Faith in the Five Boroughs documents the variety of faiths and their expressions in New York City. Videos explore the diversity.
“How do we understand ourselves as young Muslims in America?” asks Rami Kawas. He’s camp counselor-meets-spiritual advisor for the nearly 500 young people who pray, play and hang out at the Muslim American Society (MAS) Youth Center.
The center was conceived of in the late 1990s, when members of MAS New York sought to reach the growing number of teens and pre-teens among the Middle Eastern and North African families they served. They bought an old Italian-American function hall on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn, replacing the Italian weddings and anniversary parties with daily prayers and a Koranic lecture series. The Center offers karate classes, organizes regular Friday night bowling parties, and even sponsors a ‘sisters prom’ for high-schoolers who want to rock-out in a girls-only venue.
Watch the others as well.
h/t to Killing the Buddha