Nigerian-American Muslim men gather in Houston for faith, reflection

THE 19th annual Men, Brothers, Fathers (MBF) Summit was held between 29 and 31 August, 2025 at a YMCA camp near Houston, Texas, drawing hundreds of Nigerian-American Muslim men from across the United States.

Since its founding in 2006, the MBF Summit has grown into a nationally recognised gathering and spiritual retreat, offering a rare intergenerational space for dialogue, mentorship and community renewal.

This year’s theme, ‘The Qur’an: A Guide for Modern Life’, set the tone for three days of introspective conversation and practical workshops.

A communique which followed the summit said participants ranged from teenagers and college students to working professionals and respected elders, with attendees travelling from cities including Houston, Dallas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri and California, underscoring the summit’s growing national relevance.

The summit opened with a reflection on the MBF journey, tracing its roots from a small circle of brothers to its present stature as a beacon for Muslim men navigating life in America.

The opening keynote emphasised grounding all conversations in the timeless w isdom of the Qur’an, especially when confronting the complex realities of modern life, parenting and identity in the US.

Over the course of last weekend, attendees engaged in a rich lineup of sessions, from panel discussions and fireside reflections to resume-building clinics and conversations on artificial intelligence. A dynamic blend of faith, culture and contemporary issues framed every conversation.

One of the most powerful themes to emerge was the nuanced relationship between generations.

The well-attended generational dialogue revealed both tension and tenderness. Elders reflected on how their upbringing in Nigeria shaped their protective parenting instincts, while youths voiced a desire for more openness, trust and emotional connection.

In youth-led forums, teenagers described the daily balancing act of living between two worlds. Some spoke about the sting of being mistrusted or misunderstood at home, while others stressed the importance of open lines of communication.

“Sometimes it feels like parents assume the worst, even when we just want to be heard,” one youth shared.

Young adults offered layered reflections, noting how even after adolescence, parental mistrust often lingers.

A participant recalled persuading his father to let him attend a pool party, only to witness underage drinking. “It made me appreciate my father’s instincts. But it also showed me the value of dialogue over prohibition,” he said.

Still, others argued that parents must preserve authority, even while nurturing friendship. “Trust is essential, but guidance is love in action,” said a participant in his late twenties.

The discussion underscored a shared desire across age groups: to foster trust while balancing authority and empathy.

The summit’s wide-ranging workshops addressed the pressing challenges and opportunities facing Muslim men today

Family and parenting sessions guided men on strengthening their roles as fathers, navigating cultural gaps and raising children grounded in Islamic values within a Western context.

Young men were encouraged to take on meaningful leadership roles, with an emphasis that responsibility must be paired with trust, not just supervision.

Resume-building clinics, mentorship meetups and career coaching sessions provided practical tools for young professionals.

Workshops tackled the challenges of living out Islamic faith amid secular influences, academic pressure and social isolation.

Also, panels explored how emerging fields like artificial intelligence intersect with Muslim ethics, career development and community life.

Outside the formal agenda, the MBF Summit offered moments of deep spiritual and emotional connection.

Daily prayers, Qur’an recitations and communal meals fostered a sense of unity. Late-night discussions by the fire, impromptu sports games and walks through the campgrounds allowed attendees to connect in ways that were as impactful as the workshops.

Fathers prayed beside their sons. Professionals mentored college students. Elders offered stories of resilience, while teenagers posed hard questions that sparked intergenerational dialogue.

As the summit came to a close, a common refrain emerged: the need for continued dialogue and deeper trust across generations.

Participants left energised to carry the lessons of the summit into their homes, mosques and communities.

Now in its 19th year, the MBF Summit continues to stand as a vital space for Nigerian-American Muslim men to reconnect, with faith, with family and with one another.

It remains a rare forum where personal growth, spiritual reflection and professional development intersect, with the Qur’an as a compass and community as its heart.

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