From July 18 to 20, 2025, the Prophetic Youth Leadership Conference (PYLC) landed in Sacramento, arriving at the beautifully renewed Salam Islamic Center. This gathering was more than just a course. It marked TISA’s long-awaited in-person debut in California, warmly anticipated and welcomed by all.
Twenty-two remarkable young leaders traveled from across the country–places as far as Hawaii, New Jersey, Memphis, Atlanta, the Bay Area, as well as Sacramento itself. Each one brought a strong record of service, eagerness to grow, and heart for the Ummah.
While rooted in TISA and Rabata’s shared vision, this course embraced the West Coast vibe through and through, engaging discourse around pressing challenges, all while appropriately placed in a dynamic and vibrant center. Many supportive visitors attended the book talks and events throughout and after, offering their support and enthusiasm for such a training.
Friday set a powerful tone as students arrived punctually, signed in, prayed Asr and grabbed their meals. They were about to take an unforgettable journey.
Following introductions and an insightful icebreaker, students and faculty quickly began to build a space of trust and meaningful exchange.
Weeks of planning came together in a dynamic opening session, led by all the faculty. The diversity of the team helped make the first session a home run. The captivated audience did not want to go home, the evening ended with the congregational Isha prayer.
Saturday began early with a full breakfast spread at 7 a.m., followed by groupwork time, and presentations. The spacious hall at Salam Center, furnished with breakout areas, large display screens, and easy access to the masjid, offered a seamless environment for study and reflection. The class was divided into four total groups, half sisters and half brothers, who would work together through the weekend on teams. Some of the most effective presentations were done in poetry, lively and pointful skits, or podcasts, bringing creativity alongside the more traditional formats.
Beyond engaging with content, the students were cared for with three full-course meals from various local halal ethnic restaurants throughout the day, accompanied by refreshments like coffee, tea, fresh fruits, and pastries available around the clock. This level of care helped the students and faculty focus on doing their best work.
A student shared their gratitude:
“I really appreciate everything, this was beautifully executed and everything was well thought out, I couldn’t have expected a more beneficial trip out to Sacramento. I felt welcomed and I felt like I fit in. You gave us the space to practice leadership, and everyone did an outstanding job at that! MashaAllah.”
Sunday was a bustling day, starting again early in the morning. After some back-to-back sessions, each of the faculty gave final words of wisdom and conclusions.
The closing ceremony brought a sense of celebration. Salam Islamic Center Board members attended the suspenseful and exciting awards ceremony where teams got their medals, and cheered each other on in mutual encouragement.
A notable element took place when the emotional students signed each other’s textbook copies with individual handwritten messages. They vowed to stay in touch. They were forever transformed. It was clear that something meaningful had taken root, and students had taken on the understanding and mission that leadership is an amanah, a trust that must be upheld with sincerity, taqwa, and vision. Closing duaas were made, and the day ended with zhuhr congregation and lunch. Everyone was deeply pleased with what they had shared and built together.
We are deeply grateful to Salam Islamic Center for hosting and sponsoring this meaningful program, and to our TISA-Rabata faculty who led each session with brilliance, care, and depth. We look forward to future collaborations in aligned vision.
Salam Board:
“The SALAM family is deeply grateful to the TISA family for sharing their knowledge and expertise with SALAM community. Mashaa’Allah, you are a sincere and dedicated group that reflects our Deen and embody the traits of our Prophet (s). We are just as thankful as the students are for sharing this long weekend with us. You have an open invitation to visit us anytime, and we hope you consider SALAM as your home. There is no better thing to do than collaborating in the sake of Allah. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.”
By Dr. Mona Islam (TISA faculty and Board member)
