By: Jannat Zaanoun of Monroe Township, NJ
1st place in ICNA CSJ-NJ’s BHM Essay Contest 2025
Topic: Racial Injustice and the responsibility of the youth (Grades 11 & 12)
The echoes of millions fill the city of Mecca as worshippers circle the Kaaba. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, come together every year dressed in a simple white cloth to fulfill their pilgrimage. Although every person is different in the way they look, speak, and live, in the eyes of Allah (swt) all people are created equal. Yet, halfway across the globe is a different story. A white officer blindly shoots a black man in the name of “safety”. A thousand miles from there, a father and his son are harassed in public for wearing the keffiyeh. This is America today. The duty to combat such racial injustice falls upon every believer, but it is the young generation, with their gift of youthfulness who have the greatest power to drive change. Through education, organization, and mobility, we can help combat the racial injustice that is all too common in today’s world.
The first step towards this is educating ourselves and those around us. After all, the first word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was none other than Iqra’. This command emphasizes knowledge as one of the core values of Islam. By seeking out the stories of authors from marginalized communities, attending seminars, and understanding the perspectives of our people and those around us, we can begin to dismantle the ignorance that often underlies discrimination. Historical lessons, such as the struggle of abolitionists against slavery and segregation in America, demonstrate how this awareness can fuel resistance against systemic oppression. Unburdened by many of the troubles of adulthood, the youth of today have the time and resources to take conscious steps towards learning about and challenging prejudice wherever it arises.
Beyond personal enlightenment, organized effort is vital. The Quran states, “Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause in ˹solid˺ ranks as if they were one concrete structure” (61:4), underscoring the power of unity. The civil rights movement in America, led by figures like Malcolm X, achieved monumental progress not through isolated efforts, but through collective action. Youth, especially, have always been at the forefront of such movements. Organizations such as the NAACP Youth Council and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee were pivotal in staging protests and boycotts that challenged racial injustice. Today, Muslim youth can build this legacy by forming local advocacy groups, hosting interfaith and cultural dialogues, and utilizing community centers and mosques as platforms for social activism.
However, education and organization cannot stand alone; taking action is necessary to institute real change. In today’ s digital era, Muslim youth possess unprecedented tools to mobilize change. Whether through social media campaigns, peaceful protests, or engagement in local governance, taking action can be as easy as pressing a button. Each act of participation, no matter how small, contributes to dismantling racism and fostering a society rooted in justice and equality.
Islam teaches us that all human beings are equal in the sight of Allah (swt). As Muslims living in such a divisive country, it is our job to speak up and fight for what is right. In a hadith, the Prophet (saw) instructs, “Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.” By educating ourselves, organizing collectively, and mobilizing to confront injustice, we honor our duty as Muslims. The time to act is now, for if we do not stand up against racial injustice, who will?