You co-founded Youth Without Borders back in 2007 and are now the organisation’s president, chairperson and only remaining founding member. What special memories can you share from the past seven years?
Some of the best moments have come through the Spark Engineering Camp. When the students for the first camp walked through the door, I realised, ‘Wow. This is real. These kids are in our care now, and it is our responsibility to make sure this experience is life changing.’ Fortunately, it was. I got a message a few years later from one who told me that our camp was the turning point in his life, and he’d entered worlds of achievement he had never even realised were within his reach. That sort of change is inspiring. Also, the first video we saw of Kamar Buku, the mobile library we catalysed in Depok, Indonesia. It was our first project, and to see it actually in action was beyond belief. It legitimised the efforts we were making and proved to us that we had to continue changing the world around us for the better, because we could!

You were just 16 when you launched the organisation – what advantages and disadvantages did your age bring?
I thought I could do everything and anything! The bullish optimism of youth meant that I didn’t think about it too much. But as far as disadvantages, I had no idea what I was doing and what legal obligations I had. Fortunately, we got it sorted before we got into any trouble … We also had no appreciation for finances – thinking we could work off the fumes of good intentions didn’t last long.

What were you like as a child; have you always harboured such passion and drive?
My mum said to me once, ‘I’m glad you found Youth Without Borders, because you had too much energy! If your energy hadn’t gone into that, I don’t know in which direction it would have gone …’ I was definitely really enthusiastic at whatever I put my mind to, whether that was becoming a knitter or a small business owner at the age of 9!

You moved to Australia from Sudan at the age of two, what do you think life would have been like if your family had remained in Africa?
Massively, insanely different. I’d have much fewer opportunities to have a voice and impact in the world, and quite probably be married by now! That being said, I’d also probably have a much closer family network, and be a much better cook … so Sudan isn’t all bad. But I certainly wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today and am constantly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here.

You’ll be speaking at TEDxSouthBank this Saturday, what tales will you be sharing with the audience?
I’ll be sharing a little bit about how we can each contribute individually to increasing the levels of diversity in our workforce and in decision-making places! I’ll also be sharing a story or two from where I work, which is perhaps a bit unexpected …

Which other speakers on the line-up are you particularly excited to hear from?
I’m always excited to see Jane Caro. Liam Casey sounds interesting and I’m also keen to see Tenda McFly. With a name like McFly, he’s definitely going to be awesome!

You were named the Young Australian Muslim of the Year in 2007. If you could convey a message or correct a misconception about what it means to be Muslim, what would it be?
That it means any just one thing. There are over a billion Muslims, and so I think it is a major misconception that we all have the same opinions, attitudes, even the same beliefs. There is incredible diversity within the Muslim communities, and that should be respected. Also, it doesn’t oppress women.

What can we individually do to work around unconscious bias?
Mentor someone different – from the other end of your spectrum, to open doors to those who wouldn’t usually get a chance to.

You’ve obviously ticked off a great deal of accomplishments at a very young age. What are you personally most proud of?
Being able to throw tongs on a rig. Designing my race car. Being everything that society says I shouldn’t. The young Muslim girls who tell me that they didn’t think they could do something, but the work of Youth Without Borders and what I do has shown them they can, regardless of where they were born or what they wear.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt about life since you’ve become an adult?
You never have all the answers, and there is always more than one way of seeing an issue. Unless you’re an engineer – then you’ve got to have things add up! Also, the older I get, the greyer things become …

What makes you happy?
Laughing at terrible jokes. Laughing all the time. Making new friends and seeing their way of the world. Learning new things and experiencing something new and different – I’m an experience junkie! Making a difference, and realising you can, is powerful. Showing others that they can make a difference. Tasty, plentiful food. Beating my personal bests … Singing, loudly and out of tune.

What do you believe is worth fighting for?
Equality of opportunity, regardless of race, gender and age. Justice. Having a voice, and a choice.

Only a Brisbane local would know that … Sunnybank is where you get the best Asian food, and Moorooka the best Sudanese.

What’s your personal definition of success?
Getting into heaven!