The year 2020 has proved to be a year to remember. There are many things that will be remembered with sorrow, but sadness does not need to define the year. The events of 2020 have unmasked the harsh realities of inequality and divisions festering under band-aid policies. With these fresh and open wounds lies the opportunity to change our response so that we can properly begin to heal.
To be young in 2020 is powerful because we are witnesses to the drastic changes that can happen in a short amount of time – good and bad. We have learned that our actions and inactions have an immense impact which is augmented when we unite with others. Today we look up to our youth, such as: Marley Diaz, Greta Thunberg, Shamma bint Suhail Faris Mazrui and Malala Yousafzai who have all lost patience hearing excuses of complacency and have started to act.
Rumi, who is not so young but who’s advice has proved immortal is quoted saying:
“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
In this context, it is a call to our world’s youth, who can often feel small as they battle to find their voice amidst issues that seem larger than life. Rumi Forum is dedicated to listening to these rising voices, which is why we are planning a virtual event for International Human Rights Day on December 11th, 2020. This bi-weekly blog will serve as one of our mediums for sparking discussions around various topics of human rights and disseminating updates for the main event.
Human right is a topic with many components and nuances. Because of this, we will be having an essay contest that is meant for creative expression and big ideas for the future. The essay prompt and details will be in our next blog on September 11th, so please stay tuned.
With the end of 2020 coming near, we are excited to stand by our world’s youth as we #Rise4Rights today and every day moving forward.