My dear sisters and distinguished guests, the identity crisis affecting many of our Muslim youth is one of the most pressing issues affecting this Ummah. And as with any crisis, addressing it effectively and with urgency is imperative. It is imperative for it will determine the success of our children and ourselves in this life and the next. And it is imperative for it is integral to the success of the future of this Ummah and the status of our Deen in this world.

We must realize that massive liberalization has been pursued by the Western countries against the Muslim children and youth in Indonesia. The West has been designing global strategies and various programs to win the hearts, minds, and allegiances of the Muslim youth, to be faithful to the idea of secular, liberal values, the Western way of life and its system. Unfortunately, these programs are facilitated by the government and are currently underway.

States, organisations and human societies have long been concerned with the youth – this is true today and will continue to be so. This is due to what accompanies this stage in terms of physical and mental development, whichmakes this age group the most prepared and open to activeness, vitality, creativity, excellence, leadership, zeal, endurance, generosity, sacrifice and progress amongst other beautiful qualities.

The culture of any people represents the backbone of their existence and their survival. Upon this culture, its civilisation is built, its goals and objectives are defined, the pattern of their life is distinguished and by it, their individuals are melted into a single melting pot so that they are distinguished through that from the rest of the nations and peoples.