DEARBORN — ‘Discover Islam,’ a student organization out of Dearborn High School, is looking to address concerning issues among youth in the community by bringing them closer to their faith. 

Next week, the organization, which consists of over 50 students, will be hosting an “Empowering the Youth” event at Byblos Banquet Hall, with guest speaker Dawud Walid from CAIR-MI.

The teacher sponsor of the organization, Rima Hassan, a 9th-grade English teacher and 11th and 12th-grade psychology teacher, says the organization has been an outlet for students who may not feel comfortable discussing issues with their parents.

“The purpose is to be kind of a safety net for students to understand their religion and the religion of those around them. It’s a way for students to have an understanding of what is stereotypical and what is cultural. People might ask stuff that they might not ask their parents,” Hassan says.

The organization was established in the late-90s at Dearborn High, but Hassan said she became a sponsor of the organization six years ago when she noticed troubling tendencies among high school kids in the community. 

Hassan says high school students are experiencing rises in substance abuse, drinking problems and suicide rates, and they have nowhere to turn to.  

“Parents don’t know that their kids have access to this stuff while they are abusing it. Sometimes they are abusing it right under their noses,” she adds. 

Hassan says hookah lounges in Dearborn have become another easy gateway for local students. Many of them are able to attend hookah lounges and participate in underage drinking and underage smoking. She says Dearborn has earned a reputation among young adults outside of the community for having vibrant hookah bars.

“Underage kids are able to bring in alcohol and mix it with Red Bull and restaurant owners aren’t doing anything. This is where we all have to look at ourselves and say as a community, we are at fault,” Hassan adds. “If we don’t reach out to our younger generation, we are going to lose them.”

The mission statement of Discover Islam is not religious in particular, but more of a philosophical stance to help students stay on the right track with their morals and ethics.

Another guest speaker at the event next week will be Mohamed Dabaja, a pharmacist who is looking to enlighten parents about the indicators of drug abuse. 

The organization is also looking to hand out a $1,000 and $500 scholarship by asking students with a 3.5 GPA or higher to enter an essay contest. The subject that has been selected for them is how the principles of Islam have helped lead them to greater success. A committee will review the essays and award the winners at the dinner. 

Hassan says that Discover Islam has been growing on campus. In the last few years, the organization’s membership rose from 10 students to over 50. 

Tickets for the event cost $25 and include dinner. So far, over 300 tickets have been sold. Those looking to purchase tickets for the event can contact Hassan via email at hassanr1@dearbornschools.org.