Riaya Young Adult Stewardship Program
Ri’aya, Young Adult Stewardship Program, is a two-week capacity-building program from August 10, 2025 – August 23, 2025, for young Muslim women ages 15-22, that provides them with a deeper understanding of Islam, its history, and current global challenges. Through intellectual exchange, mentorship, and capacity development, the program offers young Muslim women the learning and tools needed to think critically, analyze contemporary trends, and confidently address challenges that impede their current and future participation in local and global society.
- Global Programs
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Important Dates
- Learning: To provide young Muslim women with the historical and political understanding of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies so they can better understand their socio-political context and engage with it in an informed way.
- Capacity Building: To provide young Muslim women with a support network, practical knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate current times and lead their communities into a future wherein Muslim women are fully engaged and enjoy full representation and participation in society.
- A better understanding of contemporary Muslim societies and the development of Muslim identities.
- Stronger critical thinking, logical reasoning, public speaking, writing, and other life skills necessary for success in university and beyond.
- Broad intercultural exposure and exchanges with Muslim women from diverse backgrounds.
- Deeper knowledge of the challenges faced by the global south and implications for the development of Muslim communities.
- Relevant information and exposure to fast-changing technological trends across the global workforce.
- The program will be two weeks long.
Participants will attend four courses. - Courses will be accompanied by field trips.
- Two capacity-building workshops will be organized to provide academic and professional development skills.
- Young Muslim women ages 17-20 (either junior/senior in high school or first/second year in university)
- English proficiency
- Valid Qatar IDs and/or passport for international students
- Academic transcripts with no failing grades.
- Candidates from low to middle-income backgrounds or conflict or calamity-hit regions are highly encouraged to apply.
- All candidates must be able to submit a consent form signed by a parent or guardian agreeing for the candidate to attend the program.
Course 1: Ways of Knowing: Seeing Ourselves and the World
The course explores the many ways people understand themselves and the world around them. Together, we will examine how knowledge is shaped by history, place, culture, and power.
Through guided discussion, reflection, and group activities, participants will explore how their own experiences, beliefs, and identities shape the way they see and are seen in the world.
By the end of the course, participants will gain deeper confidence in navigating academic spaces while drawing strength from their traditions, particularly as Muslim women. Participants will begin to see themselves as part of a broader conversation about how knowledge is made, shared, and valued.
Course 2: Thriving in a Digital Age: Navigating Technology with Purpose
Participants will explore current global technological trends; how technology is shaping identity, opportunity, and influence—from social media and AI to digital privacy, online activism, and workforce, and their potential impact on Muslim societies. This includes the emerging shifts in workforce needs, digital divides, disparities in digital literacy, representation, ethical use of technology, and more.
The course aims to equip participants with the skills, confidence, and critical perspectives needed to thrive in today’s digital age, while staying grounded in faith, values, and community.
Course 3: Historical Implications of Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship
This course delves into Islamic perspectives about environmental preservation and explores the impact of colonization on traditional environmental protection practices, with a focus on how young women can engage in climate action to make a difference in handling current-day challenges faced by their communities.
Course 4: Islamic Ethics and Navigating Everyday Life
The course explores how the Qur’an and Sunnah guide Muslims in belief, daily living, and their role in the world. Through key themes like faith, Prophetic character, justice, and ethical living, participants will discover how Islamic teachings offer timeless wisdom for modern life. Participants will gain a deeper, practical connection to their faith in today’s world.
Workshop 1: Design Thinking Workshop: Becoming Positive Change Agents
This intensive, four-hour, hands-on workshop is designed to equip young women with the tools of Design Thinking to make purposeful, values-aligned decisions in their academic, personal, and religious lives. Through collaborative activities, personal reflection, and Islamic grounding, participants will learn how to approach challenges with creativity, confidence, and clarity.
Workshop 2: Career Planning and Professional Development
The workshop will equip participants with tools to identify, pursue, and sustain meaningful, purpose-driven, and values-aligned careers.
15-22
Applicant should be either junior/senior in high school or in first/second year at university.
Yes, both categories of students can apply. Students from conflict and war-torn areas are highly encouraged to apply.
The cost of the program is QAR 5,500. For international students based outside of Qatar an additional cost of QAR 8,500 covering travel, health insurance, boarding, and lodging is also be included.
Successful applicants will be considered for financial assistance. For international students, the financial assistance will cover additional round-trip ticket to Qatar, tuition, room, and board.
The program classes will be arranged at the Al-Mujadilah Centre and Mosque for Women. All participants will go on supervised field trips in Al-Mujadilah arranged transportation.
Al-Mujadilah will arrange pick-up and drop for international students. All international students will stay in safe accommodations also arranged by Al-Mujadilah.
