What’s in a Generation?

When the Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War ended, the world saw a tremendous cultural shift. Suddenly youth were growing up without the fear of the Soviet Union, or being drafted into the Vietnam War. This new generation saw the advent of the home computer, growing popularity in MTV and counter culture. This was Generation X.

This cycle of generational change continued, fueled by technological and cultural revolutions. Generation X gave rise to the MTV Generation, Generation Y, and Generation Z.

Todays youth have seen incredible change in their lifetime. Cell phones, the Internet and Social Networking have connected people like never before, and the spread of pop culture is unprecedented.

There will always be differences between the old generation and new generation, but this shift in culture and ideas is particularily felt by young Muslims. The old generation of Muslims are likely immigrants, growing up in not only a different time, but a different country as well.The new generation of North American Muslims have been born and raised in a culture and society that is at times contradictory to the teachings of Islam.

So in an era where marketers bombard you with manufactored culture, global news is instantaneous, all your friends are on Facebook, you can tweet every mundane minutiae of your life and the haram is just a click away, how does the next generation of Muslims reconcile this with their faith?

NYMiNK is excited to present Generation Muslim, a 2-day conference focused on the issues young Muslims face on a daily basis. Designed by youth, for youth, the conference is an opportunity to pragmatically explore living in a Western society that is often at odds with religion.

The next Generation Muslim Conference takes place in Edmonton, Alberta, from June 20th – 21st, 2009. For more details on the Conference, including venue and cost, visit the conference Details page. Tickets can be purchased online, and if you purchase before June 20th, you get a discount! Tickets can also be purchased in packages at a special group rate.

NYMiNK is proud to present speakers with unique experience relevant to young Muslims. From thinkers and activists to former rappers and philosophers, Generation Muslim features speakers that capture the hearts and minds of young Muslims. Click here to see the list and biographies of past and present speakers.

Generation Muslim is unique experience, a conference the likes of which you have rarely seen. Bazaars, delicious food booths, exclusive Islamic themed clothing and Early-Bird prizes are just a small part of the conference Experience.  Check out our Media section which includes the Generation Muslim teaser trailer and pics from the last Generation Muslim Conference (that was attended by over 800 people!).

In conjunction with the Generation Muslim Conference, NYMiNK is excited to offer two additional, exclusive Workshops for those who want to maximize the Generation Muslim experience. These sessions are Professional Workshops designed to give you practical tools and lessons in a concise and informative manner. Admission can be purchased online with your Generation Muslim Conference tickets, and with the high-quality of the instructors teaching the Workshops, we highly encourage you to attend!

Generation Muslim is all about the youth, and we wanted to encourage the creativity and imagination of our younger brothers and sisters. The Adam’s (A.S.) Family Poetry Contest is a poetry contest for young Muslims aged 7-12, with the winning entries being read during the main Generation Muslim Conference. Over $400 in prizes are available, so be sure to enter!

With the spread of the Internet, youth today are much more socially aware then previous generations, and this has lead to a dramatic increase in activism. Young Muslims in particular are attracted to Volunteerism, as it’s an inherent aspect of the religion. The Generation Muslim Conference is a huge event, and would be impossible without your volunteer efforts. Sign up to Volunteer with the Generation Muslim Conference – not only do you get reward from Allah (SWT), but discounted admission to the conference as well!

NYMiNK has worked hard to put together Generation Muslim, and we’re really excited to share this conference with you. We hope to see you there!

-The Generation Muslim Team