Across many Muslim communities, growing concern surrounds the number of young people who feel disconnected, demotivated, or uncertain about their future. While discussions about this issue are necessary, talk alone is not enough. What is needed now are actions — concrete, inclusive, and purposeful activities that help youth rediscover confidence, faith, and direction.

This article outlines a series of community-based initiatives designed to address the academic, emotional, and spiritual needs of underachieving Muslim youth.

1. Mentorship Circles: Building Guidance Through Connection

Many young Muslims lack access to mentors who understand both their cultural and personal challenges. Establishing structured mentorship circles can bridge this gap.

Each circle could pair a small group of youth with professionals, scholars, or community leaders who meet regularly to discuss:

• Career pathways and goal-setting

• Time management and study strategies

• Personal and spiritual development

• Overcoming self-doubt and societal pressure

This not only provides practical guidance but also builds a sense of belonging. Seeing successful Muslims who live by their values helps young people envision success as something achievable and authentic.

2. Skill Development and Creative Workshops

Some youth underperform academically not because of a lack of intelligence, but because their talents lie in areas often overlooked by traditional schooling. Organizing workshops in:

• Coding and digital skills

• Entrepreneurship and financial literacy

• Creative writing, art, and design

• Media production and public speaking

…can help them discover new forms of excellence.

When these workshops are framed within an Islamic ethos — emphasising ethics, creativity, and contribution — they teach that skill and spirituality are not opposites, but allies in personal growth.

3. Faith and Wellness Retreats

A well-designed youth retreat can have transformative impact. Over a weekend or several days, participants can engage in spiritual reflection, physical activity, and meaningful discussions in a relaxed environment.

Retreat programs can include:

• Qur’an reflection sessions with relatable themes (identity, purpose, self-worth)

• Team-building and outdoor challenges to build discipline and teamwork

• Guided journaling or group discussions on mental health and resilience

• Workshops on goal-setting rooted in Islamic values

Retreats help youth temporarily step away from distractions and reconnect with themselves — spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

4. Community Service Projects

Engaging youth in community service cultivates responsibility and empathy. It also allows them to see the impact of their actions, which can rebuild self-esteem.

Projects could include:

• Volunteering at food banks or homeless shelters

• Environmental initiatives such as tree planting or recycling drives

• Tutoring programs for younger students

• Fundraising for local or global causes

These activities should be presented not as obligations, but as opportunities for worship and leadership. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others.” (Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsaṭ)

When young Muslims contribute meaningfully to society, they begin to see themselves as valuable agents of change.

5. Career and University Guidance Seminars

Many underachieving youth feel lost due to unclear career paths or lack of exposure to diverse fields. Hosting regular career guidance seminars can provide essential clarity.

Sessions could feature:

• Muslim professionals from varied sectors sharing their journeys

• Panels on navigating education and faith-based identity in the workplace

• Workshops on CV writing, interview preparation, and personal branding

• Information on scholarships and internship opportunities

Importantly, these seminars should blend worldly ambition with spiritual grounding — reminding attendees that success with integrity is the ultimate goal.

6. Youth-Led Masjid Initiatives

Masjids can play a pivotal role in youth empowerment if they evolve from lecture spaces into learning and leadership hubs. Establishing youth-led committees within mosques allows young people to take ownership of:

• Organising community events

• Managing social media outreach

• Hosting open discussions or debate nights

• Planning charity and dawah campaigns

This shift from passive attendance to active contribution gives youth a voice and fosters responsibility, confidence, and belonging within their religious spaces.

7. Mental Health and Counselling Support

Underachievement is often linked to unseen emotional struggles — anxiety, depression, or family pressure. Communities must normalise conversations around mental health and provide access to trained counsellors, ideally those sensitive to Islamic values.

Regular workshops or confidential counselling sessions at community centres can:

• Reduce stigma around mental health

• Teach coping mechanisms grounded in both psychology and spirituality

• Encourage self-reflection and resilience

Faith-based wellbeing programs combining Qur’anic wisdom with practical psychology can be particularly effective in building emotional strength.

8. Recognition and Celebration of Effort

Finally, it is crucial to celebrate effort, not just outcome. Hosting an annual Youth Appreciation Evening can acknowledge:

• Volunteering contributions

• Academic improvement (not just top grades)

• Artistic and entrepreneurial achievements

• Leadership in community initiatives

When young Muslims see their progress recognised, they internalise a sense of worth and motivation. Appreciation fuels aspiration.

Conclusion: From Concern to Collective Action

Empowering underachieving Muslim youth requires more than speeches — it requires strategy, structure, and sincerity. Each activity mentioned above, when implemented with empathy and consistency, can help young people rediscover confidence in themselves and connection to their faith.

The Qur’an reminds us:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (13:11)

It is time for communities to take the initiative — to guide with compassion, to teach with wisdom, and to create spaces where every young Muslim can grow, achieve, and believe in their own potential.