MAC Youth is a department of the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) that aims to develop Muslim Canadian youth with a comprehensive understanding of Islam who can be at the forefront of Canadian community development. As a movement that aims to establish a balanced Islamic presence within the fabric of Canada, we believe our youth are best positioned to partake in the evolving process of reconciling our Islamic principles with the general principles of the Canadian culture, without subjugating one to the other.

“We need spirited, energetic and strong young people whose hearts are filled with life, enthusiasm, zeal and dynamism; whose souls are full of ambition, aspiration and vigor and have great goals, rising and aspiring to reach them until they eventually arrive at their destination.” 

To a large extent, MAC Youth workers define the nature of MAC’s interaction with the Muslim community and the Canadian community at large. Consequently, MAC Youth workers understand, share, and strive to actualize the following notions:

• The ultimate objective is servitude to Allah (SWT) through devotional practice, moral existence, and service to humanity. A MAC Youth worker’s loyalty is to Allah, not to a person or group.
• The youth are the champions and the focus of our movement but MAC represents an inter-generational movement – not solely a youth movement. MAC firmly believes that the right of the youth to participate in decision-making and to assume leadership positions irrespective of gender, age or ethnicity, is an undeniable right.
• MAC Youth development programs focus on creating an environment that defines and celebrates a Canadian Muslim identity. This identity is meant to provide the Muslim youth with a frame of reference that is Islamically sound and practically relevant to our Canadian context. A “faith in action” approach and youth-led initiatives are essential to MAC Youth work. Youth activism and societal engagement are highly encouraged and perceived as a means of facilitating personal development as well as providing opportunities to apply its principles and fulfill its objectives.

Together, we strive towards equipping the Muslim Canadian youth with the tools needed to be successful in all aspects of life.

MAC Youth aims to create a positive environment through structured activities that will encourage youth to meet their complex needs of belonging, autonomy, sense of purpose and achievement. Through grounding youth in their faith, helping them connect to their community roots, and presenting them with opportunities to help others, MAC delivers programs to help youth achieve their full potential. Some examples of the programs that MAC Youth offers are:

Youth Open Halaqat 
One of the primary activities MAC Youth utilizes are the youth open halaqat which take place year-round spanning many age groups. These circles of knowledge, character building, and action are led by youth workers and provide a safe space for youth to belong, share, and express while becoming better Muslims. 

Year-Long Programs 
MAC Calgary Youth runs a plethora of programs for youth of all ages throughout the academic year. These events take place regularly and can be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, annually, etc. All programs have specific themes and topics covered such as sports, history, art, etc. Stay tuned to the MAC Calgary Instagram & Facebook pages as well as the website to keep track of new events as they happen. 

Summer & Winter Camps: 
MAC Calgary Youth hosts one of the largest Muslim summer and winter camps for youth in the city. These camps host different programs for children in KG to youth in High School. The camps combine Islamic studies with activity to build strong Islamic character through sport, arts & craft, team building activities, etc. The summer and winter camps take place during the school breaks for one week in the winter and five to six weeks during the summer. 

The MAC Calgary Youth department spreads across the city with NW and NE committees as well as a MAC Youth Juniors and a MAC Youth department. MAC Youth Jr. serves the age group of children between kindergarten and Grade 6. MAC Youth serves the youth group of Junior High, High School and University. 

If you have any questions regarding MAC Calgary Youth or want to connect, please feel free to email youth@maccalgary.ca or join the MAC Calgary WhatsApp Broadcast list by messaging the chapter at +1 (403) 451-8861.