About SMYLe

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Young People should never be under-estimated. Given space, responsibility & wise-counsel they can achieve more than anyone ever imagined.

(Zahid Amin, 2004 as President of the Young Muslims UK)

Why SMYLe?

SMYLe, the abbreviation for Swansea Muslim Youth League was established at the birth of the millennium in 2000 to unite and cater for the needs of young Muslims living in Swansea regardless of their race, cultural background or gender.  We are committed to work towards the betterment of the local Welsh society by the promotion of Islamic values and teachings.

How we work?

Post 7/7 there have been many reports on how institutions and organisation set up by the first generation Muslims aiming to teach and promote the true Islamic principles were unfortunately failing the British Muslim youth primarily due to the language barrier and cultural differences.   SMYLe has not faced these problems, as from the core beginning all our programmes have been ran by young British Muslims and presented in the English language.

SMYLe does not work alone. We are a strong believer in partnership and unity, with SMYLe you have access to a large network of partners across UK; we have always maintained strong relations with other organisations that share our commitment in working for the betterment of the British Society.  Nationally, SMYLe has established working relations with the Islamic Society of Britain (ISB), which is one of UK’s most prominent and dynamic mainstream Muslim organisations and its youth-wing the Young Muslims UK.  SMYLe is now an official affiliate of Young Muslim UK, which has enabled us to be part of a nationwide network.

Locally our partners include the likes of Salaam, UWS Islamic Students Society (UWS I.Soc), RAHMA and Black Stone Books amongst many others.  SMYLe is an official partner in Swansea’s Muslim Cultural Fairs and Muslim Football Tournaments.  SMYLe has worked on projects that have been funded by leading public and private sector organisations including Swansea City and County Council, Arts Council for Wales, South Wales Police, British Army, BBC's Children in Need and BT. More recently we are amongst the official partnership forming Swansea’s Festival of Muslim Cultures 2006/07 project.    

SMYLe’s hard work has not gone without recognition, we constantly receive positive feedbacks from parents and children alike, and in 2004 we were also presented with the prestigious BT Community Champions Award.

The People behind SMYLe

All of SMYLe’s work is carried out primarily on a voluntarily basis.  Our project workers are college and university students, graduates or young professionals, all being brought up and raised in Britain.

Because the very nature of our work involves regular and direct contact with young children, we try and ensure that all our trained workers also have a valid CRB check for additional peace of mind.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) knew that each individual has unique talents and qualities, and one person cannot perform every kind of task.  For a community to function, Islamic or otherwise, he ensured that people were skilled in various profession and expertise.  Likewise, SMYLe encourages the youth to ‘follow their talents’ and pursue every avenue of useful endeavour.   

Our Projects

SMYLe has initiated many projects during the past years.  We have a highly extensive project portfolio all concentrated in the locality we work in.  Other Muslim organisations across UK now aspire into achieving similar success in their locality.  A handful our projects are listed as follows:

CLUB SMYLe

Since 2000, SMYLe has been running regular weekly social gathering for young boys and girls.  Currently there are two age groups under 12’s and 12-16.  These gatherings aim to convey Islamic values and teaching whilst insuring the children all have fun, developing and encouraging them to become positive contributors towards benefiting the British society.  Activities include art and crafts, video shows, games and puzzles, stories and much more.  Club SMYLe’s boys and girls gatherings are held separately.

Tailored talks for Muslim Youth

In 2002 with our national partner ISB, we invited an international speaker to deliver a talk specifically tailored to the Muslim youth.  Since 2001, we have also been South Wales’ official organisers in distributing tickets and arranging transport to national ISB events including talks, youth camps, nasheed concerts and conferences.  Most recently in partnership with ISB, SMYLe has organised Swansea first ever Muslim youth convention with inspiring guest speakers and live musical (nahseed) performance hosted at a premium Swansea Central Hotel.

Recreational Activities and Day Outing

Throughout the year SMYLe organises sport sessions, day trips, theme park visits and other recreational activities. Last year, SMYLe in partnership with RAHMA organised weekly self defence classes, and our recent community barbeque in May 2006 organised by Salaam in conjunction with SMYLe and UWS I.Soc attracted over 500 individuals.

Charity Fundraisers

SMYLe encourages its members to help raise funds for various charities.  In June 2006 SMYLe will be participating in the Giant Sleepover challenge, where kids get to break two World Records whilst raising money for ChildLine and the Muslim Youth Helpline.

SMYLe Experience Video

In 2004, SMYLe with grants provided by the Arts Council of Wales produced a powerful 10 minute DVD video documentary about living in Swansea as a Muslim Youth.  The video has constantly been in heavy demand by local authorities, organisations and Muslim event organisers.  The video can be viewed online (IslamWales.com).  A high quality DVD version is also available.

Community Newsletter

Swansea’s Muslim community newsletter project began in 1995.  With the advent of SMYLe in 2000, the newsletter was re-branded and given the SMYLe identity.  It continues to remain Swansea’s longest serving dedicated Muslim community newsletter.  We invite any Muslim youth who have an interest for journalism or feel they have what it takes, to step forward and assist us in the project.

IslamWales.com and SMYLe E-group

Our pioneering online project, IslamWales.com was launched in 2002.  We believe that better communications creates a better and more vibrant society.  Islamwales.com is dedicated to provide essential information made accessible to the growing Muslim community much faster and simpler then ever before.  

Our email mailing list or e-group delivers the latest news directly into your inbox.  We currently have over 150 registered active email addresses.  If you haven’t already then don’t be left out, sign up your email address today!

The Future

 
The past six years may have been a success, but what lies ahead? What exciting projects will SMYLe come up with next?  Well that’s up to you, and the support you provide. For those under 16, please sign up to CLUB SMYLe and we will try and ensure you have a great time.  If you’re over 16 and share our vision, then step forward and do something positive, however small.  If you grew up with SMYLe, we request that you do not turn your back on us, as it’s your turn now.  Get involved in making SMYLe more existing then ever before. Join in our good work and contribute in whatever way you can. There are many different ways we can all play a part with the sincerest of intentions, for Allah (God) promises success for those who are sincere and do good work.

“Let there arise out of you a group of people who would invite others to good, enjoin that which is right (Ma'ruf) and forbid that which is evil (Munkar), and it is those whom are truly successful”  

(Al Qur'an, Al-Imran:104)

With your support Insha Allah (God Willing) the future’s bright, the future’s SMYLe-ing :)

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