For all of us 19,20,21 , growing up and realising how fast time flies, how transient life is, we begin to value life a lot more. We see those slaughtered in Syria, in Yemen, in Iraq, Palestine. The non-muslims and non-muslims starving worldwide, the Ukraine conflict, those who die by gun violence, cancer, etc and how there is a sizeable number who do not make it to their 20th birthday, we begin to realise what a great gift life is.
Being a human being, an organism that is earth and sky apart from any living creature, with the ability to think, reflect, know your are thinking that you are thinking, with intelligence, morality, and so many facets, it is such a privilege but also an important responsibility.
It is key to leave this planet better than how we found it. As the youth our influence is going to shape what the world is like in 10-20-30 years. Our friends - muslim and non-muslim, or our associates or even mild acquaintances may be ministers and priministers. Cleo's, bankers, lawyers, nurses, doctors, mechanics, pharmacists, IT experts, and anyone who is working hard in their field in any career.
Unlike past generations, we have the internet. Multiculturalism and media is growing.
Therefore it is so important for every single muslim on here to know that we must represent our faith properly. We need to discuss and debate with atheists, christians, jews, hindu's bhuddists. Hold cordial and respectful dialogue, because if in 10-20-30 years we have people in charge of the world who have wrong views, propaganda indoctrinated into them, are not well acquainted and aware, there will only be more wars and bloodshed.
Infact, forget the people at the top, if we have the mass population unaware of truth, being fed propaganda , it will make this world dangerous.
So we must harness our strength in our youth, our nativity, our endurance, the internet and media, and multiculturalism and a world we can make so much of a difference in to help safeguard it for our descendants - muslims and non-muslims alike.
Additionally we see religion becoming less and less important, Islam growing while the others growing a lot less. Atheism on the rise, and atheism being one of the modern day challenges we need to remedy - through cordial debate and discussion. You have seen atheism on TSR in its finest, most skeptical and in its might.
Unless we begin to actively debate atheists, correct false views or interpretations, or distinguish different points of view i.e different schools of thought in Islam, they will only grow and it may get to a stage where it reaches a critical mass where it becomes difficult to 'vaccinate' against misconceptions as it becomes so widespread.
As youth, we need to understand education is power. At 20 your brain is still developing , and i believe parts of the frontal cortex will keep developing until you are about 25 - parts involved in decision making, contemplation, foresight etc. Learn - make a hobby of it, make learning something you seek and make it an addictive habit.
The world is no longer a place where books are hard to come by. You can learn anything now on youtube, though e-books.
And despite being young remember we are edging closer to our death. 19,20,21 years have passed.