There is no doubt that youth are the future of every nation and are the focal point of every family’s concern. Families exhaust every possible means to facilitate the best opportunity for their children to be successful. The unique thing about Ireland

is that the fastest growing sector in the Islamic community in Ireland is represented by young and adult children socializing in a home environment dominated by parents’ culture reinforced by institutions set up by the immigrant community. In the meantime they are educated in a European system of education creating a new uniquely balanced model and a significantly important bridging generation confronting a wide range of challenges.

One of the major challenges in the Irish arena is terminology i.e. the application of the exclusive WE. It is very unhealthy term as it divides people into WE and THEY imposing a unique dilemma for their naturalized Irish Muslim youth. Let alone the second Muslim generation and I wander under what category they could be classified. Will they be part of THEY or part of WE? The second Muslim generation perceive themselves as part of WE. They belong to Ireland. No wander, they have been born and reared in Ireland. Disputing their Irishness or classifying them as second class citizens cannot be accepted. Here emerges the dire need for a new WE, an inclusive WE that would encompass Irish citizens apart from their race and faith.

For the Muslim to live his life according to Islamic values in a Muslim society he has to struggle. If he lives in a non-Muslim country he will have to struggle more. To live one’s life according to Islam, man is in need of social support. Not only does the non-Muslim society not provide this support but rather presents hurdles. Temptations and distractions confront Muslim youth every now and then. Their friends and counterparts lead the so-called liberal life where they are allowed to practice many things that Muslims do not. This explains whey Muslim parents frequently accompany their kids to Muslim organizations. Nevertheless, these Muslim organizations and the parents themselves represent a major challenge to the youth.

The parents would like their children to have identically their parents’ culture. In order to accomplish this goal they exhaust every possible means. But this is impossible. Even kids brought up in a Muslim society will not have the same culture of their parents. But parents

in Muslim society do not take the same attitude of the parents living in a non-Muslim society. This is due to the fact that Muslims living in a non-Muslim society feel that they are more vulnerable than others. Hence, they overreact.

It is urgently imperative for Muslim organizations in Ireland to have regular activities for youth. For instance, sports attracts all youth. Why do not they organize football league. Youth like swimming. Youth can avail of these activities that can protect them from many crimes e.g. taking drug. They can also be good assets for their society, which is an Islamic objective. Muslim youth have difficulties when socializing with their non-Muslim counterparts as it always involves drinking. So what is the alternative? Until this moment Muslim organizations have not succeeded to facilitate a healthy socialization environment for Muslim youth.

Both parents and Muslim organizations should change their address to youth. Instead of frequently repeating “God will punish you”, they should talk about Allah’s mercy. They should give more room for dialogue that involves listening and speaking. Moreover, there is a need to segregate Islam from cultural practices. Parents have come from various backgrounds associating many cultural aspects to Islam. The problem occurs when youth whose parents come from different backgrounds argue and each of them defends his cultural practices perceiving them as the correct version of Islam.

At this point the following question should be raised: To whom do Muslim youth in Ireland look up to for inspiration? Yes, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the highest example that Muslims should look up to. Nevertheless, Muslim youth need to have a contemporary example in various circles relevant to them e.g. family, Muslim organizations etc. How many examples are available for them? It is the responsibility of the Muslim communities to provide these examples by exerting great efforts to be successful in various fields. Doing this they will be inspiring examples for Muslim youth and at the same time they will contribute to the progress of their society.