About Us

The Al-Ikhwan started out in 2001 with a man who had a dream and a vision. After witnessing many shortcomings and mishaps of the youth in his generation, he decided to do something that would benefit the youth of the future generations.

  It was a bright Saturday afternoon, and there is a gathering of youth in the Markaz Ul Islam basement where a Study Circle/Youth Forum was being facilitated. After the forum Abdul Alami approached the youth and asked them to play a game of soccer so he could assess us on our skills and see if it was possible to organize a Muslim youth soccer team. After assembling the team, The Al-Ikhwan (a name that the youth chose themselves - meaning The Brotherhood) played against other youth from different communities and cultural backgrounds.

  As the years passed by, the Ikhwan started to grow, more and more youth got involved and more youth took part in the mosque's regular activities. The Ikhwan began volunteering at various events throughout the city such as the Islamic School Fundraising Dinner , the Boyle Street Co-Op dinner and Edmonton of Edmonton youth council . The amount of youth still increased at a stable level. After much hard work and dedication the Al-Ikhwan was able to officially enroll a men's soccer team with EDSA (Edmonton District Soccer Association) in 2004. In 2005 the AIYC also set up a girl's basketball team, the Al-Ikhwat with the City of Edmonton. In 2006 the AIYC decided to enter a men's basketball team with the City of Edmonton. This team has already reached great heights by advancing to the playoffs in their inaugural season. All three teams have enjoyed great success and are still improving consistently. Also AIYC has arranged many social workshops and skills development programs to provide effective education opportunities for youth and especially the emerging immigrant’s youth. 

  In 2005 the AIYC began construction and renovation of the AIYC youth center into which a lot of hard work and dedication was put. Unfortunately the construction of the youth had to deal with several road blocks. Despite the road blocks, the youth center officially had it's grand opening on March 10, 2007. It is now fully functional with a main reception and office area, two lobbies for relaxation, one for the boy's and one for the girl's. Another lobby for prayers and study circles/forums, a private and separate room for any individual that may be in distress or may need some counseling.

 Using these universal values as a base the AIYC youth Group will continue to prosper to maintain sport teams, summer youth camps, provide workshops, social events, weekly halqas/forum and to network with other organizations locally in Edmonton to develop a strong Edmonton community and a stronger Edmonton youth community.

  AIYC would like to thank the Government of Alberta and other agencies for their recent Community Spirit Program grant of $16,000. It is through support like this that enables AIYC to provide meaningful and effective programs.