BE A CHANGEMAKER -Md Tareq Hasan

The world has always been shaped by those who dared to dream beyond the limits of convention, those who believed that faith, vision, and relentless perseverance could rewrite the story of humanity. From groundbreaking scientists to fearless social reformers, the history of progress is a testament to changemakers and individuals who refused to remain passive in the face of injustice, ignorance, or despair. Yet, while history often highlights the lives of the famous, there are countless unsung heroes, some of them children and young adults, whose courage and sacrifice have altered the course of nations and inspired generations.

For young adults standing at the threshold of adulthood, the question is no longer whether the world needs change, it’s whether we are willing to be the ones to bring it. Let’s celebrate that spirit, drawing inspiration from brilliant Muslim scientists, courageous thinkers, and the youth martyrs of Bangladesh’s July Uprisings 2024. Their stories converge on a simple truth: changemakers are not born; they are made through vision, faith, and unwavering commitment to a purpose greater than themselves.

Faith and Science: The Legacy of Visionaries
Throughout history, Muslim figures have demonstrated that faith and intellect are not opposing forces, they are complementary powers that, when combined, can change the world. Ibn al-Haytham, the medieval polymath often called the “father of modern optics,” revolutionized the study of light and vision. His insistence on experimentation, observation, and rational inquiry laid the foundations of the scientific method, centuries before the West formalized it. Yet, Ibn al-Haytham’s scientific brilliance was inseparable from his spiritual grounding. He saw the study of nature not merely as an intellectual pursuit but as a way to appreciate the divine order of creation.

Similarly, Fatima Al-Fihri, a visionary philanthropist of the 9th century, founded the University of Al Quaraouiyine in Morocco, recognized as the world’s oldest existing degree-granting university. Fatima’s faith-inspired mission created a lasting legacy of learning and intellectual exploration, empowering generations of scholars and scientists. Her story reminds young adults that transformative change often begins not in boardrooms or political arenas but in communities, with a vision nurtured by conviction and compassion.

In the modern era, figures like Dr. Hayat Sindi, a Saudi biotechnologist, demonstrate that science can be a vehicle for social change. Her innovations in affordable medical diagnostics have improved healthcare access for underserved populations, proving that scientific genius can serve humanity when coupled with empathy and ethical responsibility. These stories illuminate a vital lesson for young changemakers: whether through research, innovation, or community service, your work can ripple outward, shaping lives far beyond your immediate reach.

The Silent Voices of Courage: Children of the July Uprisings
While historical figures show the power of vision and faith, the heroes of the July Uprisings 2024 remind us of the cost of courage in the present day. These were young people who refused to accept oppression, injustice, and inequality as inevitable. Their bravery, often under lethal threat, became a beacon of hope for an entire nation.
Take the story of Rifat, a 22-year-old student at Dhaka University. His final words, whispered to his mother in the chaos of protest, resonate with enduring power: “Ami fire ashbo na, Ma. Kintu tomar shonar Bangla abar jonmodibe—ei shongshoye ami jachhi.” (“I will not return, Mother. But your golden Bengal will be reborn, I go with this promise.”) Rifat’s sacrifice was more than a political act; it was a statement of unwavering faith in a future he would not live to see, a testament to the idea that real change often demands courage greater than fear.

In the narrow, tin-roofed house of Talkhur village, Joypurhat, the echo of Rita Akhtar’s dreams still lingers in the wind. At just 17, she was already a beacon of hope, weaving ambitions far larger than her circumstances. But a bullet silenced her aspirations, piercing not just her body but the heart of a family, a village, and a nation. Rita’s story reminds young readers that courage is not the absence of fear; it is the determination to act in spite of it. Her life, though tragically short, continues to inspire those who dare to dream boldly.

Similarly, in Lakshmipur, Saad Al Afnan, a boy with a gentle smile and big glasses, dreamed of becoming a scientist who would save lives. His aspirations were ordinary yet extraordinary in their sincerity and purity. Saad’s dreams were interrupted by the violence of an oppressive system, yet the memory of his quiet determination lives on—a call to all young adults that the pursuit of knowledge and service to humanity is a form of resistance and empowerment.

These young martyrs are not just symbols of tragedy; they are exemplars of a generation that refuses to surrender. Their stories demand reflection and action, challenging us to recognize that heroism is not only measured in global fame or wealth but in the courage to stand for justice, to speak truth, and to dream relentlessly.

Changemaking in Everyday Life
Being a changemaker does not require one to be a Rifat, Rita, or Saad—though their courage sets the standard. Changemaking begins in small acts of responsibility, integrity, and innovation. It can mean solving a local problem in your community, developing a scientific invention that improves lives, or mentoring younger students to think critically and ethically.

Look at the example of Dr. Tasneem Zehra Husain, Pakistan’s first female string theorist. Her journey in a male-dominated field illustrates that intellectual courage, the willingness to challenge conventions and pursue knowledge can itself reshape society. By sharing her story, she inspires young adults, particularly women, to break barriers, pursue STEM fields, and redefine what is possible in communities that have historically been denied opportunities.

Even on a more localized scale, young entrepreneurs and innovators across the Muslim world are addressing social challenges with creativity and faith-guided ethics. They develop low-cost water filtration systems, renewable energy solutions, and educational programs for underprivileged children. Their work is a contemporary reminder that changemaking is not abstract; it is practical, compassionate, and accessible to anyone willing to take initiative.

A Call to the Next Generation
To be a changemaker is to embrace a life of purpose. It is to align vision with action, faith with courage, and intellect with empathy. The stories of Ibn al-Haytham, Fatima Al-Fihri, Dr. Hayat Sindi, and Dr. Tasneem Zehra Husain show us that knowledge and faith are powerful allies. The sacrifices of Abu Sayed, Naima, Julkar, Riya, Rifat, Rita, Mir Mugdho, and Saad Al Afnan remind us that courage and conviction are not abstract ideals, they are lived realities, often at the highest cost.

For you, the lesson is clear: the world does not wait for permission. Progress does not arrive from comfort or complacency. It arrives through those who are willing to envision a better future and work tirelessly, bravely, and ethically to make it real. Every small step, mentoring a peer, volunteering for a cause, developing an invention, or simply standing up against injustice is part of a larger chain of change that stretches from the medieval scholars to the youth martyrs of today.

Imagine, Innovate, Inspire
As you navigate your twenties, the age of exploration, ambition, and identity remember that the power to change the world resides not in titles or positions but in intention and action. Imagine solutions where others see problems. Innovate where others see limitations. Inspire where others see despair. The world needs your vision, your courage, and your faith, not someday, but now.

You are a blueprint for courage, creativity, and conviction. Let the lives of visionary Muslim scientists, the brilliance of faith-guided scholarship, and the ultimate sacrifices of the July Uprising youth ignite your imagination. Let them challenge you, humble you, and motivate you.
To be a changemaker is not merely to exist, it is to transform, to elevate, and to leave the world measurably better than you found it. The question now is not whether the world needs change, it always does. The question is whether you will answer its call.

Be inspired. Be courageous. Be a changemaker.