Islam and Contemporary World Series No.3
Muslim Youth
Character Development: An Evidence-Based Framework
Dr. Sameera Ahmed
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Dr. Sameera Ahmed is the founder of The Family and Youth Institute and served as its Executive Director from 2006-2025. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Sameera is a leading expert on American Muslim youth and has produced numerous groundbreaking publications, including The State of American Muslim Youth, Uplifting Black Muslim Youth, Prevalence of Risk Behaviors of US Muslim College Students, and Alcohol Use Among US Muslim College Students. She is known for her contributions in promoting Muslim mental health through many avenues, including the publication of Counseling Muslims: Handbook of Mental Health Issues and Interventions, the most cited academic book on Muslim Mental health.
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Paper Summary
In Muslim Youth Character Development: An Evidence-Based Framework, Dr. Sameera Ahmed examines how Muslim youth in Western minority contexts develop religious identity, character (tarbiyah), and resilience. Drawing on psychological research and Islamic tradition, the paper identifies key influences on youth development and proposes an integrated framework combining Positive Youth Development (PYD) with the Prophetic model of character formation
Key Themes & Findings
In Muslim Youth Character Development: An Evidence-Based Framework, Dr. Sameera Ahmed examines how Muslim youth in Western minority contexts develop religious identity, character (tarbiyah), and resilience. Drawing on psychological research and Islamic tradition, the paper identifies key influences on youth development and proposes an integrated framework combining Positive Youth Development (PYD) with the Prophetic model of character formation
Key Themes & Findings
- Religious Identity & Tarbiyah
- Character development is a lifelong, contextual process.
- Faith can function as a protective factor promoting meaning, resilience, and well-being.
- Major Influences on Development
- Religious minority status and Islamophobia
- Family dynamics and parental modeling
- Socioeconomic barriers
- Peer networks
- Religious community engagement
- Mental Health Outcomes
- Discrimination is linked to anxiety, distress, and identity conflict.
- Strong belonging to family and the Muslim community reduces risk behaviors (e.g., substance use).
- Stigma limits access to mental health support.
- Gaps in Research
- Limited data on generational shifts, technology’s impact, and intersectional identities.
- Need for longitudinal and community-based studies.
- Path Forward: PYD + Prophetic Model
- Supportive adult-youth relationships
- Skill-building and leadership development
- Enabling, inclusive environments
- Youth agency and meaningful contribution