"Let there rise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity." [3:104]

The Al Hujjah retreat was an idea conceived and put into action by 10 active youths from different areas in the LA and SD areas. It emerged in the public eye early 2008, when a group of activists from Southern California emphasized and discussed the need for a united platform facilitating grass roots activism in the region. The founders envisioned this to be completed through forums, conferences, and more importantly spiritual retreats. Some of these youths were already exposed to some training from the first AMYNA Rise Retreat, but there was still a void to be filled locally. 

The potential was there with having one of the largest Muslim populations in the country, but with over 12 different communities that have been broken and fragmented this task seemed almost impossible. The task seemed very daunting and intimidating to even fathom, with the plethora of issues amongst the communities beginning years, if not decades ago.

Nevertheless, with the inherent drive to bring change, the small group subdued all predicted obstacles from continuing the project. The inspiration and motivation was not only based on youth activism, but it was primarily based on serving and pleasing Imam Al Hujjah (a), the twelfth Imam (a) from where the name originates. The ten founders and members were determined that something must be done for the coming of the Imam.  

On April 25 a new initiative was launched in Southern California. It was called the "Al-Hujjah Retreat", a two day intensive retreat in Big Bear Mountain. The theme of the retreat was "Conditioning the Soul: Preparing for the Imam of our Time." With the help and advice of the Allied Muslim Youth of North America and local community leaders the Al-Hujjah Retreat was highly successful. The response was amazing, with more people interested in coming than the retreat could accommodate.