Whenever I hear people constantly criticizing, judging and condemning the younger generation, I am reminded of what is written in the Bible wherein Jesus had to rebuke his disciples due to their mishandling of the children. In the 19th Chapter of Matthew, verses 13 and 14 (NIV), it reads, “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””

I have never heard any leader speak about the divine value of the younger generation like the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. He said, “We not only have to teach our young people, but we have to give them a sense of their greatness. They are the greatest generation that we have ever produced. they are fearless. They are born warriors. They are not like their parents, or grandparents. They are very, very different… These are wonderful young people. They just need a chance and right guidance. 

That’s the premium today: Right guidance.” Every time I am blessed to go out into the community with my Nation of Islam brothers, especially the most violent areas, we never have a problem with young people listening.  ey are hungry for truth that speaks to the God within themselves and guidance from those who have their best interests at heart. When we ask them, “Have you discovered your purpose in life or the reason why you were born?” it makes them stop and think. We let them know that the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches, “Whatever you love to do and whatever you do best is more than likely what you are born to do. Just from those short yet impactful interactions, we have marveled at how many we have mentored over the years that have done and are doing extraordinary things in their personal lives, schools and neighborhoods.

We need young people all around us and at the forefront. They are not the problem. They are the answer. We’ll discuss that next issue, God willing. Let us unite. (Brother Qiyam is a member of  e Nation of Islam under the leadership of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. He attends Muhammad Mosque No. 45 in Houston, Texas)