About Murfreesboro Muslim Youth
Murfreesboro Muslim Youth (MMY) is a youth-led, volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We help young people grow into leaders by serving their community, and we welcome neighbors of every background.
Our story
MMY was founded after the brutal killing of three wonderful young Muslims, Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha, and Razan Abu-Salha, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in February 2015. We refer to them as the Three Winners. They exemplified the heart of our faith, giving and selflessness in their community, and we wanted their legacy of giving to continue in ours.
MMY also grew out of the opposition our community faced during the building of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. It became a way to help our youth move through the hatred and alienation of that time, and to show them, again and again, how beautiful their community really is.
Our mission
To help connect, develop, grow, learn from, and educate our youth from all age groups through working together and serving the community.
The success of any event isn't our measure. The growth of the youth leading it is.
Our motto
Good in all acts of service. Proud of our faith, Islam. Active in our community at large.
Our objectives are to give our youth opportunities to serve the community we live in, foster relationships with one another, and bring out the good in each of them, all while developing pride in our Muslim identity.
Our logo
Three figures in orange, red, and green represent the Three Winners, Deah, Yusor, and Razan. They reach out from within a dome, representing our faith, Islam, to the community around them.
Three areas of work
- Community service programs: food, crisis help, refugee support, drives, scholarships
- Interfaith programs: shared meals, festivals, and friendships across faiths
- Youth empowerment: leadership, education, civic life, and fun
Milestones
- 2015
MMY is founded in Murfreesboro.
- 2016
Many programs tested and tried.
- 2017
Murfreesboro Loves is born.
- 2018
Recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
- 2019
The first downtown Love Your Neighbor.
- 2020
During COVID, more than 15,000 meals served in one year.
- 2021
The MMY Center opens, our first home.
- 2022
MMY at MTSU is born.
- 2023
Giving Thanks by Giving delivers almost 1,000 meals.
- 2024
A year of restructuring and internal growth; 1,100+ Thanksgiving meals and school supplies for 300+ children.
- 2025
MMY marks 10 years. In five weeks, 121 donors, partners, and a $25,000 matching grant from The Healing Trust raise more than $55,000 to keep the MMY Center open.
Awards and recognition
- 2026Community Service Award, MTSU Bolt AwardsMonia Mohamed
- 2022Firefly Award, best nonprofit organization in Murfreesboro, Light Up LocalMurfreesboro Muslim Youth
- 2021Platinum Seal of Transparency, GuideStarMurfreesboro Muslim Youth
- 2019Organization of the Year, NAACPMurfreesboro Muslim Youth
- 2019Empowering Women Award: Catalyst for Change, American Muslim Advisory CouncilMurfreesboro Muslim Youth
- 2019Community Service Award, Atlantic InstituteAbdou Kattih
- 2018–19Murfreesboro's Most Beautiful, Murfreesboro MagazineAbdou Kattih
- 2018Volunteer of the Year, The TennesseanSarah Alzabet
- 2017Community Service Award, CAIR AlabamaMurfreesboro Muslim Youth
- 2017Annual Community Service Award, Murfreesboro Fire & RescueMurfreesboro Muslim Youth
- 2017AMAC Volunteer Award, American Muslim Advisory CouncilSafa Baher
- 2017Remarkable Woman, Murfreesboro PostMelissa Sohrabi
- 2016Person of the Year, Daily News JournalAbdou Kattih
- 2015Community Service Award, CAIRAbdou Kattih
MMY has also been recognized by Locally Owned Murfreesboro.
How we use every dollar
Since our start, over 90% of MMY's expenses have gone to direct services. We have no employees, every leader is a volunteer and a monthly donor, and we rely on hundreds of small donors rather than a few large ones. In 2025, MMY received $126,608 and spent $120,242.
Read our annual reports · Meet our leadership · Visit the MMY Center · Read reviews
Support youth-led service in Murfreesboro
Monthly gifts through Dollar4Change let our youth say yes when a family calls. One dollar a day adds up.