Text Box:  Summary of Speech of the Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir A. Azim (atba) Sunday 09 October 2011 @ 16.00 (Terre Rouge) After greeting everybody with the Salutation of Peace in Islam, the Messenger of Allah (atba) read the Tashahhud, Taouz, and then said: Youth is a very important step in the life of man. It is a stage where his intelligence is strengthened and where he is in a better position to understand practical life through reflection and analysis. If in his youth a person does not acquire a good formation, then he will waste his youth in vain and bad things, and this will put him in a dangerous situation for his life will take a wrong turn (direction). But if in his prime youth the person prepares himself to follow the commandments of the Almighty and does the required preparation to take up his own responsibilities as they should be taken, it is then that he will be able to convert a dead nation into an alive one, through his good conduct and his enthusiasm to work – and this dedication of his become a model for others to follow. History has and will make mention of those youths who have and will serve humanity as a whole, for these youths understand their roles in life and they do everything in their power to improve the future of their nation by their good conduct, their courage and devotion in (religious and material) work – in all phases of their lives. They get also the faculty to control their mind, and direct it away from all violence and banditry (because in tender age, a lot of children have the tendency to amuse themselves or follow what others do, especially if they commit wrongs). Thus, history shows us that nothing is gained without sacrifice, for the spirit of sacrifice is found in man himself (it is in his innate character) and this character takes form through a basic training. Once the youth is well trained and has been embellished by high qualities of the body and mind, he shall sacrifice all, even his very own life, to attain his objectives of prosperity and stability for his country. When this happens, the young person in question becomes worth of being called a youth. A youth is really the architect of national structure. Thus, it is important that when this youth does a work, he does it with discipline, sacrifice, vigour, patience and especially he should know how to accomplish his work – he has the proper knowledge of it. Do you know how is a house which has been built in concrete called? Another one built with wood? Do you know another word to call them except being called a concrete or wooden house? So, how will you call a national structure which has been built on ignorance, lies, and dishonesty? Thus, all these depend on the materials which you furnish to its construction! The fact that it is not easy, to attain a status like this; the youth needs a good training. At the beginning itself, he must develop a physical vigour and waste not stupidly his time in vain pleasures (such as cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, dancing, gambling – like lotteries, betting on horses etc. – spend the night in clubs, discos etc.) These evils are what are ruining the youths of this modern and worldly society. Through globalisation, now the world as a whole is in the fist of man if I may say so, whereby communication is available with such facility that he is able to communicate with people in other countries within seconds. Therefore, as we see, the more the world “progress”, the more people “regress” and the more evils increase, ruining the new generation, making manifest a new type of man, such a man who is ignorant of the true values of religion, of the true meaning of spirituality and attachment to Almighty God. After having been victims to drugs, amusement, all sorts of vices; now people, especially the youths are being encouraged to get themselves drowned in immorality, such as, the legalisation of prostitution and sodomy and also, they are being encouraged to become players of lotto games and all sorts of gambling. A lot of youths are falling prey to playing (and obtaining) illicit monies. Moreover be it Mauritius or Rodrigues or the countries of the world, all these countries are filled with crime, robbery, rape, suicide, drug, alcoholic drinks which have become a common routine happening. People are drinking all sorts of rum, beer, wine and so on which are fogging completely their minds, turning them away completely from morality and decency. Life is becoming more and more difficult and struggling, with the prices of all commodities rising up in a flash (Verily the Almighty gave me several revelations in the past and recently gave me more revelations pertaining to the economic crisis of the world, whereby life will become difficult to live). And verily now, a small island as Rodrigues also is not being spared from this crisis, whereby the cost of living is becoming very high, and all sort of afflictions, such as a penury of water is being witnessed (like in Mauritius). But as I can see here, even the sea water has receded and left the shore like a desert. O people, especially the youths who are here in great number today, take my advice, an advice which God willing shall see to your progress in life, be it spiritually and mundanely also. Attach yourself with the worship of God Almighty, one God in Whose hands our life, honour, food, drink and shelter are found. Become attached to God like the pious and beloved Prophets Abraham and Jesus were. These people were prophets of God, and they invited towards the unity of God, not towards them. Be brave, and courageous enough to stop the worship of that which is false and be courageous to uphold truth with the advent of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh). People very lamely and lazily prefer to uphold men of God as God and readily say that they have reached God. But does gripping firmly the indication board of “Port-Mathurin” (the capital of Rodrigues) when being still in “Plaine Corail” means that you have reached Port-Mathurin? Therefore get a grip on your own frame of mind and thoughts. This means that whenever a man of God comes, one must never grip firmly that man of God and say that he is God! Instead of indulging in Music and amusement, bear in mind your responsibilities which you have towards God and love Him so much that His light penetrates you and Rodrigues as a whole be enlightened with the divine light. Wherever there are pious and beloved people of God, God protects that place, unless, and God knows best, the people of the land have exceeded all limits and forgotten Him. There is the example of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, whereby Allah saved His chosen people and sent punishment on the wretched people. Therefore the true and sincere youth is the one who is dedicated in his work, he must be a person whom others can trust. He must have a great spirit of sacrifice, and must be pious. He must avoid telling lies. All these are essential in the formation of good character, without which the future structure will be menaced. With all the necessary qualities, this youth will be like a solid construction (like a concrete construction) who will be a model for others to follow. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “You will not succeed in your duties, despite the riches which you possess, but you will succeed in your duties through the good qualities which you possess.” When you succeed in inculcating these good qualities, these good values in you and also, when you direct other youths, other people to inculcate in themselves the same good qualities, then we can have great hope for the national collective interest and the interest of the individual also. It is in this spirit which one can change the destiny of a nation. Time is limited, but I thank you for your presence and attention. Before ending, please join me in a silent prayer, and afterwards there shall be refreshment for one and all. May God Almighty be with all of you. Ameen.