From Cradle to Progress

Empowering Youth Through Knowledge and Faith

Someone once said, “Life is what happens when you keep your mobile phone on charge.” At first, it seems humorous, but it becomes profound when you consider our addiction to screens and the undisciplined, mindless scrolling that often consumes our time. The youth are often seen as being obsessed with the latest social media trends; however, their interests go beyond just fashion and lifestyle; many young people are visionaries who refuse to accept outdated norms and are passionate about driving changes for the betterment of the world.

As we celebrate International Youth Day 2024 with its current theme of “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, the role of technology in an increasingly digital world in shaping our future cannot be overlooked. The theme speaks volumes about the crucial role that digital technology plays in empowering young people to drive sustainable developments and positive changes in not just their communities but across countries.

From engaging in political or human rights activism to stirring movements of solidarity through online campaigns, storytelling, or even questioning people of power during conferences, these young advocates have turned clicks into meaningful progress, driving changes both locally and on a global scale.  Be it raising awareness about climate change, inequalities or harmful policies, our societies are driven by positive change through the efforts of youth. Even the ongoing Olympic games are a testament to the physical and mental prowess of the youth that have the potential to be utilised while building a brighter, more inclusive future.

While receiving an honorary doctorate in 1998, the famous revolutionary activist and a global symbol of justice and reconciliation, Nelson Mandela remarked, "the future belongs to our youth. As some of us near the end of our political careers, younger people must take over. They must seek and cherish the most basic condition for peace, namely unity in our diversity, and find lasting ways to that goal."
We find the observation similar to the importance of nurturing and guiding the younger generation by believing in their potential, reflecting in the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that emphasise the value of youth and their pivotal role in the society. 

The pursuit of knowledge and standing up for what is right has always been one of the most valued principles of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) placed much emphasis on the youth’s role in seeking and spreading knowledge. His words, "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” (Muslim) highlights the importance of embracing education and striving towards continuous growth from an incredibly early age till the last breath. This ensures that we gradually evolve to do justice to our title of being Allah’s (SWT) ‘supreme creations’ and offer betterment to society through our intellectual conducts.

Besides acquiring education and continuous learning, the Prophet (ﷺ) also insisted on upholding the torch of justice to illuminate the world out of the darkness of ignorance and oppression. He illustrated the responsibility of the youth to stand against injustice, advocating for the rights of the marginalised and oppressed in society by nurturing young companions like Ali Ibn Abu Talib who represented him on various occasions. Our Prophet’s (ﷺ) relationship with the youth was not just one of the mentorships but also of partnership in the mission of bringing positive change to the world. 

Since we at Penny Appeal derive our inspiration from the Mercy to All Creations Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and strive to address the glaring needs of the society and contribute meaningfully, we have launched much-needed Youth Club at our Wakefield campus. We aim to provide a safe space and supportive platform for young people (aged 11-16 years) to ensure they acquire life skills that are essential for their personal and professional development, providing them with wings to soar high.

We have relentlessly strived to empower young people through our orphan sponsorship programs by providing long-term opportunities and a better chance to help them bring their families out of poverty. Another initiative is the Feed Our World program that provides sustainable food, health and nutrition solutions beneficial to not just young people, but to entire families and communities.
In the spirit of World Youth Day 2024, it is important to remember that the youth are not just leaders of tomorrow but also leaders of today. Let us pledge to support and uplift our youth, guiding them with the wisdom of our faith and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By doing so, we are contributing to building a future that is not only bright but also deeply rooted in the principles of justice, compassion, and knowledge.

Together, we can empower the youth to become the change-makers the world needs! To know more about Penny Appeal’s efforts to support and uplift the youth, please have a look at our UK At Home Initiatives here.