IFAM Youth Rooty Hill welcomed the return of one of its most coveted and special annual events, its Youth Conference held on Saturday 16 August 2025, straight after Isha prayer at Rooty Hill Mosque, with two guest speakers who focused on the theme for the night ‘Challenges and Opportunities faced by the Youth in Western Society.”
With the help of the mosque committee, Islamic Association for Western Suburbs Sydney (IAWSS), the event brought together a vibrant crowd of around 600 attendees which included youth, elderly, kids and women all eager to benefit from a night of spiritual enrichment and community bonding.
The evening commenced with a beautiful recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Shuayb Hasim, setting a reflective tone for the night. Rakeen Bin Irshad, President of IFAM Youth Rooty Hill, served as the MC while also presenting a comprehensive report on IFAM Youth’s recent activities and ongoing initiatives.
The conference opened with an inspiring talk by Osman Mah, a coach, educator, and entrepreneur who set the tone for the evening with a powerful and thought-provoking message about the challenges facing today’s youth.
Through a detailed and engaging presentation, Osman highlighted the rapid changes in society and the new paths and pressures these shifts create for young people. His talk offered both clarity and encouragement, urging the youth to remain grounded and resilient in the face of evolving societal norms.
Closing the night was the esteemed Imam Uzair Akbar, who travelled from Brisbane to be part of the event. As one of Australia’s longest-serving Imams and the current Imam of the historic Holland Park Mosque, a role he has held for over 20 years, Imam Uzair brought a wealth of wisdom and experience to the stage.
He spoke passionately about the unique opportunities available to today’s youth, weaving in personal stories from his own journey and delivering his message with his signature humour and warmth that resonated deeply with the audience.
The night concluded with closing remarks and dua from Senior Vice President of IFAM Australia, Usaid Khalil.
Refreshments were organised for both men and woman and served at the end of the event.
IFAM Youth continues to organise its monthly and annual events as it has been over the past several years. Events such as these remind the need for community engagement in a fast-paced society where numerous challenges and obstacles arise every day.
IFAM Youth is open to all, where the objective is to provide opportunities and remind the youth to stay on the path of Allah.
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