4 Main Course Sessions and 4 Elective Courses
Total min. 32h
Virtual Classroom Support
Certification of Attendance
Full Refund to 28h or more of live participation to courses
Mentor Portal presents The Young Seekers as a compass to the perplexed minds. Designed specifically for the needs of Muslim youth, the Young Seekers courses provide answers to the most challenging questions this postmodern era puts to Islam, strategies of self-learning in a time of information bombardment and deep-fake, respect for the 15 hundreds years of Islamic history and courage to say ‘I am a proud Muslim!’
In its 2024-2025 education year enrolment in The Young Seekers program is done for two terms combined. The year is composed of two terms, each composed of eight weeks of learning. Below you will find a list of courses that are offered in each term;
- Designed specifically for the needs of the Muslim youth
- Delivered by lecturers with proven teaching abilities
- 32 hours of course on various aspects of religious experience
- Fully online courses supported with Google Classroom, Zoom, and Kahoot
- Ability to watch missed classes from recorded videos
- Kahoot challenges at the end of each terms
- A full refund of course fees to students who have attended 28 or more of the 32 courses live and in full
Objectives of the Program:
- Discussing challenges of the post-modern era to the faith and identity of younger generations
- Finding answers to existential problems from the treasures of the Quran
- Responding to the alternative narratives of non-Islamic ideas and ideologies
- Equipping the young participants with the abilities to analyze and respond to future challenges
- Nurturing a love and passion for truth in the hearts and minds of the new generation
The courses take place on Tuesdays / Wednesday evenings, between 7:30pm and 9:30pm EST, with each lecture lasting 50 minutes.
Main Course Sessions:
- Foundation of Faith (AKAID) – Gazi Aga – Tuesdays 7:30pm EST – ENG
- Foundation of Faith (AKAID) – Ali Unsal – Wednesdays 7:30pm EST – TR
- Foundation of Faith (AKAID) – Kemal Civelek – Wednesdays 7:30pm EST – ENG
- Foundation of Faith (AKAID) – Sinan Genc – Wednesdays 9:30pm EST – TR
Elective Courses:
- Interfaith Dialogue – Ibrahim Anli – Tuesdays 8:30pm EST – ENG
- Discovering Your Identity – Yusuf Unal – Wednesdays 8:30pm EST – TR
- Contemporary Topics in the Life of Prophet Muhammed SAV – Alp Aslandogan – Wednesdays 8:30pm EST – ENG
- A Young Muslim’s Guide – Nuray Tudes – Wednesdays 8:30pm EST – TR
Foundation of Faith (AKAID)
The “Young Seeker” program is a comprehensive 16-week educational initiative designed to introduce young Muslims to the fundamental tenets of Islamic belief. The program aims to provide participants with a deep and structured understanding of key Islamic doctrines, ensuring that they not only learn the essential aspects of their faith but also internalize these beliefs to guide their daily lives. This program is ideal for young individuals who are beginning their spiritual journey and seek to build a solid foundation in their religious knowledge.
The main objective of the Young Seeker program is to instill a strong, well-rounded understanding of the six pillars of faith (Iman) in Islam. Participants will explore these pillars in a structured and detailed manner, allowing them to develop a firm grasp of their faith. Additionally, the program will focus on practical applications of these beliefs, encouraging participants to embody their faith in their everyday actions and decisions.
Foundation of Faith (AKAID) Instructors
Dr. Ali Unsal is an Islamic scholar with over 25 years of experience in the fields of Islamic studies, education, and interfaith engagement. Holding a PhD in Islamic Theology from Selcuk University, Dr. Unsal has devoted his career to deepening his knowledge of Islamic sciences and sharing that knowledge through teaching, mentoring, and public speaking. His experience spans academic roles in various institutions, including in Indonesia, as well as his involvement with the WISE Institute, where he focuses on fostering a balanced and nuanced understanding of Islam. Fluent in multiple languages, Dr. Unsal is passionate about promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and ethical leadership through both his academic and community work. His dedication to continual learning and teaching has shaped his career as a humble servant of knowledge and a contributor to interfaith dialogue.
Dr. Ali Unsal has contributed to various publications focused on Islamic theology and leadership, addressing contemporary challenges while integrating traditional Islamic principles. His works emphasize ethical leadership, spirituality, and the role of religion in promoting peace. His academic and community-oriented writings reflect his dedication to applying Islamic ethics to societal issues and fostering coexistence.
Imam Gazi Aga is currently the director of the North East Islamic Community Center (NEICC), Wayne, NJ, and imam of the Albanian American Cultural Center, Riverdale, NJ.
He was imam of the Albanian American Community in Waterbury, CT for more than 5 years.
Known as Imam Gazi, he served as a Correctional Chaplain for two years. He is part of The Three Amigos (a priest, an imam, and a rabbi), an interfaith initiative. He is married and has two children. Imam Gazi served for several years as the vice chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania.
Ali Civelek presently holds the position of imam at the Blue Mosque under Turkish cultural center , where he imparts teachings on Islam, Sufism, and the philosophy of Islam. With a background in engineering, he pursued a Master’s degree in “Faith and American Culture” from Saint Thomas University. Actively engaged in community service, he serves as a board member of the Houston institute of Islam and volunteers in Texas prisons, participating in reentry and outreach programs for inmates. Married to Nurcan Civelek for 28 years, he is a devoted father to five children.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Marmara University’s Faculty of Theology and his master’s degree at Moravian Theological Seminary. He has been active in counseling and interfaith dialogue, organizing various seminars at the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum and the Istanbul Cultural Center in Atlanta. Alongside his modern academic education, he also spent many years in traditional study circles, where Islamic sciences were taught under the guidance of scholars. He currently serves as an imam at the Southeast Islamic Community Center in Atlanta and teaches at Respect Graduate School.
Elective Courses & Instructors
He completed his undergraduate studies at Ankara University’s Faculty of Theology and his master’s degree in exegesis (tafsir) at Sakarya University’s Faculty of Theology. He started a PhD program in Islamic mysticism (Sufism) at Ankara University’s Faculty of Theology but had to leave during the dissertation phase.
For over twenty years, he worked as a student advisor and served as a teacher and department head for the Religious Culture and Ethics course. He also taught theology courses to teacher candidates graduating from theology faculties, for which he prepared question banks and practice exams.
Yusuf Ünal is also a literary author. His stories and novels Gül Dikenler (Rose Thorns), Zerdali Çekirdeği (Apricot Seed), Hengame (Tumult), and Kaçış Rampası (Escape Ramp) have been published. His writings were previously featured in magazines like Sızıntı, Yeni Ümit, and Yağmur. He currently publishes his articles both on the online newspaper Tr724.com and on the website geceze.com, where he is the founder and editor.
Course Name: Discovering Your Identity
Course Description:
Week 1: On being at peace with one’s identity and sense of belonging
Week 2: On the ability to use one’s native language
Week 3: On the blossoming of the individual and individuality
Week 4: On the ability to attune oneself
Week 5: On flexible thinking or being like a crop
Week 6: On organizing goodness and taking initiative
Week 7: On Islam and the culture of coexistence
Week 8: On the transformation of faith into morality
Nuray Tudes is a youth coordinator for SKY ACADEMY at the CJCC location. She holds an Islamic Studies degree with concentration in Qur’an and Hadith from the Hassan II University of Casablanca where she learned French, Arabic and Darija. As an aspiring learner, she expanded her knowledge to IT, Dental Esthetics and Life Coaching.
Course Name: A Young Muslim’s Guide
Course Description:
1. What is Love for Allah?
2. Fear of Allah
3. The Comprehensive Nature of Prayer in Islam’s Pillars
4. Allah’s Test of Faith (Trials)
5. Brotherhood and Unity in Islam
6. The Dangers of the Tongue: Backbiting
7. The Virtues of Supplication (Dua) and Remembrance (Dhikr)
8. Sensitivity to Halal and Haram
Dr. Y. Alp Aslandogan is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Shared Values, a non-profit organization that promotes bringing together citizens of diverse backgrounds around shared values of humanity. The Alliance serves as an umbrella for foundations focusing on interfaith and intercultural dialogue in North America, bringing together citizens of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith backgrounds around meaningful conversations and social responsibility projects.
Dr. Aslandogan also serves as the chair of the Integration Committee of the North America Civic Platform, an association of cultural, religious and humanitarian organizations established by Hizmet Movement participants in North America.
Prior to his current position Dr. Aslandogan served as the president of North American University, an adjunct faculty member of Prairie View A&M University, the board president of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog and a board member of the Gulen Institute in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Aslandogan is a co-editor of “Muslim Citizens of the Globalized World: Contributions of the Gulen Movement” and a co-author of “The Messenger: Prophet Muhammad and his life of compassion”.
Dr. Aslandogan has served as an author and an editor of the Fountain magazine, and as a member of the board of practitioners and scholars of the Journal of Interreligious Dialogue. He published opinion columns on Huffington Post, CNN.com and Newsweek.com. As the director of Alliance for Shared Values and a personal translator for Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen, the inspiration behind the Hizmet Movement, he was interviewed by PBS, CBS, and Voice of America.
Dr. Aslandogan holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also did graduate studies at Hartford Seminary in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations.
Course Name: Contemporary Topics in the Life of Prophet Muhammad sav
Course Description:
1. Accommodation of the mentally challenged.
2. Anti-racism (social transformation).
3. Women empowerment.
4. Protection of the Environment.
5. Mercy towards people and animals.
6. Striving for peace and avoiding violent conflicts.
7. Interfaith Relations.
8. Social Justice.
9. Compassion and Methods of Behavior Change.
10. Time Management.
11. Using Humor as an Educational Tool.
12. Community leadership.
13. Humanity.
14. Devotion.
15. Family Life, Courtesy, Humility, Leadership.
16. Openness to Innovation.
17. Arts and entertainment.
18. Strategist.
Ibrahim Anli is a civic entrepreneur with a career record that bridges nonprofit and academic experience. He has been serving as the executive director of Rumi Forumsince 2019.
Ibrahim was a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2007-08. He joined the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (JWF) Ankara office as its diplomacy coordinator in 2010. He became the secretary general of Abant Platform, JWF’s Istanbul based forum of intellectuals, in 2013. Ibrahim was a full-time lecturerat the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tishk International University in Erbil, Kurdistan in 2016-17.
Ibrahim has published a number of peer reviewed book chapters and articles. He holds a BA in Economics from Istanbul University, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University, and a certificate in Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs from Harvard University. He is a member of Braver Angels Scholars Council and also serves on the board of Religion Communicators Council.
Course Name: Interfaith Dialogue
Course Description:
Week 1: Introduction to Interfaith Dialogue
Week 2: Exploring World Religions I
Week 3: Exploring World Religions II
Week 4: Interfaith Dialogue Skills
Week 5: Religion and Society
Week 6: Interfaith Service Project Planning
Week 7: Interfaith Service Project Execution
Week 8: Reflection and Moving Forward
