Theme “Strengthening Skills and Expanding Knowledge of Muslim Students through Youth Camping”, the first-ever World Assembly of Muslim Youth – Philippines Youth Camp was realized on the 30th and 31st of December 2011 until the 1st of January 2012. It took place at Mindanao State University – Main Campus, Marawi City organized by the WAMY Scholars from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. More than thirty students were non-WAMY scholars and coming from different Muslim tribes, schools, and places participated the said event. Aside from the participants, the WAMY Scholars joined the affair but served as facilitators under the supervision of ‘Alim Monib Sarangani and ‘Alim Moctar D. Bato. Also, some officials from WAMY – Philippines’ different departments attended the event.
In the morning of December 30th, the affair’s Opening Ceremony was held at Benasing Macarambon Junior (BMJ) Hall, Mamitua Saber Research Institute, MSU, Marawi City. ‘Alim Abdulcarim Mutia from Markazosshabab fil Filibbeen was the Guest Speaker; The program was officially started with the recitation of the Noble Qur’an by Anwar Salafuddin, a WAMY scholar. Subsequently, Mohammad Jihadi AbdelGafur, a scholar who welcomed all the participants and officially opened the program. In addition, he also shared his unforgettable experiences with WAMY and how the organization helped him to be a better Muslim youth.
After the welcome address was the reading of rationale and overview of the event delivered by Halim M. Noor, a scholar. “This WAMY youth camp seeks to bring Muslim students of diverse backgrounds, together with a fun-filled three-day Islamic living, learning and inspirational experiences in nature. By encouraging camaraderie and personal spiritual exploration, the WAMY seeks to be a strong catalyst in inspiring Muslim youths,” emphasized by Noor.
The WAMY-Philippines’ ever-supportive director, ‘Alim Monib Sarangani, who introduced briefly what is all about WAMY and its coming in the Philippines. Furthermore, he extended his thanks to all the participating Muslim students to the said event. Following this was the introduction of the Guest Speaker furnished by the WAMY Education Department Chairman, ‘Alim Moctar Bato. The Guest Speaker, ‘Alim Abdulcarim Mutia from Markazzoshabab fil Filibbeen delivered his short, yet very jam-packed and inspiring message. He emphasized his message that youth students must gain knowledge, both western and Islamic. He also said that a Muslim youth should always think on what good legacy he can leave to the incoming ummah.
During the opening program, the youth camp’s participants introduced themselves. They were divided into four groups – Blue, Red, Violet, and Yellow.
There were many activities conducted during the camp. Such as Leadership and Team Building Activities, Physical Activities, Amazing Race, Group Discussions and Forums, Seminar-Workshop, Quiz Show and Islamic Discussions.
On the afternoon of December 30, the Leadership and Team Building Activities were conducted, headed by Mohammad Jihadi AbdelGafur. This activity was carried out to nurture and develop or enhance the leadership potentials and skills of the participants. Four different stations were made – the Maze Station, Building Tower Station, Shoot-It! Station, and the Spider Web Station. Each station required each team to do some cheers and yell and finished with challenge each team.
After the tiring, yet fun activity, Abdel Gafur made a short discussion on what is leadership and how to become a good leader. For sure, the participants learned many great things.
After Maghrib and Fajr, Alim Abubacar Siddiq and Alim Hammad Solaiman delivered their short, yet meaningful Islamic talks to the participants, respectively. After the prayers, they made some discussions with their teammates. And they stayed the whole night in Masjid King Faisal, MSU Marawi.
The Amazing Race was conducted in the morning of December 31 at MSU Ayala Resort and MSU Golf Course. This activity was obviously time-pressured, and of course it aimed the participants to learn something worthy and beneficial. The team finished the race and won. There were five stations in this activity – (1) Basic First Aid headed by Amerhussein Abbas, RN (2) Mystery Games (3) Treasure Hunting (4) Mini Games and (5) Pool Games. The participants, as well as the facilitators were enjoyed the activity. Though tiresome, it was an opportunity for each of them to mingle and bond with one another.
On the December 31st afternoon, one of the highlighted activities of this Muslim Youth Camp conducted was a Seminar-Workshop and a Quiz Show. As part of the workshop, each team assigned a representative to share his views and opinions regarding the seminar’s topics. The subject matters were “The Life of a Muslim Student in a Secular university” and “What is a Good Leader.”
These topics discussed in details by the Seminar-Workshop’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Habib W. Macaayong, MPA. Dr. Macaayong, a faculty of MSU in the College of Public Affairs. He was introduced by ‘Alim Moctar Bato. His lecture was full of wisdom and owed inspiring one. He discussed the differences of a secular university from a sectarian university, and how to behave in these universities. Furthermore, he talked about the ten elemental characteristics of a good leader.
Following the seminar was the Quiz Show. The quiz show’s questions range from Western to Islamic basic and general information, basic knowledge in sciences and mathematics, and the like. Norhassan Curo was the Quiz Master of the said activity.
During the second night, ‘Alim Monib Sarangani shared to the participants some Islamic insights and facts. He again extended his thanks to all of them.
Also during the night, open forum, evaluation, and the awarding were conducted. ‘Alim Moctar Bato also extended his million thanks to the participants. He showed his appreciation and satisfaction to them. To inspire the participants, three WAMY Scholars shared their experiences with the assistance of WAMY which was extend to them all the years. They were Halim Noor, Mohammad-Hathimin Mahdali, and Norhassan Curo.
By early morning of January 1, 2012, the first WAMY Youth Camp, Alim Haris Abdulmanan delivered an inspirational message. Then, the program was officially closed by ‘Alim Moctar Bato; the participants were very thankful that they had been invited to such great, fulfilling once-in-a-lifetime experience with Muslim brothers coming from different backgrounds.
**The following were the participants of the FIRST WAMY YOUTH CAMP held in MSU Marawi City on December 30 to 31, 2011 until January 1, 2012.
BLUE TEAM (MABROUK)
1. Jalil H. Mamintal
2. Pacalinog Galo Jr.
3. Yahya M. Hadji Salic
4. Saanodin Saminola
5. Radzimar M. Endih
6. Javer D. Monib
YELLOW TEAM (THE CALIPHS)
1. Junaid Abdul
2. Acaina Hadji Yusoph
3. Jebran Abdul
4. Asgar M. Anda
5. Norhamza S. Curo
6. Norhamdan S. Curo
RED TEAM (AL-MU’MINUN)
1. Abdulbashet A. Basher
2. Yasser Nasser A. Galvez
3. Hobaib Mimbesa
4. Abdul Qader A. Adges
5. Mohammad Siraji M. AbdelGafur
6. Abdul Khafid S. Ali
VIOLET TEAM (MUSTAQBAL)
1. Hamzah H.K Dulat
2. Hamza Acraman
3. Anwar Salapuddin
4. Alexander Ampaso
5. Mohammad Adib Badron
6. Mohammad Haydar B. Alonto
7. Abdullah S. Curo
