Around 150 young Muslims from across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth gathered on Saturday 11 October 2025, aat Waterview Bicentennial Park for the ISRA National Muslim Youth Summit (NMYS) 2025, a youth-led event dedicated to reflection, dialogue and empowerment.
Hosted by youth, for youth, the summit aimed to bring together passionate individuals to explore topics of leadership, identity and the role of young Muslims in shaping the future of their communities.
The program presented a powerful line-up of speakers who inspired the attendees through their genuineness and experience.
Plestia Alaqad, Palestinian journalist and storyteller, opened with a moving talk on resilience, truth and the power of narrative, her reflections on Palestine and activism were described by attendees as “deeply moving” and “inspiring”.
Mahmud Hawila, barrister and academic lecturer, followed with an engaging talk on faith-driven leadership and the importance of grounding activism in the Prophetic tradition.
Closing the speaker sessions, Senator Fatima Payman shared her story of perseverance, representation and identity in Australian politics, which left the audience invigorated to lead with courage and integrity.
The discussion sessions always form the heart of the NMYS, igniting deep reflection and honest conversation among participants.
Each table tackled four critical topics shaping the landscape of Muslim youth engagement today, from navigating politics in an apolitical environment to exploring how activism can begin at the grassroots level.
Participants also reflected on how unity can be nurtured among diversity within the community and Senator Fatima Payman joined the tables discussing strategies for avoiding burnout and sustaining momentum, listening to participants and offering her insights.
These important conversations aimed to nurture a sense of empowerment and collaboration, letting attendees learn from one another’s lived experiences and leave with practical steps to construct meaningful, lasting impact within their local contexts.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees described the summit as “well-organised,” “amazing” and “uplifting”, emphasising the inclusive, engaging and spiritually enriching atmosphere.
Many valued the opportunity to connect with other young Muslims and appreciated the diversity of perspectives shared throughout the day.
The speakers’ authenticity, the interactive table discussions and the sense of unity and connection were amongst the most praised aspects.
The summit’s impact was clear. Participants left feeling inspired to take action, become more connected to the Muslim community and motivated to collaborate on future initiatives.
Many reported feeling more confident in their Muslim identity and better informed about how faith and activism can interconnect to create meaningful change.
Almost all respondents expressed interest in joining future youth and leadership programs, indicating the event’s success in fostering engagement and empowerment.
The summit was made possible by the dedication of the NMYS 2025 team, including Team Leader Adam Hussain and team members Ayse Nur Aksu, Mahdi Akbari, Musfirah Khalil, Tamanaw Jalyar, Tazin Saiyed and Othman Alrawi, whose leadership, organisation and guidance guaranteed the day ran smoothly and successfully.
Looking ahead, the NMYS team is preparing to release the official NMYS 2025 Report, capturing key insights, participant reflections and recommendations for future youth initiatives.
This report aims to serve as both a reflection and a roadmap, amplifying young Muslim voices and continuing the momentum sparked by this year’s summit.
The NMYS team extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, volunteers and speakers who made the day possible. Together, we are building a future where young Muslims are confident, connected and ready to lead with purpose.
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