13th Annual MYLP participants on the assembly floor
(ANAHEIM, CA, 07/25/2017) – The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) has completed its 13th annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) at the State Capitol in Sacramento. MYLP is an intensive retreat in Sacramento designed to introduce American Muslim high school students to the areas of media, law, and government – avenues that shape public opinion and public policy.
From July 13 through 16, 44 high school students from across the state, including twelve from the greater Los Angeles area, participated in workshops on community organizing, leadership development and public speaking.
These participants, who have shown exemplary leadership skills in their own communities, participated in a mock legislative session, serving as legislators as they debated public policy issues and prepared bills to be presented on the State Capitol Assembly floor.
Participants listening intently at one of the sessions
The mock legislative session allowed participants to gain a deeper, practical understanding of how bills are reviewed and laws are passed in the California legislature.
CAIR – Sacramento Valley Executive Director Basim Elkarra; Chief of Staff for Assembly Member Eloise Gomez Reyes, Mark Farouk; Bay Area Activist Munir Iqtish; and digital producer of Fusion, Yasmin Nouh, were among the keynote speakers this year.
More than 400 California students have participated in MYLP since its first conference in 2005. The program's graduates have moved on to become community activists and have taken on groundbreaking leadership roles.
MYLP participants from the greater Los Angeles area
Please donate generously to help us continue to empower and train our American Muslim youth.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.