New Delhi: Calling Generation Z “the future of the Islamic movement and the nation’s greatest asset,” Khan Mubashsharah Firdous, National Assistant Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, urged parents, educators, community leaders and Islamic organisations to stop blaming young people for the challenges they face and instead rebuild the social and moral ecosystem that once nurtured them.
Addressing a session on “Gen Z and the strategy for movement workers”, Firdous said the younger generation, born between 1997 and 2012, has grown up entirely in the digital era. Their learning patterns, identity, relationship with authority and understanding of religion differ from previous generations. “Our generation is the future of the Islamic movement and the asset of our nation,” she said, while stressing that these differences should be understood instead of condemned. She described the identity crisis among today’s youth as the outcome of a collapsing social order rather than a failure of the young themselves.
“If we have lost the system, we must create a new one,” she said, adding that families, neighbourhoods, schools and community elders once worked together in shaping children’s values. Today, parents have transferred much of this responsibility to educational institutions while communities have withdrawn from active engagement with children.
Firdous observed that Gen Z seeks an independent identity and often rejects labels imposed by family or society. At the same time, she said, many young people struggle with identity, purpose and belonging because digital platforms, cartoons, web series and social media continuously shape their worldview. She argued that unrestricted digital exposure has encouraged individualism while weakening the family structure and community bonds that previously offered guidance. Rather than criticising technology alone, she urged adults to understand the language, culture and emotional world of today’s youth.
Drawing extensively from the Seerah, Firdous said the Prophet Muhammad , peace be upon him, recognised the strengths of young companions and entrusted them with responsibilities according to their abilities. Usama bin Zaid was appointed commander of an army at eighteen years of age, while Muadh bin Jabal was entrusted with judicial responsibilities because the Prophet (pbuh) recognised his intellectual ability. She said parents should identify children’s natural talents instead of forcing every child into identical educational and career paths.
“If a child possesses creative ability and we suppress it in the name of building a career, the child begins searching for an escape,” she said, warning that such neglect often leads to frustration, confusion and destructive behaviour. Firdous strongly criticised the culture of harsh criticism within homes, schools and society. She said body shaming, bullying, negative labelling and constant judgement permanently damage children’s confidence. “Positive statements change personalities.”
Recalling examples from the Prophet’s life, she said encouraging words often transformed young companions, while modern society has normalised criticism. “Teachers, elders and even parents are passing judgement every day. Psychology considers this a crime because children lose acceptance and self confidence.” She appealed to parents and teachers to replace condemnation with encouragement and meaningful conversations. “Adolescents need somebody who understands them before trying to correct them,” she said.
Firdous proposed structured mentoring systems for Muslim youth through sports clubs, arts and cultural forums, counselling circles, peer groups and personality development platforms. She referred to initiatives in Kerala and international Muslim organisations where structured mentoring and counselling have helped students deal with identity issues, bullying and emotional stress. She also urged Jamaat workers to engage children long before they reach adulthood, develop age specific programmes and create spaces where young people feel accepted. “Every child belongs to society. Every child is our child,” she said, stressing that responsibility extends beyond one’s own family.
She also warned against treating struggling youth as criminals or moral failures. Referring to the famous incident of a young man who sought permission from the Prophet to commit zina, Firdous said the Prophet responded with compassion, dialogue and prayer instead of humiliation. “Our approach should never be shouting or condemnation,” she said. “Understand their crises and the solution will emerge. Do not become self appointed judges over them.”
Concluding her address, Firdous urged Muslim families and organisations to rebuild the nurturing environment that previous generations enjoyed. She called for patience, empathy and structured mentorship rooted in Islamic values so that Generation Z develops into confident believers and responsible contributors to society.
