Muslim Youth Speak About Overcoming Barriers

About 120 influential Muslim leaders, heads of Islamic organizations and educational institutions, and students had an interactive dialogue with Yasmin and Imran about their daily life as Muslim Americans...

What is life like for American Muslims and how do Indian Muslim students studying in America integrate the practice of Islam into their lives?  These questions and more were the subject of a discussion on “Muslim Students’ Life in America” at the American Consulate premises on August 10.  Marking International Youth Day, the U.S. Consulate General invited Ms. Yasmin Hafiz, an undergraduate student of Yale University and Mr. Imran Hafiz, a junior at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona, to speak from their experiences as young Muslims growing up in America via Digital Video Conference. Additionally, Ms. Sakeena Sadullah, a biochemistry student of the University of Madras, Mr. Asif Sultan, a commerce student of the New College and Mr. Darshit Sagar, a 12th grade student of MCC Higher Secondary School served as panelists and shared their recent U.S. study experiences, having recently participated in U.S. government sponsored exchange programs.  Sakeena attended a five-week exchange program for student leaders while Asif spent a semester at a community college on the Near East South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program and Darshit was a student of Williamsport High School as the recipient of the Youth Exchange and Study scholarship for one academic year.   About 120 influential Muslim leaders, heads of Islamic organizations and educational institutions, and students had an interactive dialogue with Yasmin and Imran about their daily life as Muslim Americans and their initiatives to clarify misconceptions about Islam in America.  American Vice-Consul Salman Khalil moderated the discussion and shared his thoughts as an American Muslim diplomat.

To receive information about future Consulate programs e-mail ChennaiPASprograms@state.gov