Youth Leadership Camp 2024 – A Journey of Empowerment and Innovation

Author: Khalifa Saidi Khamisi – Tanzania

From October 11 to 13, 2024, Albukhary International University (AIU) in Kedah, Malaysia, became a vibrant gathering space for more than 50 students representing over 25 nationalities. The Youth Leadership Camp 2024, organized by NAMA Foundation in collaboration with AIU, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), focused on nurturing leadership, social impact, and environmental responsibility among the youth.

Day 1: Setting the Stage for Leadership

The camp kicked off on October 11th, as students arrived on campus, brimming with excitement. The opening ceremony took place at AIU’s Lecture Theatre, with inspiring speeches from Prof. Dr. Hj. Mohamad Abdullah Bin Hemdi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Albukhary International University, Dr. Saleh Mubarak Bazead, CEO of NAMA Foundation, and Novie Tajuddin, CEO of EMGS. Each speaker emphasized the importance of youth leadership in addressing global challenges and contributing to community development.

The evening continued with the first workshop conducted by Prof. Dr. Nurul Fadzlin Bt Hasbullah, who delivered an insightful session on ethical characters (Akhlaq). She shared five key leadership ethics derived from the Prophet Muhammad’s life, inspiring the participants to lead with integrity, compassion, and humility.

The second workshop, led by Mr. Masrani Bin Awang, introduced participants to the concept of the 3 Zero Club, focusing on the vision of achieving zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. This session challenged the youth to think critically about the social and environmental issues facing their communities and encouraged them to develop sustainable solutions.

Day 2: Ideation and Leadership in Action

Day 2 began with spiritual reflection, as participants gathered for Tahajjud and Subuh prayers, followed by Quranic readings at the Albukhary Mosque. After breakfast, the camp resumed with a workshop on The Muttaqi Leader by Prof. Dawood A.Y. Al-Hidabi, which explored the concept of God-conscious leadership. This session highlighted the importance of ethical decision-making and the role of spirituality in guiding leaders.

Later in the day, students participated in a highly engaging session on “Leading by Example”, conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Md. Saiful Azizi. This workshop focused on leadership lessons from Prophet Muhammad and Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, emphasizing the significance of leading through action and embodying the values one seeks to instill in others. This workshop provided crucial leadership insights before the students dived into their project development activities.

Following the leadership workshop, students were divided into teams, each tasked with brainstorming and developing community project ideas. These projects addressed critical issues such as poverty alleviation, education, and environmental conservation. This activity was designed to align with NAMA Foundation’s goal of supporting impactful initiatives.

The project management workshop, held later in the day, offered practical guidance on structuring and managing projects, from initial planning to execution and measuring impact. This session was pivotal in helping teams refine their project ideas and formulate detailed action plans.

In the evening, students began presenting their project ideas during the first round of presentations. Teams showcased their proposed solutions, receiving feedback from their peers and facilitators. The diverse backgrounds of the participants fostered lively discussions, with innovative approaches to solving global challenges.

Day 3: Presenting Visions for a Better Future

The final day began with spiritual reflection and continued with the second round of project presentations. Teams delivered their final pitches, outlining their community projects with the aim of making a real-world impact. The panel, comprising experts from NAMA, and IIUM, evaluated the presentations based on creativity, feasibility, and social impact.

The presentations were not just theoretical. NAMA Foundation pledged to fund the most promising projects, ensuring that participants’ ideas would have the resources to move from concept to implementation.

Khalifa Saidi Khamisi, the General Secretary of Awqaf Africa, was one of the participants representing Albukhary International University at the camp. His involvement underscored Awqaf Africa’s commitment to sustainable development and community service, perfectly aligning with the camp’s focus on fostering social impact and leadership.

The Youth Leadership Camp 2024 ended on a high note, with participants reflecting on their journey. Over the three days, they had not only gained leadership and project management skills but also forged meaningful connections with peers from across the globe. The promise of funding from NAMA Foundation further motivated participants, knowing their projects had the potential to make a real-world difference.

This camp was more than just a learning experience—it was a platform for collaboration, connection, and action. The participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to return to their communities and implement the knowledge they had gained. The Youth Leadership Camp 2024 will undoubtedly have a lasting impact, as these young leaders take the first steps toward transforming their communities and the world at large.