For a decade, Murfreesboro Muslim Youth (MMY) has been a beacon of service, compassion, and community connection in Middle Tennessee—feeding the hungry, aiding refugees, and promoting interfaith unity through youth-led initiatives.

“Murfreesboro Muslim Youth has been a driving force behind community service, dedicating over 30,000 hours to various initiatives. They have served 50,000 meals and supported hundreds of youth in nurturing their passion for giving back,” said Dawn Rhodes, cofounder of Community Action of Rutherford County, WGNS Radio reported.

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To celebrate the group’s milestone, Community Action is hosting an appreciation dinner and fundraiser on Friday, July 11, from 6–8:30 p.m. at The Warehouse, 730 Middle Tennessee Blvd., Suite 14.

The event will include a catered dinner by The Alley on Main, a raffle, and a program highlighting MMY’s impact and mission.

All proceeds will go toward helping MMY continue its work of educating and empowering youth through service.

Founded in 2015 by pharmacist and father Abdou Kattih, MMY was born in the aftermath of a national tragedy—the murder of three Muslim college students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in what was described as a hate crime.

“To prevent this, we have to stop hate,” Kattih said. “It’s something we all have to stand against.”

Rather than respond with fear or silence, Kattih encouraged local Muslim youth to respond with action and service.

His vision grew into a thriving nonprofit where teens and young adults lead community programs aimed at helping the homeless, feeding the hungry, and strengthening neighborhood bonds.

A Decade of Charity

MMY’s first major initiative was “30 Days of Giving” during Ramadan in 2015, when youth volunteers assembled over 100 food boxes and distributed warm meals to those facing food insecurity.

Since then, MMY’s impact has only grown. In October, the group co-hosted the Love Your Neighbor Picnic with the Christian-based Murfreesboro Cold Patrol. The interfaith potluck brought together some 250 people for fellowship and shared purpose.

Over the years, MMY has also helped resettle more than 60 refugee families, offered English classes to newcomers, and provided leadership-building opportunities to dozens of young volunteers.

“It was amazing to see how this small group blossomed into a force for good,” said Rhodes.

Rhodes added that the appreciation event is a chance for the wider community to give back.

“Murfreesboro Muslim Youth has given back so much to others, and we want to give back to them,” she said. “We hope you’ll help us honor and support this amazing group of youth.”