The Unwritten Rules of Survival in the Modern Workplace page

By: Abdur Roqib Akinyemi

Every year, International Youth Day is a moment to reflect on the role of young people in shaping our world. For 2025, the theme “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships” highlights how young people can build peace, drive development, and create stronger communities using innovation and teamwork.

Young people make up over 1.2 billion of the world’s population (UN, 2024). They are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders today. In schools, startups, community centres, and even rural areas, youths use digital tools to solve problems, share knowledge, and connect across borders.

Islam places great value on youth and their potential. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was only 25 when he took up leadership in trade and community service. Many of his closest companions, like Hazrat Ali (ra) and Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (ra), were in their youth when they were entrusted with great responsibilities.

In relation to the youth’s contribution to society, Islam emphasises cooperation and mutual support:

….وَتَعَاوَنُوۡا عَلَی الۡبِرِّ وَالتَّقۡوٰ

“And help one another in righteousness and piety…” (Qur’an 5:3)

Multilateralism, working together across groups and nations is in the spirit of Islamic unity. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

مَثَلُ المؤمنينَ في توادِّهم وتراحُمِهم وتعاطُفِهم مَثَلُ الجسدِ إذا اشتكى منه عضوٌ تداعى له سائرُ الجسدِ بالسهرِ والحُمَّى

“The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of a single body; if one part of the body suffers, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6011)

This shows that Islam teaches us to work together, support each other, and care for all humanity. This powerful teaching emphasises the spiritual and social principle of unity, empathy, and collective responsibility. It reminds us that when one part of society suffers, the rest must feel the pain and respond with care and action.

Youth are often seen as the most vibrant and dynamic part of society, the heartbeat of the global community. Just like how the heart pumps life to every organ of the body, young people today have the energy and creativity to bring hope and change through innovation. In a world increasingly connected by technology, youth are using digital tools and partnerships to address challenges such as climate change, poverty, education, and inequality. This global interconnectedness reflects the spirit of the Hadith: when one community is in pain, whether in Palestine, Sudan, or anywhere else, youth from across the world must rise to respond, driven by compassion and a shared sense of duty.

Technology has given young people the ability to:

Communicate globally through social media and messaging apps.
Create solutions to community problems, such as apps for education, health, or agriculture.
Share knowledge through online platforms, open-source tools, and virtual classrooms.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth-led tech projects helped communities stay informed, access health services, and maintain learning. This shows how innovation, when used wisely, becomes a tool for cooperation and service.

Technology, in this context, acts like the nervous system of the body. It helps young people detect pain points in society, whether it’s through social media awareness, mobile health apps, or real-time humanitarian responses. Digital platforms allow youth to collaborate across borders and engage in multilateral action. For example, a youth-led startup in Nigeria can partner with developers in Indonesia to create a mobile platform for refugee education.

No one can solve global challenges alone. Climate change, unemployment, digital inequality; these require partnerships. Youth organizations, faith groups, governments, and international bodies must work together.

Islam teaches the value of partnership (musharakah) in business and community service. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered trade partnerships based on trust and fairness; values that can guide modern multilateral efforts.

Partnership plays a critical role too. Just as muscles work together to move the body, meaningful collaborations among youth organizations, governments, and international institutions are essential for making real progress. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) himself demonstrated this model by forming just alliances like Hilf al-Fudul (League of the Virtuous – was a pre-Islamic pact formed in Mecca to protect the oppressed and uphold justice) to protect the weak and promote justice. In modern times, youth must carry forward this legacy by working together across racial, national, and religious lines to bring solutions where they are most needed.

The advice for the youth:

Use technology for peace: Avoid spreading hate or misinformation. Promote truth, kindness, and helpful content.
Collaborate across cultures: Connect with youth from other countries, learn about their challenges, and work together.
Start community projects: Whether it’s a recycling drive, a coding club, or a mental health helpline, every small effort matters.
Volunteer with global causes: Support humanitarian, environmental, or educational missions, even virtually.

Conclusion

In a world increasingly shaped by technology and global interdependence, the youth stand at the center of change. With their energy, creativity, and deep sense of justice, young people have the tools and the responsibility to drive cooperation across borders, cultures, and communities. Islam not only encourages but commands such unity, compassion, and collective action, as seen in the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the noble example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

By using technology wisely and building strong partnerships rooted in trust, fairness, and empathy, youth can become the healing force of our time, responding to injustice, building peace, and fostering development. Just as believers are called to act like a single body when one part is in pain, today’s youth must rise together, bound by faith and humanity, to solve the global challenges we face.

Let this generation be remembered not only as the most connected, but also as the most committed to service, to justice, and to building a better world for all.

Let us rise to this call, by acting together, thinking globally, and leading with purpose.

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