.jpg)
The uproar over a mislabeled “ham and cheese sandwich” with an unregistered halal logo has sparked rightful concern about consumer rights and religious integrity.
However, as Professor Nahrizul Adib Kadri of Universiti Malaya aptly points out, the episode also reveals a troubling aspect of modern youth activism: the prioritisation of visibility over impact. https://newswav.com/A2501_O96voI?s=A_SzSt2hw&language=en
Today’s young activists wield immense potential, equipped with energy, passion, and technological reach. Yet, in the age of social media, activism often becomes performative, focusing on garnering likes rather than addressing root issues. https://newswav.com/A2501_O96voI?s=A_SzSt2hw&language=en
Outrage, amplified online, frequently overshadows thoughtful engagement, reducing critical matters to fleeting moments of moral posturing.
Take the halal sandwich controversy. While the initial outrage was justified, much of the subsequent response lacked depth and direction. Instead of fostering meaningful solutions or dialogue, many appeared more interested in public displays of indignation, leaving the core issue unresolved. https://newswav.com/A2501_O96voI?s=A_SzSt2hw&language=en
True activism demands more than noise. It requires introspection, research, and strategic collaboration. Before reacting, young people should ask themselves: Are my actions solving the problem, or am I seeking recognition? https://newswav.com/A2501_O96voI?s=A_SzSt2hw&language=en
Constructive engagement—such as working with established organizations or building coalitions—leads to more effective outcomes than reactionary social media campaigns.
History shows the power of well-directed youth movements. The Arab Spring and climate strikes succeeded because they combined passion with clear goals and sustained action. https://newswav.com/A2501_O96voI?s=A_SzSt2hw&language=en
In contrast, activism driven solely by visibility risks fizzling out, alienating allies, or creating divisions.
The lesson here is simple: outrage alone is not enough. As Professor Nahrizul highlights, activists must channel their emotions into thoughtful, purposeful action. Being seen is not the goal—creating lasting change is..https://newswav.com/A2501_O96voI?s=A_SzSt2hw&language=en
The halal sandwich controversy offers an opportunity for reflection.
If young activists focus on substance over spectacle, they can truly illuminate the path forward, ensuring their efforts are remembered not for their noise, but for their impact.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
