Youness was working as a tour guide in Morocco when he gave a tour to an American woman from Vermont. It was this encounter that would set him on a path to the United States in the year 2000, and his first marriage.

During his first year in the US, Youness started coaching youth in soccer, a sport he loves, and grew up playing in Morocco. Now he enjoys being a referee.

After he and his first wife divorced, Youness remarried a Moroccan woman named Rania, who he knew from University.

"I fell in love with this place."

Youness views Vermont as an accepting, peaceful state – a place where Muslims are respected. “I’ve been here 17 years. I’ve never been harassed, discriminated [against] or racially profiled.”

“We have a few interfaith groups. They come to our mosque, we go to their synagogues or churches.”

Youness misses Morocco, especially the social life. It is at the Islamic Society of Vermont (ISVT) where Youness has made connections and become engaged with the local community. He is chairman of both ISVT’s Board of Trustees and of the Islamic School.

The ISVT serves a few thousand people and first opened its doors in 1997. Aside from a small house where the Somali community prays, this building is the only mosque in the entire state of Vermont. It serves Muslims from all over the world, many who were refugees resettled in the area.

The idea of ISVT started when a few of the society’s founders where praying in a house. St. Michael's College was made aware and invited them to come pray in their church. As the population of Muslims in the area grew, they sought out their own building. First they purchased a third of the current structure and then a few years ago they collected the necessary funds and bought the rest.

“I want to share my story because I want other people to know that if you work hard, get married and have kids, you can achieve happiness anywhere in the world.”

Currently Youness owns a Taxi service called Star Cab and does IT on the side.

When friends come over, in traditional Moroccan fashion, tea must be served alongside cookies, dates and nuts. A process his daughters seem to enjoy.

Youness has made a home for himself in Burlington, and has no plans on leaving Vermont. His custom-made traditional wooden table, Quran and Moroccan decorations, provide him a sense of home in the USA.