strengthen and guide The FYI to continue its good work in supporting Muslims.

Shaikh Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD

About Shaikh Ali

Sh. Ali Suleiman Ali was born in Ghana where he spent his childhood studying with various Muslim scholars. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the Islamic University of Madina.  He graduated with a degree in both Arabic and Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali went on to complete his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sh. Ali serves on the Advisory Council of The Family & Youth Institute. He is the Senior Imam and Director of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton, Michigan. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Muslim Family Services in Detroit and is a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). He is also a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) and the Association of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA).