Shadia Yousuf

Islam has a centuries long tradition of inspiring its adherents to contribute to humanity based on conviction in its tenets. Previous generations of Muslims were on the forefront of contributing to medicine, philosophy, architecture, and governance among other areas. We are an institute aiming to rekindle this tradition. Constant negative portrayals of Islam have put Muslims in a defensive position in which they constantly have to justify their convictions, while fighting off the natural doubts and insecurities that arise in such a climate. As such, young Muslims should be intellectually equipped and spiritually anchored in a way that empowers them to deal with the onslaught of doubt-inducing claims routinely leveled against Islam. We aim to actively participate in the current day discourse touching on all topics that are related to establishing conviction in the hearts and minds of young Muslims. The institute aims to be the trusted source regarding these topics by generating well researched Islamic content that is then distilled through various formats including articles, infographics, animations, videos, and cutting edge app technology. This content is then carefully assembled into curricula that can be used by various educators and community leaders to help anchor young Muslims in their faith, and produce thoughtful societal contribution. The Institute is a non-profit research initiative that will make all of its content free and accessible. This will allow everyone looking for answers, and those tasked with giving answers, to always have a comprehensive resource readily available to them. We believe that telling our own story is the only way to counter the narrative that has been forced upon our community.