In late June, nearly 40 American Muslim students from across California were selected to participate in CAIR-CA’s leadership building retreat.
(Aug 08, 2013 – Sacramento, CA)
By Heba Al-Shoubaki / Guest Columnist for the OC Register
Waking up every morning at 6:30 and walking 15 blocks in the scorching Sacramento heat to learn about the legislative process and the role of state government is not exactly a typical teenager’s idea of a fun summer.
But for the 40 students who were selected from across California to attend the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Muslim Youth Leadership Program, a four-day political immersion retreat from June 27 to 30, it was the best choice we made this summer.
I decided to attend the program on Election Day last year. I was serving as a poll worker and signing in voters when one gentleman caught my attention.
He just stared at me, in apparent surprise and slight disbelief.
I kept my cool and smiled at him.
“So, you’re into politics, huh?” he finally said.
Perhaps the sight of a young Muslim woman, clad in a headscarf and civically engaged, baffled him. Something about the encounter struck me, and, at that moment, I vowed to volunteer more in my community.
That’s how I found myself on a plane to Sacramento, determined to acquire as much knowledge as possible about civic engagement and state politics.
Through various workshops, my peers and I learned about the legislative process, networked with activists, policymakers and community leaders and gained values that I will never forget.
James Schwab, a legislative consultant, taught us how to properly read a bill analysis and how to effectively argue in the bill’s support or opposition. Tedious as it was, this workshop allowed us to work together in a fun and interactive way while giving us the opportunity to argue our case and teach us key interpersonal skills.
Brian Micek, a public affairs adviser, taught us the basics of campaigning, which moved me to join campaigns and elections.
Sen. Darrell Steinberg motivated me to be an agent of positive change. There was a time in my life when I didn’t think I had enough to offer my community. I compared myself to those influential and inspirational leaders before me and thought I couldn’t follow in their footsteps. But he made me and my fellow leaders truly believe that we could positively impact our community no matter how small our impact might seem because each contribution is worth something. We will face some tough decisions on the way, he told us, but we should stand by our values no matter the consequences.
Assemblyman Roger Dickinson talked about the history behind the State Capitol building while we sat in the seats of members from all over California in the Assembly Chamber.
By day, we explored the world of politics and policies. By night, we strengthened the bonds of our Muslim Youth Leadership Program family. Toward the end, many peers opened up during the reflection session and spoke of the adversities they had to overcome on the path toward becoming a strong pillar in their respective communities.
My mentors taught me that when you fall and can’t get up, you can reach over to your friends and they will help you stand tall again. Most importantly, I found my inner strength that rekindled my drive to lead, to fight for what is right and to stand by my principles throughout.
– Heba Al-shoubaki graduated from Fountain Valley High School this year and will be attending Cal State Long Beach in the fall. Her dream is to become a pediatric physical therapist.
ON THE Muslim Youth Leadership Program:
MYLP is an annual political immersion and leadership building retreat in Sacramento, which aims to equip high school students with an understanding of the legislative process, as well as training in the areas of civic engagement and media advocacy.
Throughout the four-day program, participants engage in workshops on community organizing, public speaking, and the political process in California.
Since its inception in 2004, MYLP has helped empower over 350 youth with the skills necessary to grow into community leaders.