Focus on the Positive

My name is Hasan, and I’m writing this to show my feelings about the video published by Our Better World on my story.

I can’t find the words to describe my feelings.

The video has opened people’s eyes on refugees in Malaysia. It has changed the concept that Syrians are terrorists.

I was called a terrorist by some locals for being a Syrian refugee. This is not true. Not all Syrians are terrorists. You can’t judge a whole community for the actions taken by a few.  You can’t judge a person based on his religion or his race or his country.

You can’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know me yet so don’t judge me.

What this video has done is to show a positive image of Syrian people in general and refugees in particular.

It showed that refugees can do something good for this world, and that refugees also have hopes and dreams just like other humans.

This video has also shown to people that when you receive help from someone, you need to pay it forward!

The video inspired me, especially when I read the comments of the public about the video. Most of them - maybe 95% - were positive. They all motivate me to do more good and help more people. I feel that there are a lot of people out there who support me, stand by my side and like the work I do.

This gives me the motivation to keep on doing the good work and to keep working for my dream to help rebuild Syria.

I did not focus on the negative comments. I know I’m doing well, so I don’t have to listen to the negative responses which might bring me down.  My parents are proud of me and the refugee children I am helping as a volunteer teacher are happy. These are the things that matter to me.

My advice to all young people out there is don’t waste your free time on playing and doing nothing. Do something for your community, do something for the world, leave a mark behind you so people will know that you were here and that you did something good.

I believe that young people are the new generation who will change the world to become a better place and spread love, peace and kindness.