Since my primary field of work has been the Middle East and the Islamic world for years, my workload tends to intensify especially during times of crisis. Between conferences, seminars, private consultation sessions, book analysis groups, live broadcasts, and interviews, days blend into nights naturally. During such periods, I find the opportunity to meet with people from various backgrounds in different cities where I often travel. In all these meetings and encounters, I've noticed a recurring theme: Particularly among the youth, there's a tendency to drift towards oceans of despair and pessimism. And there's no shortage of material for this drift. From personal uncertainties and goals to the disorder prevailing in the Islamic geography, there's a landscape where it can be said, "Wherever we reach, we're left empty-handed." Helplessness turns into despair, and despair brings along a weary sense of inaction.
While chatting with young friends, I notice that many are locked into or directed towards "wrong targets." Let me paint a vivid picture:
Hundreds of young people packed into a hall. A charismatic opinion leader on the microphone, passionately shouting lively slogans as if performing a stage show. "Youngsters!" he cries, "You'll all be Salahaddin to save Jerusalem! When Fatih conquered Istanbul, he was your age. You'll be Fatih!" As the list of personalities to become expands in this manner, the fervor in the hall rises. The already boiling young Muslims disperse after the "session" as Salahaddin, Fatih, future mothers of Fatih, etc., flooding the city streets. Motivation, check. Persuasion, check. Direction and target fixation, check.
Then... As time passes, the realities of life begin to emerge. Trying to be Salahaddin, Fatih, or any other historical figure, which could only occur once in 300-400 years under specific circumstances and through a single individual, leads to indescribable morale collapse and psychological breakdown in young people who fail to achieve this "goal."
Of course, the intention of those distributing motivation on stage is not malicious. When throwing such lofty targets, they're thinking, "Let's show them the farthest and greatest goal; even if one person achieves it, it's a win." But how do we compensate for shattered dreams, shattered minds, lost directions, and the despair entrenched in souls? How do we uplift the youth as the sparkle in their eyes dims against the harsh walls of reality? Can everyone become Salahaddin simultaneously? Is it easy to become Fatih? Will an entire roomful of young people strive to be Fatih, Salahaddin, etc.?
Facing me, many young people who have come to speak with me or have stumbled upon me express similar complaints: those who showed them "targets" are pointing them to places far beyond life and completely irrelevant to today's conditions. The end of the road leads to an emotional quagmire and a vicious cycle.
I offer the following example to all the young people I address or who happen to confide in me:
On July 4, 1187, the Islamic army at Hittin defeated the Crusaders and regained Jerusalem for Muslims with a force of about 40,000. The number of individuals we know by name from this army does not exceed 100. There were Salahaddin, his close associates, commanders, advisors, chroniclers, etc. But who else was there? There were those who cleared the roads ahead and built the bridges for the army to pass. There were those who peeled potatoes and chopped onions for the meals of so many people. There were those who erected tent poles, collected firewood, and lit fires. And most importantly, there were the farriers who nailed the horseshoes under the horses' feet. History never names all those who provide background support to victory. Is it possible, then, to claim that the work done by farriers is less important than Salahaddin's role, and even unnecessary?
So, here's how we'll look at it: Depending on where we stand, our abilities, and the conditions of the time, each of us will surely have a task to do. Without falling into the trap of despair, we'll keep the question "What is my duty?" on our agenda. Regardless of what slogans, heroic speeches, and fervent shouts say, we'll never forget that victory can only be achieved through long-term, rational, and feasible projects.
No other way out seems visible.
