Teacher making a change: Reinstilling the Muslim identity in youth

My name is Maysah. I am a mother, a wife and a secondary PDHPE teacher and now a self-published author. During my schooling years, I admired people who carried themselves with positivity and goodness.

I was blessed to be around peers with a similar mindset. When we were together, we always dreamt of a big future, we spoke about doing things that would change the world for the better.

Looking back at those days, I realise it was the practice of the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (s) and the admiration of his traits that gathered us together as friends. I wasn’t a consistent high achiever at school, but I was always ambitious and energetic.

After completing my bachelors degree in Sports and Exercise Science, I decided to continue my studies in secondary teaching. More specifically a PDHPE teacher, because if there was one topic I was extremely passionate about as an individual it was self-identity, self-love, body image and personal goals, all of which are taught and discussed with students.

Graduating from a private Islamic school and teaching in public schools in South Western Sydney was a shock to me. Through my experience, I noticed the negative influence social media has had on Muslim students’ regarding worldly views and the purpose of life.

It is evident that self-direction and self-identity has become harder to grasp for our youth as they battle their way with societies expectations. This bothered me greatly and I struggled to comprehend how our youth lost meaningful purpose and ambition to make positive changes to themselves and the world.

Deep down we all have a sense of purpose that allows us to lead a meaningful and influential life. I felt the urge within me to do something that would influence Muslim children to find that purpose. I decided to write a book. An Islamic children’s picture book called “When I Grow Up”.

Malik dressed up as Ibrahim the builder from my book “When I Grow Up” and inspired to build a masjid when he grows up.

The aim of my book is to inspire young children to do something in their lives that not only benefit the community but is pleasing to Allah. I wholeheartedly prayed that any child who read my book would be influenced by the ways of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (s) and be a source of light and positivity amongst their families, friends and wider community.

Occupations in life that are beneficial in this life and the next. As pictured from “When I Grow Up.”

After a successful book launch, it has been such a wholesome and rewarding journey receiving positive feedback from families and photos of young children dressing up and being inspired by my characters. This is only the start of my journey and I cannot wait to continue my dream to preserve and strengthen the muslim identity amongst Australian Muslim youth.