What Youth are Saying about Mecca to Manhattan Workshops…
Our “Mecca to Manhattan:
Muslim Women Moving Mountains” workshops designed for girls from the ages of
13-20 years will run through April 18. Eighteen girls are participating and
enjoying them thoroughly!
Here’s what some had to say…
- "Each workshop just gets better and better. The activities are always creative and fun, and the effect is that I become more aware of issues I had not considered before, and these workshops give me confidence to share my thoughts and ideas with those outside the workshop."
- "The presentations were the highlights of today's workshop. I felt like everybody participated and said what was on their mind. Everyone was really encouraging - for instance when … felt shy to speak everyone encouraged her to go on :) "
- "I loved every workshop until, especially today's since I got to connect with the workshop facilitator. The presentation was fun and I actually learned things from my members about today's topic. I'm definitely glad I'm a part of this organization."
- "Knowledge is one of the most repeated topics in Koran, and yet it's one thing we continually lack within the Muslim community. Therefore, I think its an important topic that needs to be addressed and put into practice."
- "I really wish we had more time because I had so much to say about today's topic and many personal experiences to share. =( But! Sophia was a very engaging speaker and I look forward to more speakers!"
- "I almost feel lame checking 'strongly agree' for all the boxes, but I really do actually feel that way :) it's way inspiring to meet all these Muslim women who have done all these awesome things that I want to do with my life."
- "The workshop is very good; the questions are challenging and I like the dialogue."
- "It was very engaging and an interesting topic. I've found myself in all the questions and answers. I feel like I truly belong here. I'm looking forward to finding ways to helping out our community and doing more to help Muslim women in every way possible."
- "I liked the fact that we
all discussed important issues not only for Muslim women or Muslims, but for
people living within a diverse society in general. We talked about many issues
I have previously thought about, such as race and ethnicity, and who decides
which race one belongs to. The presentation was beautiful."
Mecca to Manhattan Experience:
The Mecca to Manhattan workshop experience has been a great way to meet with Muslim women role models, connecting with other young ladies, and having a space to discuss issues that matter to us.
Before I became a part of this program, I did not know that there were all these Muslim women activists, academics – young, professional, and successful! Hearing them talk about their lives and their work is incredibly inspiring.
The youth participants reflect the ethnic diversity of NYC Muslim communities. In our workshop we have girls from all over the city coming to realize that they have so much in common with their Muslim sisters from other parts of the city.
With all our differences and similarities, we’ve been able to forge many new friendships. Through the group presentations, discussions and role plays we create, we get the chance to bond with and learn from our peers. Often I feel our various communities and neighborhoods are segregated or disconnected. However, this program has helped me to bridge those barriers.
I was actually very surprised to see all the girls openly discussing issues that usually our communities try to keep out of the public. We’ve come to be very supportive of one another – handing tissues to each other when some of us get emotional, encourage one another to speak up when we feel shy to share! Together we tackle issues that are upsetting or difficult. I’ve realized sometimes the best way to deal with an issue is to look at it critically, share some laughs with friends who know what you’re going through, and then come up with solutions ourselves. ~ Neslihan Torgut, BSW Intern at Turning Point