Thomas Henry Huxley once said, “the known is finite, the unknown infinite; intellectually we stand on an islet in the midst of an illimitable ocean of inexplicability. Our business in every generation is to reclaim a little more land.” I believe innovation and exploration are key ways to widen our knowledge about the unknown or mysterious.

In a society driven by discovery and technology, many people are not entirely accepting of our new rapidly changing world. New concepts can sometimes create skepticism, and many members of religious communities, including my own Muslim community, approach them with caution in case they are in conflict with their belief systems and might deteriorate their own spiritual connections.

However, there is a form of excitement within the next generation for science and exploration. The youth within my community are curious about the world beyond the borders that confine them. Due largely to globalization, most younger people have abandoned the parochial, insular mindsets of some of our ancestors in exchange for a more broad-minded approach. Some kids have become more inquisitive about the world around them and the unknown aspects of our universe.

Parts of the Muslim community often forget that Islam, at its roots, is a religion that accepts innovation and new ideas. Back in history, eras in which colonies were under the rule of Islamic empires represented a golden age for knowledge. Islamic empires were very progressive and accepted new ideas from scholars and philosophers around the world. It was their worldview that, after Europeans were exposed to it during the Crusades, powered the Renaissance and started many forms of humanitarian thinking in Europe.

From generations of people discouraging new ideas to our new fast-paced, innovation-dependent society, it is safe to say that our world has changed significantly. Many people have come to realize that a religion should not limit our perspectives, but rather broaden them and help fuel our curiosity. Even with some hesitation and reluctance in accepting scientific discoveries, our generation acknowledges the importance of critical thinking. Slowly we have learned to lift the curtain of ignorance and let the light of the unknown flow through.