How Different Are We?

The Muslim Youth Identity Crisis

Outline

Identity CrisisThe Inferiority ComplexPeer PressureIdentity Defined

Disclaimer

Perspectives

Issues with Identity

What Category do I fall in?Who do I belong to?How should I dress?How should I talk? What language?

Environmental Factors

Age GroupSurroundings

– City Side; Country Side, Ghetto Side

The “In Crowd”

Changing Identity

Why do youth change their Identity?Innate feeling/desire to be acceptedSocieties influence on its “norms” not

being in line with the norms of IslamLack of acceptance anywhere elseInferiority ComplexesPeer Pressure

Inferiority Complexes

Low ImaanLack of UnderstandingLittle or no KnowledgeWeak PersonalityNo sense/feeling of “belonging”

Peer Pressure

Weak Personality---BUT THAT’S OKUnable to convey true feelingsFear of rejectionLack of options (no other friends)

“You end up being a product of their entertainment”

Effects of Losing Identity

UnhappinessBlindnessLoss of Focus in LifeFights

– Friends– Family

"Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves to get it." --Don Herold

Solutions

Your Identity Defined

Understanding School

School as a Microcosm of the World

-Highly concentrated feelings

-What matters, doesn’t really matter

Adapting vs. Conforming

“The flag blows in the direction of the wind…

But the pole MUST remains firm in its place”

“Am I the flag? Or am I the pole?”

Compromised or Uncompromised?

FaithSalahFoodsFamilyFastingClothingLanguageMusicOverall Behavior

“I will be your best friend,But I will never compromise my Faith”

Peer Pressure

Question:

When do you know your falling into peer pressure and how do you get out of it?

Understanding Peer Pressure

“You know your falling into peer pressure when, you realize that your being pushed or encouraged to do something that you really don’t want to do”

• Feeling Uncomfortable

When I’m falling into peer pressure:

How do I get out?

• Understand that your probably not the only one• Be strong, be firm, never compromise…

True Friends…

Many people will walk in and out of your life,

But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head;

To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;

If he betrays you twice, it is your fault

Great minds discuss ideas;

Average minds discuss events;

Small minds discuss people.

Continued

He who loses money, loses much; He, who loses a friend, loses much more; He, who loses faith, loses all. Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art. Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself Friends, you and me....You brought another friend.... And then there were 3. We started our group.... Our circle of friends.... And like that circle....There is no beginning or end. Yesterday is history.Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift.

Solutions to Peer Pressure

“If he/she forces me to do something that I really don’t want to do, then he/she isn’t really my friend.”

Inferiority Complexes

What do you feel inferior about?– Language?– Dress?– Culture?– Religion?– Family?

Solutions

Develop and set your beliefs/guidelinesEstablish your personalityRealize that you must convey your feelings

of what you stand for

Want Respect???

“People respect you for what you stand for…

If you don’t stand for anything, they will not respect you…”

WAKE UP!!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOSE YOUR FAITH FOR RESPECT!!!

Muslim Youth Identity

My personality reflects who I amI will be your best friend, but don’t ask me

to give up my way of lifeI REFUSE to compromise my faith for

your entertainment

The IN CROWD???

Choose the people you hang around with…

Why????

“Lead the crowd, or the crowd will lead you..”