Introduction to the: Muslim American Youth Foundation (MAYF)

The Muslim American Youth Foundation (MAYF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in King County, and dedicated to empowering and uplifting Muslim-American youth and their communities. Founded by community leaders and activists with over 20 years of experience, MAYF was established in response to the unique challenges facing Muslim-American youth today.

Our mission is to educate, enrich, and enlighten young Muslim-Americans with the tools they need to thrive—in their communities and within the broadere American society. Through faith-based guidance, educational and sports programs, leadership development, and community engagement, we strive to cultivate confident, active, and empowered individuals who contribute positively to their communities and beyond.

Recognizing the urgent need for specialized programs, MAYF launched targeted outreach initiatives to support Muslim-American youth in Washington State. Our efforts revealed a troubling reality: many among the Muslim-American youth are struggling with their identity, faith, and personal development, making them vulnerable to challenges such as drug use, crime, academic struggles, and social pressures.

To address these issues, MAYF is committed to fostering personal growth, access to education and support resources, and providing holistic support. Our programs focus on education, sports and athletics, youth mentoring, outreach and advocacy initiatives, community services, seminars, and field trips, ensuring that every young person has the guidance, resources, and encouragement to navigate modern challenges while staying connected to their faith and culture.

Mission + Vision

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to educate and instil a drive for personal academic success, enrich through experience and expansion of what is really possible, and enlighten by means of taking the aforementioned experiences and incorporating them into their personal lives, households and communities.

Vision Statement:

Our vision is to foster lasting social change by developing multi-purpose institutions, facilities, and programs that empower Muslim-American youth to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually — enabling them to lead, inspire, and uplift their communities.

Our Purpose

  • Outreach + Advocacy

    To truly support our youth, we must meet them where they are—whether in positive spaces or areas of risk—to understand their struggles and guide them toward personal and spiritual growth. Through intentional outreach, we remind young people of their value and the transformative power of faith and community. Advocacy is equally crucial, as many challenges they face stem from external barriers. By uniting our voices, we can address these issues, champion their needs, and work toward meaningful, long-term solutions.

  • Education + Youth Empowerment

    The core mission of MAYF is to educate and empower Muslim-American youth through programs that are both culturally relevant and spiritually grounded. We believe that a strong foundation in both Islamic and academic education is essential for success. MAYF’s approach centers on strengthening identity, values, and purpose. Every MAYF program—from tutoring and mentoring to athletics and spiritual guidance—is designed to strengthen this foundation and support the holistic development of the next generation.

  • Resource Dissemination

    At MAYF, we are committed to developing and distributing accessible resources for at-risk youth and families in need. These resources—whether generated internally or in collaboration with external partners—are designed to provide immediate support and long-term impact. By working alongside like-minded organizations, agencies, and institutions, we aim to strengthen the safety net for our communities and amplify our collective capacity to serve.

  • Community Service

    Equally important is nurturing a sense of civic responsibility among youth. Through service-oriented programs and community engagement opportunities, MAYF empowers young people to see themselves as contributors to the common good. We emphasize that leadership begins with service, and that true success comes from uplifting others. Instilling this community-first mindset is central to our mission and vital for building a resilient, compassionate future generation.

Our Strategy

Learning

All of our programs are rooted in helping youth develop a strong sense of personal, academic, and spiritual identity. Through innovative and supportive programming, we equip young people with the discipline, skills, and knowledge they need to overcome challenges and navigate life with confidence, purpose and a commitment to community service.

Athletics

Sports are a core component of the Muslim American Youth Foundation’s mission and vision. Our commitment is to provide youth with the institutions, facilities and program opportunities to enjoy healthy competition while being supported by positive role models and structured mentorship through seasonal tournaments and sports programs.

Success.

We believe that by integrating education, athletics, and enriching programs, we can empower youth in our communities to grow, thrive, and reach their fullest potential. We also recognize the importance of celebrating their achievements and consistently reward youth to encourage continued growth, confidence, and motivation.

Youth Issues

LACK OF SUPPORT:

Today’s youth face complex and growing challenges—but what worsens the situation is the severe lack of dedicated support systems. Too few agencies, organizations, and institutions are equipped or focused on addressing the unique needs of Muslim youth. Many young people find themselves isolated, with nowhere to turn and no one to guide them through personal, social, or spiritual difficulties. This gap in services deepens existing struggles and leaves many without the resources or mentorship they urgently need. At MAYF, we are committed to filling that gap through holistic, culturally responsive programs that provide support, guidance, and hope.

DOMESTIC ISSUES:

Many families in our community face growing tensions at home, often rooted in communication gaps, cultural misunderstandings, and lack of effective parenting tools. Parents may struggle to guide their children due to language barriers or unfamiliarity with the social realities their youth face. This disconnect can lead to conflict, emotional strain, and in some cases, domestic violence. MAYF addresses these issues through culturally and linguistically responsive family support programs, workshops, and youth mentoring that strengthen communication, promote mutual understanding, and foster healthier home environments.

VIOLENCE:

Youth violence continues to be a critical issue in King County, with over 130 firearm-related incidents annually—including multiple fatalities among minors. While demographic and religious data is often unreported, within the Muslim-American community alone, we have tragically lost three or more youth per year since 2015 to gun violence. In addition to violence, many Muslim-American youth are exposed to drugs, trafficking, and criminal activity, underscoring the urgent need for targeted prevention. MAYF’s programs are designed to address these realities through mentorship, education, community safety initiatives, and collaboration with local partners to provide youth with positive alternatives and protective pathways.

PEER PRESSURE AND DRUG USAGE:

Muslim-American youth are increasingly exposed to peer pressure and societal norms that normalize harmful and illicit behavior. Without consistent access to faith-based environments and positive role models, many are drawn toward drug use and risky lifestyles. The influence of peers, coupled with a lack of culturally relevant support systems, leaves young people vulnerable. At MAYF, we recognize the urgency of this challenge. Through targeted programs in mentorship, education, and counseling, we aim to strengthen identity, build resilience, and provide youth with the tools and support they need to resist harmful influences and thrive.

Our Methods

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ADDRESSING OUR ISSUES:

MAYF is addressing these problems facing the Muslim youth in our region through the programs and activities we offer. We have over 400 students and adults that attend our weekly programs, including: weekend Islamic School, weekly Sunday Seminars and Breakfast, Halaqa, Q&A for Adults, Thursday and Sunday Game Nights, Sisters Programs, Basic Quran and Arabic for Mothers, and more.

APPEALING TO THEIR NEEDS:

We understand that in order to help anyone there has to be a need. The spiritual needs of the Muslim youth are not apparent to them today; thus, the only way to bring about any lasting change and connection with Allah is through both a passive and active method. We created Athletics Programs and Fun Activities to bring in and draw the attention of our Muslim youth.

SAFE HAVEN TO SEEK HELP:

We are addressing these problems through both spiritual and practical means. The first and foremost being through dialogue, conversation and discourse. Creating a place that is a safe haven for conversation allows us to understand intimately the needs of our Muslim youth, and to enable them to get the counseling they require. Guidance is important, but correct Guidance with regards to the Quran and Sunnah is even more imperative. Creating a connection between these young individuals and their Rabb is paramount. Allah is the only One that can guide, we have to play the role of being the means to that end.

OUR YOUTH ARE THE FUTURE:

Our youth are the future, if we do not create a future for them, no one will. We intend to develop them in the ideal mold of Islam, and to be the emissaries needed today to unite both Muslims and non-Muslims as well as advocate for those being oppressed and in need on their behalf.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX:

In order to appeal to our Muslim youth, we have to think outside of the box. Meaning that there has to be a level of malleability with regards to how you approach giving them Dawah and trying to bring them, or keep them, at beneficial places. Which means learning the approaches and methods used at their schools and with their friends to help create an atmosphere of belonging and wanting. Enabling the youth to just have fun without any worry. To passively learn until they seek to become active learners.

ATHLETICS:

With the approach we developed, MAYF and its members have established MAYF Brotherhood Athletics, allowing our kids and youth a weekly reprieve to have fun and play sports. Our Athletics division has done an incredible job of drawing young members and at-risk youth into the program. We use break periods and otherwise allotted times to remind them of the deen of Islam and get across the principles, values and the mindset required to become successful Muslims and Citizens.

Our Athletics program is robust and is one of the most attended and consistent programs in Washington State. It is divided into 4 seasons, with 22 teams; 8 teams for College Students, 8 teams for High School and 6 teams for Middle School. Our attendance on average is over 700 participants, that range between 14-25 years.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING:

Through all these efforts, programs and activities. What we ultimately want is to create a sense of relationship and trust between us and our youth. Establishing that trust enables our work to have an immeasurable impact. We need for our youth to know we are here for them no matter the situation, and that they can seek refuge in Allah. Developing future leaders to help our Greater Ummah and to take it out of the current predicament it is in is the ultimate aspiration of MAYF.

“The Muslim American Youth Foundation exists solely for the betterment of our youth. We are committed to youth excellence.”

— Dr. Shaykh Yahya Suufi

Executive Director and Resident Scholar of the Muslim American Youth Foundation