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N. Hassan: Address to Interreligious Leadership Conference 2017
Written by Ms. Nadia Hassan, Executive Director, Young Leaders Institute, USA
Monday, November 13, 2017
Address to Interreligious Leadership Conference 2017
Seoul, Korea, November 10 to 14, 2017
Thank you to UPF for not telling me that I would be speaking, because I would have lost sleep over what I could possibly say of any significance in front of this group of the most amazing people that the world has to offer.
This is my first time attending a conference like this and the one thought that keeps going through my head is “what did I do in my life to deserve to be among such a distinguished, honorable group of brothers and sisters.” The only thing that I can think of is that I have love in my heart for all of humanity.
I love humans a little too much. This weekend, I gained a new family, a global family. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would have a home to visit in so many different countries around the world. I thank you for your love and kinship. As your sister, when you go back home to your respective countries, I’d like to ask you to pray for me and to pray for each other, that our hearts remain connected, and that He empowers us and enables us to serve humanity and to do righteous work that is pleasing to Him.
About two years ago, I had a dream, a vision, that one day our youth would be the world’s greatest innovators and that they would be leading a progressive social change movement across the globe. A movement in which compassion, humility and equality would be the driving forces behind young people.
I imagined a world where sustainability and social accountability were at the forefront of youth consciousness. I imagined one billion youth rising to take ownership of their global responsibility to protect our planet and to honor and uplift humanity. So I started the Young Leaders Institute in hopes of reaching one billion youth rising to change our world for the better. Now that I have all of you as my “global family,” and with your help, I know that I can achieve this dream.
In closing, I’d like to leave you with the two Islamic prophetic teachings that changed my life:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“None of you will believe or have true faith until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.”
And the second prophetic tradition is
“‘None of you will enter Paradise, until you believe, and none of you will believe, until you love one another.’
And they asked, ‘How should we love each other?’
‘Spread peace between you.’”
I never met Rev. and Mrs. Moon, but judging from the caliber of this gathering, not only did they embody these prophetic teachings, but they spread them to all of you and throughout the world.
To go to the Interreligious Leadership Conference Schedule 2017, click here.