Hundreds of young Muslims, parents, educators, community leaders and families gathered in Melbourne on Sunday 2 August at Al-Taqwa College, Tarneit, for NEXT25: A Muslim Youth Summit, an inspiring day dedicated to faith, leadership, learning and community engagement.
Organised by the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC), the Melbourne summit brought together respected scholars, professionals and community leaders under the theme “Built on 25. Bound for More.”
The event reflected IPDC’s ongoing commitment to empowering young Muslims to become confident contributors to both their faith and Australian society.
The program commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, setting a spiritual tone for a day focused on knowledge, reflection and inspiration.
Building the future
The Event starts with welcoming speech by Tahlil Islam, YMB Victoria President.
Opening the summit, Dr Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Central President of IPDC, reflected on the organisation’s 25-year journey of serving the Australian Muslim community.
He encouraged young people to embrace knowledge, strengthen their connection with Allah, and continue building institutions that will benefit future generations.
A day of inspiring conversations
Throughout the afternoon, attendees heard from an outstanding panel of speakers covering a wide range of topics relevant to Muslim youth today.
Ahmed Bassal shared his personal journey of transforming passion into purpose, demonstrating how storytelling, media and dawah can become powerful tools for positive social impact.
Dr Nina Fashik explored the importance of developing strong minds and resilient hearts, encouraging young Muslims to prioritise emotional wellbeing alongside spiritual growth.
Sheikh Yahya Adel Ibrahim delivered one of the day’s most anticipated presentations, reminding participants that success begins with sincerity, knowledge and action. His message challenged young Muslims to build a strong relationship with Allah, pursue excellence with purpose, and become leaders through humility, service and good character. His practical advice and engaging style resonated deeply with the audience.
Community leader Cr Mohamed Semra, Mayor of Maribyrnong, captivated the audience by sharing his remarkable journey from volunteering within the community to becoming one of Victoria’s youngest mayors. He reflected on overcoming challenges, embracing opportunities and remaining committed to public service without compromising his identity or values.
His story served as a powerful reminder that leadership begins with service, and that young Muslims can make meaningful contributions at every level of Australian society.
Ustadh Waseem Razvi challenged participants to think critically about Australia’s future and encouraged young Muslims to engage confidently in meaningful conversations while remaining firmly grounded in Islamic values.
As the evening session commenced, internationally respected speaker Ustaath Omar Marzouk delivered an insightful presentation on “The Marriage Blueprint.”
Rather than focusing only on marriage itself, he explored personal growth, emotional maturity, communication, boundaries and family relationships from an Islamic perspective. His practical advice, combined with humour and relatable examples, made the session one of the highlights of the summit.
A lively panel discussion, One Ummah, Shared Mission, concluded the main program, bringing together speakers to discuss how Muslim youth can strengthen community unity while positively contributing to wider Australian society.
Meanwhile, Kapil Kamar conducted a specialised workshop for international students, offering practical guidance on professional networking, career development and building a successful future in Australia.
Vote of Thanks
The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam, who expressed sincere gratitude to the distinguished speakers, organisers, volunteers, sponsors, parents, youth participants, and everyone whose support and dedication made NEXT25 Melbourne a memorable success.
He concluded by praying that Allah accepts everyone’s efforts and continues to bless and unite our community.
Learning Beyond the stage
NEXT25 Melbourne was designed as a family event, with activities available throughout the day for children and young people.
The Little Muslims Hub featured creative face painting, interactive reptile encounters, and hands-on robotics demonstrations that captured the imagination of younger attendees.
Outside, the archery range remained one of the busiest attractions, giving participants the opportunity to experience a Sunnah sport in a fun and welcoming environment.
Families also enjoyed a diverse selection of food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere that encouraged connection and community spirit.
Looking ahead
As NEXT25 Melbourne concluded, organisers expressed their gratitude to the speakers, volunteers, sponsors and hundreds of attendees whose support made the event a success.
Celebrating a quarter-century of service, IPDC continues to invest in developing a generation of Muslims who are confident in their faith, committed to excellence and ready to make positive contributions to Australia’s future.
NEXT25 was more than a conference—it was a celebration of identity, purpose and the limitless potential of the next generation.
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