This past Saturday I was able to attend “Living a Purposeful Life,” a youth event with Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, VA. Dozens of junior and senior high school students worked with Imam Johari on developing life skills and thinking intentionally on what sort of life they would live as they become young adults. A “Purposeful Life” was not only filled with thoughts on career choices, family needs, and community concerns, but a commitment to fighting global poverty, hunger, and disease.

At the end of the event the students signed up to join ONE and most took an extra white band to share with a friend in school on Monday. It was an afternoon full of lively discussion with the students. In one side conversation, a student told her friend about the Millennium Development Goals and how it was possible to achieve them. Pretty impressive! Even so, what impressed me more was seeing the students depart the event acting toward that goal of achieving the MDGs.

-Adam Phillips