A tribute to the power of bravery

The memory of July 1st will remain one of darkness, a haunting memory of the night we lost Faraaz.

July 1st will also continue to be a remembrance of Faraaz's lionhearted sacrifice, a sacrifice of immeasurable courage and an unbreakable bond of friendship. On that night of horror, 21 other people, including Abinta, Ishrat, Tarishi, two police officials, nine Italians and seven Japanese, were killed. Every of these deaths bears unbearable pain.

The very night that engulfed our lives with unimaginable grief; yet also the night of Faraaz's ultimate sacrifice, a display of his deeply rooted values that have since continued to fill our hearts with unceasing pride.

I have witnessed with amazement, the honours bestowed upon Faraaz both from home and abroad, the admiration from those who never knew him and above all, the love he has received from Bangladesh and beyond from hearts he has touched across the world. Faraaz has made me question what it truly means to make a difference in our world, and I find the answer by recognising the tremendous legacy he has left behind.

A legacy with the spirit of staying true to one's values, the desire to do right by those you love and the spirit of unstoppable fearlessness. A legacy that has been an example to the world of a true Bangladeshi.

I, as a Bangladeshi youth, look at my brother Faraaz as an inspiration to make a difference so that I too can leave a positive impact on my country and the world.

I reach out to the youth of Bangladesh, I urge you to continue on a path of righteousness and tackle every hurdle life presents with exceptional bravery. Let us forever remain united in our fight against extremism and continue to express with our words, our actions and with our hearts that terrorism has no place in Bangladesh. Let us continue to stand in solidarity regardless of the boundaries of race and religion.

Let Faraaz be an example that inspires us to continue reaching for what seems impossible, a light that guides us to greater heights and our example of what it means to be invincible.

As for the future of our country, let us continue pursuing our dreams leaving behind our own legacies, legacies that will inspire generations. Legacies that will continue take Bangladesh forward.

Let July 1st be the day the world remembers a young hero, a day each and every year when we remember the light of a valiant sacrifice that shone through the suffocating darkness. Let this day be a tribute to the power of Faraaz's act of bravery.