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Aging with Dignity

Project Overview

Inspired by conversations with seniors and their caregivers, The Family & Youth Institute has launched a community empowerment initiative.

Our Goal:

To enhance healthy aging in Canton, MI by connecting our community with essential services. We map local resources, identify gaps, and create accessible pathways to care—all driven by the community we serve.

This project was made possible through the support of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (MHEF).

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Resources

Use this guide to prepare a Khutbah sermon about the importance of understanding the needs of elders and preparing for the caregiving journey.

Panelists Nadeem Siddiqi, Maryum Khwaja, LCSW, and Omar Haydar discuss the elder care journey, the caregiver and elder relationship, self-care and avoiding caregiver burnout.

Key Project Goals

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Summarize research
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Recruit advisory group
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Identify community resources
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Create asset map
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Enhance Advocacy
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Improve Programming

Results That Matter: Our Elder Care Initiatives Outcomes

  • A personalized guide to community resources
  • Empowering knowledge to advocate for yourself and your loved ones
  • A blueprint for healthy aging that can inspire other communities
  • Powerful partnerships that create connections to culturally-informed guidance

Project Team

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Fizza Humayun

Project Manager

Shamiha Zaman headshot

Shamiha Zaman

Marketing & Communication Officer

Danyal Khan

Danyal Khan

Executive Director

Project Advisors

Dr. Sameera Ahmed

Sameera Ahmed

Founder, The FYI

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Kristine J. Ajrouch

Ph.D., Sociology University of Michigan

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Najah Bazzy

CEO Zaman International

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Nausheen Razvi

Community Engagement - MCWS

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Amne M. Talab

ACCESS - Director Social Services (East)

Thank You to Our Partners!

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Canton Club 55+ Logo
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ELM logo
MECCA Logo
Michigan Health Endowment Fund Logo
mcws logo
Sterling Advisory Group Logo

Give Now to Strengthen Our Community

Help us provide the resources that Muslim elders deserve. Your contribution makes a big impact.

Zakat eligibility of The FYI

The Family & Youth Institute, or The FYI, is a well-known Muslim organization in the United States. It works to promote mental health and wellness by strengthening and empowering individuals, families, and communities through research and education. It has been working for many years to bring Islamic perspectives to understanding and promoting mental health in our communities.

It is dedicated to serving and supporting Muslims – safeguarding our deen, our families, and our future generations. Therefore, the work of The FYI comes in the category of ‘fi sabeelillah’ or the Path of Allah, within the eight categories where Zakat money can be used.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah, is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah 9:60)

According to scholars who widen the meaning of fee sabeelillah to include any activities that promote Islamic growth, The FYI is indeed eligible to receive part of the Zakat funds for its programs and services. I urge Muslims in America to support this organization through their donations, general charity, and through their Zakat. I ask Allah swt to strengthen and guide The FYI to continue its good work in supporting Muslims.

Shaikh Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD

About Shaikh Ali

Sh. Ali Suleiman Ali was born in Ghana where he spent his childhood studying with various Muslim scholars. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the Islamic University of Madina.  He graduated with a degree in both Arabic and Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali went on to complete his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sh. Ali serves on the Advisory Council of The Family & Youth Institute. He is the Senior Imam and Director of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton, Michigan. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Muslim Family Services in Detroit and is a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). He is also a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) and the Association of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA).