The Family and Youth Institute is dedicated to the production of educational materials that provide research-based information in formats that are both educational as well as creative. To that end, The Family and Youth Institute has embarked on a mission to create a variety of multi-media resources including webinars, animated videos as well as video testimonials and recordings of workshops and lectures that we have given in communities around the United States and Canada. We hope you find these resources entertaining as well as informative!
Animations
Owning Our Legacy: Muslims & Mental Health
Many times when Muslims face mental health challenges, our communities respond with a lot of resistance to therapeutic or psychiatric care. However, many don’t know about our deep legacy as Muslims and our contributions to mental health! In this video, we learn how Muslim scholars from the 7th-13th centuries pioneered psychological contributions that are still in use to this day.
Youth Risk Behaviors – What Can Parents Do?
With the rise of drugs, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, and premarital sex among Muslim college students, parents must wonder how they could prevent these challenges from happening in the first place! This video highlights research-based parenting techniques that can help address these challenges.
Seven Things to Consider Before Saying “I Do”
With reports of unhappy marriages and rising divorce rates among American Muslim couples, how can you decrease the likelihood of becoming another statistic? The Family and Youth Institute introduces “7 Things to Consider Before Saying “I Do.” Check out these research-backed bits of advice to help guide you on the way towards a more realistic and harmonious relationship.
Six Ways to Build Better Relationships with Youth
As a parent, youth worker, or teacher, you may not realize the impact you can have on the youth in your community. Did you know that young people with mentors are less likely to engage in risky behaviors? Those with mentors are also more likely to have a better relationship with their parents, better communication skills, and higher self-esteem. But how do you build positive and meaningful relationships with youth? Watch this video for 6 ways to make it happen!
Seven Tips for More Effective Youth Programming
Muslim youth were asked to identify their top 4 challenges growing up in the United States. One in four stated they do not feel supported by the environment around them. Community centers, youth programs, and masjid communities can do a lot to help Muslim youth feel supported. Check out these 7 tips and pointers to plan and develop programming that is sure to impress the young people in your community.
Seven Ways to Build Positive Relationships with In-Laws
American Muslim couples are reporting that their in-law relationships are a major source of stress and marital conflict. What can couples do to create more positive relationships with their in-laws and in turn, better their own marriage relationship? Check out these 7 tips for a more harmonious marriage through active steps towards harmonious relationships with your in-laws.
Seven Ways to Support Muslim Youth Facing Bullying
Jameelah is a confident middle schooler who has recently faced bullying at school. She doesn’t know if she should tell her parents or teachers and is not sure what to do. How do you know if your child is being bullied? What is the percentage of bullying incidents against American Muslim youth? Learn the answers to these questions and more as we follow Jameelah’s story and her experiences with bullying at school.
My Voice, My Life – “When You Are One Of A Few”
Meet Dawud as he goes through his day trying to be a good Muslim and strive for Jannah! This video is one of the submissions from The FYI’s 2018 My Voice, My Life Youth Audio Contest! Students from all over the nation were asked to submit 2-minute audio clips sharing their life as a Muslim in America.
My Voice, My Life – “This IS My Country”
Follow along as our young friend discusses her multiple identities as a Muslim American and how she feels when she’s treated like she doesn’t belong. “Are these identities mutually exclusive?” she asks. Listen as she comes to a powerful conclusion!
My Voice, My Life – “Never Stop Staring”
Listen as this young Muslim woman shares her experiences living out her faith on a daily basis. From the halls of her high school to the depths of her faith, she leans on Islam as a guide and comfort.
The audio for this video was submitted for The Family and Youth Institute’s Youth Audio Contest by a high-school-aged contestant. Students were asked to tell a story about how they feel as young Muslims growing up in America. These are her own words, unscripted and original.
Webinars
Growing in Ramadan with the Family
This webinar recording shared with the audience practical tips and resources on how to effectively utilize the blessed month to enhance family bonding and increase spirituality for all members (parents and kids alike!) utilizing specific activities involving the Qur’an, prayers, food and charity. Click here for the list of Ramadan resources mentioned in the webinar.
Before You Say “I Do” – A Pre-Marriage Education Webinar
This introduction to marriage education webinar shared with the audience practical tips and resources to help prepare for the commitment of a lifetime.
“Mama, I Don’t Want Them to Know I’m Muslim” – Raising Kids with Strong Identity
In this webinar recording, Dr. Madiha Tahseen, Research Fellow with The Family and Youth Institute shares her ground-breaking research in American Muslim identity development and shares parenting tips as well as highlights to her research. Noor Kids founder and CEO, Amin Aaser shares his inspirational personal story of how he went from a kid who bleached his hair blonde to “fit in better” to understanding the importance of integrating Islamic principles, Muslim culture and American sensibilities when raising children.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes – Supporting Children and Families with Special Needs
Listen to Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Uzma Manzoor of MUHSEN and Dr. Sameera Ahmed of The Family and Youth Institute discuss tips and pointers on behavior management in the home and what the masjid community can do to create an environment that is more opening and accepting to children and families with special needs.
American Muslim Youth – Stereotypes, Risks, and Resilience
The Family and Youth Institute, in collaboration with the Institute for Social Policy & Understanding (ISPU) recently published a report entitled: State of American Muslim Youth – Research & Recommendations. In this webinar, the authors of this report, Dr. Sameera Ahmed, Sadiq Patel, and Hanan Hashem summarized their key findings, gave recommendations and provided valuable insight into how individuals, families and communities can support Muslim youth and promote strength and resilience.
Homework with Boys – Why Boys are Struggling in School and What We Can Do About It
A school psychologist and former educator discuss the unique challenges that boys face in the education system and what parents and youth workers can do to help them succeed. Sadiq Patel, MSW and Hiat Saleh, M.A. will highlight recent research around this topic and give tips and pointers as well as answer questions that the listeners posed.

Mental Health Stigma – Webinar
For more reasons than one, many people still do not choose to seek treatment or fear disclosure of mental health issues in the American Muslim community. Stigma is one of the largest factors contributing to this health disparity in the American Muslim community. The speakers on the panel will discuss the impact of stigma in the Muslim communities they serve, share personal stories of dealing with a mental health condition and the path to recovery, and address what we need to consider in order to address stigma in the community.
American Muslim Identity in the Age of Islamophobia – Webinar
We are in a time where we are seeing a rise in Islamophobia and hate crimes. For many, this is a time of a test of faith. Through this conversation, we reflect on the hadith “The people will see a time of patience in which someone adhering to his religion will be as if he were grasping a hot coal.” The webinar will discuss self-care mechanisms to help our community, particularly the youth, to stay connected with their faith and helping the community reclaiming and connecting with the American Muslim identity during a time that identity is often questioned.Workshops
The FYI Mentoring Muslim Youth Workshop
This video gives an overview of The Family and Youth Institute’s “Mentoring Muslim Youth” Workshop.
The FYI Pre-Marriage Workshop
This video gives an overview of The Family and Youth Institute’s Pre-Marriage Workshop.
The Bullying Prevention and Intervention Workshop
This video gives an overview of The Family and Youth Institute’s Bullying Prevention Workshop.
The FYI Mental Health Workshop
This video gives an overview of The Family and Youth Institute’s Mental Health Workshop.
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