everyone so very good okay is it on can you guys hear me all right
is it on can you guys hear me all right
is it on can you guys hear me all right so do you guys remember when we were
so do you guys remember when we were
so do you guys remember when we were kids and we used to ask questions why is
kids and we used to ask questions why is
kids and we used to ask questions why is the sky blue where do babies come from
the sky blue where do babies come from
the sky blue where do babies come from what are cooties we agitate it for
what are cooties we agitate it for
what are cooties we agitate it for answers begged on our parents coats
answers begged on our parents coats
answers begged on our parents coats Havas our friends and never seemed to
Havas our friends and never seemed to
Havas our friends and never seemed to not have a question up our sleeve but
not have a question up our sleeve but
not have a question up our sleeve but somewhere along the line we lost that
somewhere along the line we lost that
somewhere along the line we lost that enthusiasm when we were little parents
enthusiasm when we were little parents
enthusiasm when we were little parents would come up to us pinch our cheeks hug
would come up to us pinch our cheeks hug
would come up to us pinch our cheeks hug us and encourage that curiosity it was
us and encourage that curiosity it was
us and encourage that curiosity it was endearing it was how we learned but we
endearing it was how we learned but we
endearing it was how we learned but we got lazy me included some at some point
got lazy me included some at some point
got lazy me included some at some point it became inconvenient embarrassing
it became inconvenient embarrassing
it became inconvenient embarrassing unnecessary we were asked enough hard
unnecessary we were asked enough hard
unnecessary we were asked enough hard questions in class but is that really
questions in class but is that really
questions in class but is that really the case I thought a lot about that
the case I thought a lot about that
the case I thought a lot about that about hard questions about the
about hard questions about the
about hard questions about the importance of asking now because if it
importance of asking now because if it
importance of asking now because if it is indeed how we learn how we grow why
is indeed how we learn how we grow why
is indeed how we learn how we grow why then stop so I started asking now I
then stop so I started asking now I
then stop so I started asking now I stand before you today as an activist as
stand before you today as an activist as
stand before you today as an activist as an advocate not because I was born with
an advocate not because I was born with
an advocate not because I was born with some sort of predispositioned knowledge
some sort of predispositioned knowledge
some sort of predispositioned knowledge and purpose and that I was meant to be
and purpose and that I was meant to be
and purpose and that I was meant to be this way and I had all the recourses of
this way and I had all the recourses of
this way and I had all the recourses of resources to be this way but because
resources to be this way but because
resources to be this way but because I chose a title for myself I embraced
I chose a title for myself I embraced
I chose a title for myself I embraced the lifestyle and what it entailed and I
the lifestyle and what it entailed and I
the lifestyle and what it entailed and I ran with it I really had no idea I was
ran with it I really had no idea I was
ran with it I really had no idea I was doing when I started but I grew into the
doing when I started but I grew into the
doing when I started but I grew into the role by asking hard questions and I
role by asking hard questions and I
role by asking hard questions and I started a lot of the questions that we
started a lot of the questions that we
started a lot of the questions that we asked ourselves in our head why am I
asked ourselves in our head why am I
asked ourselves in our head why am I here
here
here do I belong Who am I going to become who
do I belong Who am I going to become who
do I belong Who am I going to become who do I want to be but I also started
do I want to be but I also started
do I want to be but I also started asking a lot of other questions harder
asking a lot of other questions harder
asking a lot of other questions harder questions like why do I wear boys
questions like why do I wear boys
questions like why do I wear boys clothes where did that come from who
clothes where did that come from who
clothes where did that come from who taught me that like how does religion
taught me that like how does religion
taught me that like how does religion influence my identity if at all
influence my identity if at all
influence my identity if at all should it and why do I believe anything
should it and why do I believe anything
should it and why do I believe anything at all these were questions I still
at all these were questions I still
at all these were questions I still don’t have the answers to but I started
don’t have the answers to but I started
don’t have the answers to but I started asking and they define my development my
asking and they define my development my
asking and they define my development my childhood and my future and the way that
childhood and my future and the way that
childhood and my future and the way that they’ve done so is to my story my story
they’ve done so is to my story my story
they’ve done so is to my story my story of hard questions of change and
of hard questions of change and
of hard questions of change and hopefully a frog routes so to give you
hopefully a frog routes so to give you
hopefully a frog routes so to give you some context I stated in the intro I’m a
some context I stated in the intro I’m a
some context I stated in the intro I’m a 17 year old American Muslim Bangladeshi
17 year old American Muslim Bangladeshi
17 year old American Muslim Bangladeshi living in Princeton New Jersey born and
living in Princeton New Jersey born and
living in Princeton New Jersey born and raised and I’m here today here today to
raised and I’m here today here today to
raised and I’m here today here today to you to talk about hard questions in
you to talk about hard questions in
you to talk about hard questions in Moscow so how did I get here right where
Moscow so how did I get here right where
Moscow so how did I get here right where did I come from Who am I I came from a
did I come from Who am I I came from a
did I come from Who am I I came from a place that might be familiar to a lot of
place that might be familiar to a lot of
place that might be familiar to a lot of you suburbia from the white picket
you suburbia from the white picket
you suburbia from the white picket fences of Princeton New Jersey that’s
fences of Princeton New Jersey that’s
fences of Princeton New Jersey that’s where I grew up but my lifestyle and my
where I grew up but my lifestyle and my
where I grew up but my lifestyle and my life were not defined by white picket
life were not defined by white picket
life were not defined by white picket fences I grew up in a fairly
fences I grew up in a fairly
fences I grew up in a fairly conservative American Muslim household
conservative American Muslim household
conservative American Muslim household but I also grew up attending an all-boys
but I also grew up attending an all-boys
but I also grew up attending an all-boys Catholic school and that juxtaposed
Catholic school and that juxtaposed
Catholic school and that juxtaposed reality really informed a lot of the
reality really informed a lot of the
reality really informed a lot of the ways that I identified and how I
ways that I identified and how I
ways that I identified and how I interfaced with my identity and I
interfaced with my identity and I
interfaced with my identity and I learned to become comfortable with my
learned to become comfortable with my
learned to become comfortable with my American Muslim
American Muslim
American Muslim was my identity as a student with
was my identity as a student with
was my identity as a student with speaking up for myself and through
speaking up for myself and through
speaking up for myself and through understanding others but more than that
understanding others but more than that
understanding others but more than that I also had to ask myself questions and
I also had to ask myself questions and
I also had to ask myself questions and had to answer a lot of questions at an
had to answer a lot of questions at an
had to answer a lot of questions at an all-boys Catholic school a lot of people
all-boys Catholic school a lot of people
all-boys Catholic school a lot of people have a lot of questions about Islam and
have a lot of questions about Islam and
have a lot of questions about Islam and I had to be prepared to answer them and
I had to be prepared to answer them and
I had to be prepared to answer them and then all-boys Catholic school I had to
then all-boys Catholic school I had to
then all-boys Catholic school I had to have a lot of questions and I answer a
have a lot of questions and I answer a
have a lot of questions and I answer a lot of questions of my own morality and
lot of questions of my own morality and
lot of questions of my own morality and about faith and about justice but more
about faith and about justice but more
about faith and about justice but more than that will really define my child in
than that will really define my child in
than that will really define my child in my development was my heart was my home
my development was my heart was my home
my development was my heart was my home my household there were 12 kids in my
my household there were 12 kids in my
my household there were 12 kids in my grade at Princeton Academy 12 and a lot
grade at Princeton Academy 12 and a lot
grade at Princeton Academy 12 and a lot of parents chose to send their kids to
of parents chose to send their kids to
of parents chose to send their kids to that school because it was sheltered
that school because it was sheltered
that school because it was sheltered they could afford to shelter their kids
they could afford to shelter their kids
they could afford to shelter their kids in an environment where there wouldn’t
in an environment where there wouldn’t
in an environment where there wouldn’t be a lot of outside influences where
be a lot of outside influences where
be a lot of outside influences where they could control what their kids were
they could control what their kids were
they could control what their kids were exposed to my parents were not all like
exposed to my parents were not all like
exposed to my parents were not all like that my parents and grandparents
that my parents and grandparents
that my parents and grandparents mandated that I watched the news it was
mandated that I watched the news it was
mandated that I watched the news it was so important to them that I be an
so important to them that I be an
so important to them that I be an informed citizen that I understood the
informed citizen that I understood the
informed citizen that I understood the realities around me and that I knew that
realities around me and that I knew that
realities around me and that I knew that the bubble of my life in Princeton was
the bubble of my life in Princeton was
the bubble of my life in Princeton was not even close to remotely
not even close to remotely
not even close to remotely representative of the world and that was
representative of the world and that was
representative of the world and that was really exemplified and furthered in
really exemplified and furthered in
really exemplified and furthered in second grade in a turning point in my
second grade in a turning point in my
second grade in a turning point in my life and second grade I went back to
life and second grade I went back to
life and second grade I went back to Bangladesh for the first time over
Bangladesh for the first time over
Bangladesh for the first time over Christmas break and I’m on Christmas
Christmas break and I’m on Christmas
Christmas break and I’m on Christmas break now so this was ten years ago
break now so this was ten years ago
break now so this was ten years ago and 10 years ago I left the airport in
and 10 years ago I left the airport in
and 10 years ago I left the airport in Bangladesh and driving home to my
Bangladesh and driving home to my
Bangladesh and driving home to my grandparents house I vividly remember
grandparents house I vividly remember
grandparents house I vividly remember being in the car and beggars knocking on
being in the car and beggars knocking on
being in the car and beggars knocking on the windows with no eyeballs and I was
the windows with no eyeballs and I was
the windows with no eyeballs and I was horrified I started bawling and bawling
horrified I started bawling and bawling
horrified I started bawling and bawling and bawling and I asked myself how is
and bawling and I asked myself how is
and bawling and I asked myself how is this fair what did they do to deserve
this fair what did they do to deserve
this fair what did they do to deserve this who is letting this happen and I
this who is letting this happen and I
this who is letting this happen and I asked those hard questions as a kid like
asked those hard questions as a kid like
asked those hard questions as a kid like I said we all did but no one really had
I said we all did but no one really had
I said we all did but no one really had to go to answer
to go to answer
to go to answer my siblings not my parents not my
my siblings not my parents not my
my siblings not my parents not my grandparents but then again is there
grandparents but then again is there
grandparents but then again is there ever a justifiable answer to injustice
ever a justifiable answer to injustice
ever a justifiable answer to injustice but I took those questions about home
but I took those questions about home
but I took those questions about home with me to Princeton Academy and I began
with me to Princeton Academy and I began
with me to Princeton Academy and I began talking about injustice to my classmates
talking about injustice to my classmates
talking about injustice to my classmates but they didn’t really seem to care they
but they didn’t really seem to care they
but they didn’t really seem to care they thought it wasn’t our problem where it
thought it wasn’t our problem where it
thought it wasn’t our problem where it was for later or it didn’t affect us so
was for later or it didn’t affect us so
was for later or it didn’t affect us so like I said I began to get a little lazy
like I said I began to get a little lazy
like I said I began to get a little lazy complicit even but again my life changed
complicit even but again my life changed
complicit even but again my life changed in seventh grade I switched from
in seventh grade I switched from
in seventh grade I switched from Princeton Academy to Princeton day
Princeton Academy to Princeton day
Princeton Academy to Princeton day school where I tend now and it was a
school where I tend now and it was a
school where I tend now and it was a co-ed secular school and it was there
co-ed secular school and it was there
co-ed secular school and it was there that it became aware of rigid gender
that it became aware of rigid gender
that it became aware of rigid gender norms the first time a Princeton Academy
norms the first time a Princeton Academy
norms the first time a Princeton Academy there wasn’t this idea of boys things
there wasn’t this idea of boys things
there wasn’t this idea of boys things and girls things whether you did theatre
and girls things whether you did theatre
and girls things whether you did theatre or played sports they were all boys
or played sports they were all boys
or played sports they were all boys things there were only boys in the class
things there were only boys in the class
things there were only boys in the class but suddenly at Princeton day school
but suddenly at Princeton day school
but suddenly at Princeton day school there was an expectation that because I
there was an expectation that because I
there was an expectation that because I was a boy I should talk about girls and
was a boy I should talk about girls and
was a boy I should talk about girls and sports girls and sports girls in sports
sports girls and sports girls in sports
sports girls and sports girls in sports and I wasn’t down I grew up in at that
and I wasn’t down I grew up in at that
and I wasn’t down I grew up in at that all-boys school and I grew up in a
all-boys school and I grew up in a
all-boys school and I grew up in a household of all girls my parents were
household of all girls my parents were
household of all girls my parents were separated in divorce when I was in third
separated in divorce when I was in third
separated in divorce when I was in third grade and fifth grade and if my sisters
grade and fifth grade and if my sisters
grade and fifth grade and if my sisters are playing Barbies hells yeah so was I
are playing Barbies hells yeah so was I
are playing Barbies hells yeah so was I and if at school kids play theater and
and if at school kids play theater and
and if at school kids play theater and sports
sports
sports hells yeah so was I so suddenly at
hells yeah so was I so suddenly at
hells yeah so was I so suddenly at Princeton day school when people
Princeton day school when people
Princeton day school when people expected me to fit into this dichotomy I
expected me to fit into this dichotomy I
expected me to fit into this dichotomy I became aware of a lot of things that I
became aware of a lot of things that I
became aware of a lot of things that I was somehow other are different because
was somehow other are different because
was somehow other are different because I didn’t conform to a dichotomy and I
I didn’t conform to a dichotomy and I
I didn’t conform to a dichotomy and I wasn’t the only one that so many people
wasn’t the only one that so many people
wasn’t the only one that so many people were being inhibited because of whose
were being inhibited because of whose
were being inhibited because of whose society told them to be because of these
society told them to be because of these
society told them to be because of these norms these standards that are unfair
norms these standards that are unfair
norms these standards that are unfair and baseless and I realized that it
and baseless and I realized that it
and baseless and I realized that it wasn’t happening out of malice no one
wasn’t happening out of malice no one
wasn’t happening out of malice no one was saying to somebody else we don’t
was saying to somebody else we don’t
was saying to somebody else we don’t like you because your acts right we’re
like you because your acts right we’re
like you because your acts right we’re not gonna play with you because you’re
not gonna play with you because you’re
not gonna play with you because you’re blah no one says that not a Princeton
blah no one says that not a Princeton
blah no one says that not a Princeton New Jersey anyway right but
New Jersey anyway right but
New Jersey anyway right but what was happening was that when people
what was happening was that when people
what was happening was that when people didn’t understand something didn’t
didn’t understand something didn’t
didn’t understand something didn’t understand somebody their background
understand somebody their background
understand somebody their background where they came from they didn’t make an
where they came from they didn’t make an
where they came from they didn’t make an effort so that person felt other and
effort so that person felt other and
effort so that person felt other and marginalized ostracized or if you were
marginalized ostracized or if you were
marginalized ostracized or if you were marginalized ostracized or other you
marginalized ostracized or other you
marginalized ostracized or other you felt you had to conform or change to fit
felt you had to conform or change to fit
felt you had to conform or change to fit in and I saw this and a rising climate
in and I saw this and a rising climate
in and I saw this and a rising climate of so much injustice against so many
of so much injustice against so many
of so much injustice against so many types of people and I asked myself why
types of people and I asked myself why
types of people and I asked myself why is this happening and what can I do
is this happening and what can I do
is this happening and what can I do about it because like I said it when I
about it because like I said it when I
about it because like I said it when I went to Bangladesh I came home and I
went to Bangladesh I came home and I
went to Bangladesh I came home and I asked why are they there and why am I
asked why are they there and why am I
asked why are they there and why am I here and again I asked myself how is
here and again I asked myself how is
here and again I asked myself how is this fair how can we level the playing
this fair how can we level the playing
this fair how can we level the playing fields so I let these thoughts ruminate
fields so I let these thoughts ruminate
fields so I let these thoughts ruminate and I asked those questions and at the
and I asked those questions and at the
and I asked those questions and at the end of eighth grade I found a redefine
end of eighth grade I found a redefine
end of eighth grade I found a redefine with the idea that we have to ask these
with the idea that we have to ask these
with the idea that we have to ask these questions because the reason that people
questions because the reason that people
questions because the reason that people are being excluded ostracized belittled
are being excluded ostracized belittled
are being excluded ostracized belittled made to feel other is not because people
made to feel other is not because people
made to feel other is not because people are mean not because people are evil but
are mean not because people are evil but
are mean not because people are evil but because people don’t understand and how
because people don’t understand and how
because people don’t understand and how do we understand we understand what
do we understand we understand what
do we understand we understand what cooties are when we ask our parents
cooties are when we ask our parents
cooties are when we ask our parents right we understand what things are when
right we understand what things are when
right we understand what things are when we ask so we have to ask questions and
we ask so we have to ask questions and
we ask so we have to ask questions and try to answer them that’s how we learn
try to answer them that’s how we learn
try to answer them that’s how we learn that’s how he progressed that’s how we
that’s how he progressed that’s how we
that’s how he progressed that’s how we make change so I founded an organization
make change so I founded an organization
make change so I founded an organization to do just that I founded redefine in
to do just that I founded redefine in
to do just that I founded redefine in eighth grade with the mission of defying
eighth grade with the mission of defying
eighth grade with the mission of defying stereotypes redefining breakfast
stereotypes redefining breakfast
stereotypes redefining breakfast positively embracing acceptance of
positively embracing acceptance of
positively embracing acceptance of Tolerance and creating an active
Tolerance and creating an active
Tolerance and creating an active community and I could not rest you
community and I could not rest you
community and I could not rest you enough how little I knew what I was
enough how little I knew what I was
enough how little I knew what I was doing I had no idea what I was doing
doing I had no idea what I was doing
doing I had no idea what I was doing literally no idea but I knew that these
literally no idea but I knew that these
literally no idea but I knew that these questions had to be answered
questions had to be answered
questions had to be answered well at least tried to be answered
well at least tried to be answered
well at least tried to be answered because so many people were being the
because so many people were being the
because so many people were being the question should have been why are you
question should have been why are you
question should have been why are you the way that you are right why are you
the way that you are right why are you
the way that you are right why are you different explain to me where your
different explain to me where your
different explain to me where your background is or how you come from but
background is or how you come from but
background is or how you come from but instead people were just saying you are
instead people were just saying you are
instead people were just saying you are different right in other end so I wanted
different right in other end so I wanted
different right in other end so I wanted to create a platform where we could have
to create a platform where we could have
to create a platform where we could have dialogue and share stories about these
dialogue and share stories about these
dialogue and share stories about these questions right share each other stories
questions right share each other stories
questions right share each other stories you guys really
you guys really
you guys really is so hard to hate somebody you know and
is so hard to hate somebody you know and
is so hard to hate somebody you know and why is it hard to hate somebody you know
why is it hard to hate somebody you know
why is it hard to hate somebody you know because you ask questions if you try to
because you ask questions if you try to
because you ask questions if you try to understand people you can’t hate them
understand people you can’t hate them
understand people you can’t hate them you know their story you know their
you know their story you know their
you know their story you know their contact you know where they’re coming
contact you know where they’re coming
contact you know where they’re coming from
from
from so I created a platform to empower those
so I created a platform to empower those
so I created a platform to empower those stories to emboldened them to share them
stories to emboldened them to share them
stories to emboldened them to share them because we start with the empathy
because we start with the empathy
because we start with the empathy there’s so much there’s so much ground
there’s so much there’s so much ground
there’s so much there’s so much ground that we can work on to create progress
that we can work on to create progress
that we can work on to create progress and to create change and to promote
and to create change and to promote
and to create change and to promote justice so I did that and I reached and
justice so I did that and I reached and
justice so I did that and I reached and I created a website I created social
I created a website I created social
I created a website I created social media handles and I went for it
media handles and I went for it
media handles and I went for it I had no qualifications no business
I had no qualifications no business
I had no qualifications no business doing this but I did it and soon after I
doing this but I did it and soon after I
doing this but I did it and soon after I was confronted with a lot of hard
was confronted with a lot of hard
was confronted with a lot of hard questions
questions
questions I started organization to promote that
I started organization to promote that
I started organization to promote that and I started getting questions do you
and I started getting questions do you
and I started getting questions do you guys remember asked if M some of you
guys remember asked if M some of you
guys remember asked if M some of you might and on ask fm I was getting a lot
might and on ask fm I was getting a lot
might and on ask fm I was getting a lot of hard questions right who are you to
of hard questions right who are you to
of hard questions right who are you to start this why are you starting this how
start this why are you starting this how
start this why are you starting this how can I get involved and I became over but
can I get involved and I became over but
can I get involved and I became over but overwhelmed with how many people wanted
overwhelmed with how many people wanted
overwhelmed with how many people wanted to get involved and the haters right
to get involved and the haters right
to get involved and the haters right those who said who are you to do this
those who said who are you to do this
those who said who are you to do this why are you doing this how is it’s your
why are you doing this how is it’s your
why are you doing this how is it’s your place but I became bettered by both of
place but I became bettered by both of
place but I became bettered by both of them you can sue their supporters i
them you can sue their supporters i
them you can sue their supporters i restructured and innovated my
restructured and innovated my
restructured and innovated my organization to allow people to engage
organization to allow people to engage
organization to allow people to engage with it and through the haters i
with it and through the haters i
with it and through the haters i introspectively looked at myself and
introspectively looked at myself and
introspectively looked at myself and decided who I wanted to become to embody
decided who I wanted to become to embody
decided who I wanted to become to embody the values that I was preaching about
the values that I was preaching about
the values that I was preaching about and I became better by asking those hard
and I became better by asking those hard
and I became better by asking those hard questions and trying to answer them and
questions and trying to answer them and
questions and trying to answer them and by being asked questions and I’m not
by being asked questions and I’m not
by being asked questions and I’m not here today to talk about my commerce
here today to talk about my commerce
here today to talk about my commerce with the organization you heard a little
with the organization you heard a little
with the organization you heard a little bit about in the intro but yeah you’ve
bit about in the intro but yeah you’ve
bit about in the intro but yeah you’ve had enormous success we started with
had enormous success we started with
had enormous success we started with myself and four other of my friends and
myself and four other of my friends and
myself and four other of my friends and we’re now a team of over 300 we have
we’re now a team of over 300 we have
we’re now a team of over 300 we have team members and chapters from places
team members and chapters from places
team members and chapters from places all around the world like Panama India
all around the world like Panama India
all around the world like Panama India Jordan etc we’ve been in PBS CCTV MTV
Jordan etc we’ve been in PBS CCTV MTV
Jordan etc we’ve been in PBS CCTV MTV etc I’ve had the chance to dine at
etc I’ve had the chance to dine at
etc I’ve had the chance to dine at President Obama to meet Hillary Clinton
President Obama to meet Hillary Clinton
President Obama to meet Hillary Clinton and to be on the forefront of what it
and to be on the forefront of what it
and to be on the forefront of what it looks like to be a youth activist but
looks like to be a youth activist but
looks like to be a youth activist but that’s
that’s
that’s cuz lastly heart questions and so many
cuz lastly heart questions and so many
cuz lastly heart questions and so many people willing to work ask those
people willing to work ask those
people willing to work ask those questions with me and I’ve been to the
questions with me and I’ve been to the
questions with me and I’ve been to the White House three times and when I go to
White House three times and when I go to
White House three times and when I go to those meetings I see that those
those meetings I see that those
those meetings I see that those roundtables and I engaged with
roundtables and I engaged with
roundtables and I engaged with journalist and I engage with high and
journalist and I engage with high and
journalist and I engage with high and high level industry professionals I
high level industry professionals I
high level industry professionals I realize how often I’m the only young
realize how often I’m the only young
realize how often I’m the only young person in the room I’m the only Muslim
person in the room I’m the only Muslim
person in the room I’m the only Muslim in the room and I ask hard questions
in the room and I ask hard questions
in the room and I ask hard questions because when you’re not at the table
because when you’re not at the table
because when you’re not at the table people assume one of two things they
people assume one of two things they
people assume one of two things they assume you don’t want to be there or
assume you don’t want to be there or
assume you don’t want to be there or they can speak for you neither of which
they can speak for you neither of which
they can speak for you neither of which are ever okay so when I’m at that table
are ever okay so when I’m at that table
are ever okay so when I’m at that table I make the most of it because let me be
I make the most of it because let me be
I make the most of it because let me be very frank with all of you we have to
very frank with all of you we have to
very frank with all of you we have to cut the we get to these tables
cut the we get to these tables
cut the we get to these tables right we would be give me so much time
right we would be give me so much time
right we would be give me so much time and energy we waste so much time and
and energy we waste so much time and
and energy we waste so much time and energy with a small talk pivoting
energy with a small talk pivoting
energy with a small talk pivoting adjusting to get to that moment we ask
adjusting to get to that moment we ask
adjusting to get to that moment we ask the hard question we pop the question we
the hard question we pop the question we
the hard question we pop the question we do not have time to waste when so many
do not have time to waste when so many
do not have time to waste when so many are suffering so when I get to these
are suffering so when I get to these
are suffering so when I get to these rooms I ask people why am I the only
rooms I ask people why am I the only
rooms I ask people why am I the only young person here why am I the only
young person here why am I the only
young person here why am I the only Muslim care what does that say about
Muslim care what does that say about
Muslim care what does that say about their worth that you’re assigning to my
their worth that you’re assigning to my
their worth that you’re assigning to my existence I come prepared with questions
existence I come prepared with questions
existence I come prepared with questions that provoke people to action because
that provoke people to action because
that provoke people to action because otherwise what am I doing with that see
otherwise what am I doing with that see
otherwise what am I doing with that see the more than that I look around and I
the more than that I look around and I
the more than that I look around and I think of ways that I can empower more
think of ways that I can empower more
think of ways that I can empower more people to sit at that table with me and
people to sit at that table with me and
people to sit at that table with me and I’ve done that because I realize I’ve
I’ve done that because I realize I’ve
I’ve done that because I realize I’ve sat in these places right and I looked
sat in these places right and I looked
sat in these places right and I looked around there’s no one there’s no one
around there’s no one there’s no one
around there’s no one there’s no one else under 30 in the room and I’m 17 and
else under 30 in the room and I’m 17 and
else under 30 in the room and I’m 17 and I think to myself I’m not some sort of
I think to myself I’m not some sort of
I think to myself I’m not some sort of exceptional outstanding like so much
exceptional outstanding like so much
exceptional outstanding like so much smaller than buddy else I’m actually the
smaller than buddy else I’m actually the
smaller than buddy else I’m actually the only seventeen year old here you guys
only seventeen year old here you guys
only seventeen year old here you guys have great ideas you guys know your
have great ideas you guys know your
have great ideas you guys know your stuff you active your tables too right
stuff you active your tables too right
stuff you active your tables too right so I found it a youth consulting firm
so I found it a youth consulting firm
so I found it a youth consulting firm Juve consulting last year because it is
Juve consulting last year because it is
Juve consulting last year because it is ridiculous to me did I go around and I
ridiculous to me did I go around and I
ridiculous to me did I go around and I meet youth experts 30 year olds 40 year
meet youth experts 30 year olds 40 year
meet youth experts 30 year olds 40 year olds tip year olds white guys sitting
olds tip year olds white guys sitting
olds tip year olds white guys sitting around a table
around a table
around a table we still like the word round and you see
we still like the word round and you see
we still like the word round and you see those cringy advertisement that they
those cringy advertisement that they
those cringy advertisement that they made to be tailored to us that are just
made to be tailored to us that are just
made to be tailored to us that are just horrible and why why are there teen
horrible and why why are there teen
horrible and why why are there teen experts when teens exist in the
experts when teens exist in the
experts when teens exist in the three-dimensional world where we can
three-dimensional world where we can
three-dimensional world where we can advocate and speak for ourselves so now
advocate and speak for ourselves so now
advocate and speak for ourselves so now we do just that we profit off of our own
we do just that we profit off of our own
we do just that we profit off of our own narrative and hopefully company’s
narrative and hopefully company’s
narrative and hopefully company’s campaigns nonprofits profit more by
campaigns nonprofits profit more by
campaigns nonprofits profit more by engaging with us because who knows us
engaging with us because who knows us
engaging with us because who knows us better than ourselves and again I’ve
better than ourselves and again I’ve
better than ourselves and again I’ve been extremely fortunate we’ve built an
been extremely fortunate we’ve built an
been extremely fortunate we’ve built an amazing team we have over 10 clients we
amazing team we have over 10 clients we
amazing team we have over 10 clients we were in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine
were in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine
were in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine last week and I’m really fortunate or
last week and I’m really fortunate or
last week and I’m really fortunate or how hard far we come and I’m really
how hard far we come and I’m really
how hard far we come and I’m really fortunate to be in a position where I’m
fortunate to be in a position where I’m
fortunate to be in a position where I’m asking hard questions about what a
asking hard questions about what a
asking hard questions about what a generation see what are you what are we
generation see what are you what are we
generation see what are you what are we can I speak unilaterally for generation
can I speak unilaterally for generation
can I speak unilaterally for generation no absolutely not
no absolutely not
no absolutely not but I’m asking these questions and
but I’m asking these questions and
but I’m asking these questions and moreover I’m getting asked hard
moreover I’m getting asked hard
moreover I’m getting asked hard questions what do you even know who are
questions what do you even know who are
questions what do you even know who are you to do this but I think innovate and
you to do this but I think innovate and
you to do this but I think innovate and I engage with diverse individuals all
I engage with diverse individuals all
I engage with diverse individuals all across the world like you guys because I
across the world like you guys because I
across the world like you guys because I recognize the potential that we can have
recognize the potential that we can have
recognize the potential that we can have when we come together and make use of
when we come together and make use of
when we come together and make use of our voice that brings me to my next
our voice that brings me to my next
our voice that brings me to my next question
question
question what can we do with our voice because to
what can we do with our voice because to
what can we do with our voice because to me that’s my strongest asset and
me that’s my strongest asset and
me that’s my strongest asset and hopefully many of yours because we all
hopefully many of yours because we all
hopefully many of yours because we all have a store we all have that fire in
have a store we all have that fire in
have a store we all have that fire in our stomach that gets us going how do we
our stomach that gets us going how do we
our stomach that gets us going how do we tap into it I was not the person you see
tap into it I was not the person you see
tap into it I was not the person you see before you today when I was a freshman
before you today when I was a freshman
before you today when I was a freshman again I grew into this role by asking
again I grew into this role by asking
again I grew into this role by asking hard questions and seeking answers so
hard questions and seeking answers so
hard questions and seeking answers so when I think about what is my voice I
when I think about what is my voice I
when I think about what is my voice I created the Muslim Club I blog for the
created the Muslim Club I blog for the
created the Muslim Club I blog for the Huffington Post I created platforms that
Huffington Post I created platforms that
Huffington Post I created platforms that allow me to engage with my mission to
allow me to engage with my mission to
allow me to engage with my mission to engage with my narrative and share it
engage with my narrative and share it
engage with my narrative and share it more than not I think about ways that I
more than not I think about ways that I
more than not I think about ways that I can utilize my voice to engage in
can utilize my voice to engage in
can utilize my voice to engage in diverse and innovative areas like moral
diverse and innovative areas like moral
diverse and innovative areas like moral um I’m sure many of you guys do it and
um I’m sure many of you guys do it and
um I’m sure many of you guys do it and have you guys ever been in committees in
have you guys ever been in committees in
have you guys ever been in committees in Model UN but the end the chair says I
Model UN but the end the chair says I
Model UN but the end the chair says I wish that the world leaders were like
wish that the world leaders were like
wish that the world leaders were like you guys the change makers were like you
you guys the change makers were like you
you guys the change makers were like you guys
guys
guys I’m sure some of you had to heard that
I’m sure some of you had to heard that
I’m sure some of you had to heard that right and I always think to myself well
right and I always think to myself well
right and I always think to myself well then why aren’t we why aren’t we those
then why aren’t we why aren’t we those
then why aren’t we why aren’t we those changemakers
changemakers
changemakers I just gave a TEDx talk last year in
I just gave a TEDx talk last year in
I just gave a TEDx talk last year in Panama entitled our age does not limit
Panama entitled our age does not limit
Panama entitled our age does not limit our activism because the idea that our
our activism because the idea that our
our activism because the idea that our activism or efficacy is for later is
activism or efficacy is for later is
activism or efficacy is for later is ludicrous at best so I think about why
ludicrous at best so I think about why
ludicrous at best so I think about why those ideas that we have in Model UN we
those ideas that we have in Model UN we
those ideas that we have in Model UN we can influence them in a real way which
can influence them in a real way which
can influence them in a real way which brings me to my next question how can we
brings me to my next question how can we
brings me to my next question how can we influence so I thought about those ideas
influence so I thought about those ideas
influence so I thought about those ideas I have all these great ideas and I have
I have all these great ideas and I have
I have all these great ideas and I have a lot of friends and a lot of amazing
a lot of friends and a lot of amazing
a lot of friends and a lot of amazing team members who have these great ideas
team members who have these great ideas
team members who have these great ideas how do we advance them how do we
how do we advance them how do we
how do we advance them how do we influence with them so I’ve interned for
influence with them so I’ve interned for
influence with them so I’ve interned for the US Department of State I’ve worked
the US Department of State I’ve worked
the US Department of State I’ve worked at presidential campaigns I’ve endured
at presidential campaigns I’ve endured
at presidential campaigns I’ve endured for my congresswoman I’ve influenced
for my congresswoman I’ve influenced
for my congresswoman I’ve influenced policy these we can take those ideas we
policy these we can take those ideas we
policy these we can take those ideas we can take those dreams that we all have
can take those dreams that we all have
can take those dreams that we all have that fired our stomach and we can push
that fired our stomach and we can push
that fired our stomach and we can push it forward on real global and national
it forward on real global and national
it forward on real global and national and local levels we all have the
and local levels we all have the
and local levels we all have the capacity to do that I’m not special I
capacity to do that I’m not special I
capacity to do that I’m not special I asked questions and I’ve sought answers
asked questions and I’ve sought answers
asked questions and I’ve sought answers there’s still so many questions I don’t
there’s still so many questions I don’t
there’s still so many questions I don’t have answers to whatever overcome my own
have answers to whatever overcome my own
have answers to whatever overcome my own implicit bias will I ever be prejudice
implicit bias will I ever be prejudice
implicit bias will I ever be prejudice free Who am I
free Who am I
free Who am I what does tomorrow look like and today
what does tomorrow look like and today
what does tomorrow look like and today that is sometimes so bleak I might even
that is sometimes so bleak I might even
that is sometimes so bleak I might even write about anything there are so many
write about anything there are so many
write about anything there are so many questions that I’ll never have the
questions that I’ll never have the
questions that I’ll never have the answers to but I stand before you today
answers to but I stand before you today
answers to but I stand before you today to implore you guys to ask hard
to implore you guys to ask hard
to implore you guys to ask hard questions because I believe that when we
questions because I believe that when we
questions because I believe that when we seek answers we find progress when we
seek answers we find progress when we
seek answers we find progress when we look and act when we look for solutions
look and act when we look for solutions
look and act when we look for solutions right when we look at the world and what
right when we look at the world and what
right when we look at the world and what I want you guys to do is look at the
I want you guys to do is look at the
I want you guys to do is look at the world look around this room right now
world look around this room right now
world look around this room right now right look around think about this world
right look around think about this world
right look around think about this world and think of one thing that you’d like
and think of one thing that you’d like
and think of one thing that you’d like to change right one problem it can be as
to change right one problem it can be as
to change right one problem it can be as micro as macro as you’d like one problem
micro as macro as you’d like one problem
micro as macro as you’d like one problem something wrong with the world but
something wrong with the world but
something wrong with the world but whatever comes to mind first and ask a
whatever comes to mind first and ask a
whatever comes to mind first and ask a question about it how can I change it
question about it how can I change it
question about it how can I change it why does it exist
why does it exist
why does it exist ask the hard question about it and think
ask the hard question about it and think
ask the hard question about it and think of one way you can be engaged or look
of one way you can be engaged or look
of one way you can be engaged or look for a solution or answer to that problem
for a solution or answer to that problem
for a solution or answer to that problem because I believe I believe from the
because I believe I believe from the
because I believe I believe from the bottom of my heart that if everyone our
bottom of my heart that if everyone our
bottom of my heart that if everyone our generation the next generation
generation the next generation
generation the next generation Generation Z whatever you want to call
Generation Z whatever you want to call
Generation Z whatever you want to call us the plurals ask these hard questions
us the plurals ask these hard questions
us the plurals ask these hard questions looks for solutions
looks for solutions
looks for solutions tomorrow is bright because when we ask
tomorrow is bright because when we ask
tomorrow is bright because when we ask questions when we look for answers we
questions when we look for answers we
questions when we look for answers we might I believe that we’ll all discover
might I believe that we’ll all discover
might I believe that we’ll all discover something something beautiful
something something beautiful
something something beautiful we might even discover ourselves thank
we might even discover ourselves thank
we might even discover ourselves thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment