20/02/2026
Youth Workshop on Goal Setting at Idara Minhaj Ul Quran
On 30th January 2026, I had the honor of delivering a one hour interactive workshop at the Islamic Centre titled “Goal Setting: How to Set and Achieve Personal and Academic Goals.” The session welcomed children and youth aiming to inspire them to dream big, plan wisely, and balance their academic, personal, and Islamic responsibilities.
We began with a warm-up activity where students shared their dreams for the future. A “Dream Board” slide with images of careers, hobbies, and Islamic activities helped participants imagine what they could achieve. Through this, they learned the difference between wishes and goals recognising that goals require clear steps and commitment.
The importance of goal setting was then explored, highlighting how goals help us stay focused, motivated, and disciplined, while also bringing us closer to Allah through regular prayer and Qur’an reading. To inspire the students, I shared success stories of two Muslim athletes:
• Muhammad Ali, who overcame racism and challenges, stood firm in his faith, and became one of the greatest boxers in history.
• Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first hijab wearing U.S. Olympian, who broke barriers in fencing and inspired Muslim women worldwide.
Students reflected on the challenges these athletes faced and discussed how perseverance and faith helped them succeed.
The workshop introduced the SMART goals framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Together, we practiced turning vague wishes into SMART goals, with examples from both daily life and Islamic practice. A lively team game called “Goal Race” allowed students to create fun goals and break them into SMART steps, reinforcing teamwork and practical application.
We concluded with a recap quiz and a homework task: each student was asked to write one personal, one academic, and one Islamic SMART goal. This ensures they can continue practicing what they learned beyond the workshop.
The workshop was a joyful and meaningful experience. Students left motivated to set goals that strengthen both their academic success and spiritual growth. I am grateful to the Idara Minhaj ul Quran for hosting this program and look forward to more opportunities to empower our youth with purpose, discipline, and faith.
Report prepared by Mr. Hussain Amer
