The Youth have crucial Role to Play in Peace and Development”. This was the emphasis of Nasiri Abas’ presentation to the participants of the Bangsamoro Youth Leadership Training at Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan City on November 22, 2017.
The Youth have crucial Role to Play in Peace and Development”. This was the emphasis of Nasiri Abas’ presentation to the participants of the Bangsamoro Youth Leadership Training at Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan City on November 22, 2017.
In his lecture on The Role of Youth in Peace and Development, Mr. Abas discussed the different roles that the youth could play in the context of the Bangsamoro struggle. This included gathering their strength in support to the peace process, managing people’s frustration, managing vulnerability of youth in joining violent extremism, reaching out to peace spoilers and Christian communities, access to education and scholarship opportunities, and helping prepare the Bangsamoro.
The youth should be involved in the process because even though they are vulnerable they can be instrumental for change, Abas said. Young people are the hope of the Bangsamoro and they need to participate in the struggle because if not resolved, the problem of today will be passed on to the next generation, he added.
He also emphasized the importance of having a deep understanding of Islam for the youth to be empowered. He added that cultural understanding and relativism should also prevail over tribalism and regionalism and to continue being optimistic and persevere throughout the struggle.
Abas said that the youth also constitutes the majority of the population and they contribute more to the society than any other sector. They also serve as the man-power in nation-building and their united support during an election will ensure victory.
As part of his lecture, Abas asked the participants to enumerate the ways on how they can contribute to the Bangsamoro struggle. Enhancing their knowledge, preparation for the Bangsamoro through participation in learning activities, and advocacy through social media were the common answers of the participants.
The different Bansagmoro milestones gained were also presented by Mr. Abas. Programs, Activities, and Initiatives of various youth organizations anchored and in support to the peace process were also discussed to the participants by Mr. Abas to serve as examples of what they can do in the future.
He ended his lecture with a story of one of the sahabah, Musab Ibn Umayr which illustrated the characteristics of a young leader and several Islamic points for the youth.