Beginning today, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) will hold its 10th annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) in Sacramento.
WHEN: Thursday, August 7 – Sunday, August 10
Senate Floor Session: Saturday, August 10 at 3:30 PM
WHERE: State Capitol, Sacramento, California
CONTACT: CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916.441.6269, belkarra@cair.com
The annual conference brings together 45 Muslim high school students from across the state to participate in workshops on community organizing, leadership development and public speaking. These participants, who have shown exemplary leadership skills in their own communities, will partake in a “mock legislature” session and serve as legislators as they debate public policy issues and prepare bills to be presented on the State Capitol Senate floor.
This session, a program highlight, will allow participants to gain a deeper, practical understanding of how bills are reviewed and laws are born in the California legislature.
“The vision behind MYLP when it was first created in 2005 was to provide a training ground for our community’s youth,” said MYLP Chair Basim Elkarra. “It is our goal for our participants to return home and empower their peers and community members.”
This year, CAIR-CA celebrates its 10th annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program. More than 400 California students have participated in the Muslim Youth Leadership Program since its first conference in 2005. The program’s graduates have moved on to become community activists – many of whom have created their own non-profit organizations, and taken on groundbreaking leadership roles.
In addition to marking a milestone with its 10th annual MYLP, CAIR-CA will welcome back its program graduates to its 1st annual Alumni Retreat on Saturday, August 9th. Alumni from the past nine years will join together to further hone their leadership skills and to network with industry, civic and community leaders.
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.