As human beings, we are all equal. Some may be wealthy while others have less or even nothing, but this is merely a test from God. Those who have more should never look down on those who are less privileged.

The people who collect our garbage, clean our homes and keep our streets tidy are not ordinary. They are often referred to as “golden hands” because they sacrifice their own comfort and well-being to maintain the beauty of this world.

You might be a doctor, lawyer, engineer or anything else, but that does not make a cleaner’s profession any less important. Every job has its own responsibilities and value. Cleaners fulfil their duty with dignity, often showing respect towards others even when they receive none in return.

Nowadays, if even for one day our maids or household helpers take leave, our mothers become worried, and that’s just one person missing. Now imagine a world without any cleaners and garbage collectors. It would quickly become unrecognisable, dirty and unpleasant. No one would want to step outside.

In a world where people are judged by what they have rather than who they are, it is easy to forget a simple truth: no work is small and no human being is less deserving of respect

We should be truly thankful to the people who clean our surroundings. But if you pause for a moment and reflect honestly, you will realise how poorly we often treat them.

And how do we repay them? Too often, we shout at them for the smallest mistake or treat them rudely, simply because they are poor.

Everyone makes mistakes, but when these workers make even the smallest error, they are shouted at and treated harshly. Why? Because people know these individuals are helpless, that they work out of necessity and will quietly endure the mistreatment. But the silence of the oppressed does not go unheard, the Almighty responds in His own time to the injustice they suffer.

One of the biggest problems in our society today is that when a poor person cries and asks for help, we often assume they are pretending. Yet when we watch fictional dramas on television and see someone crying, we become emotional and moved. These workers are human beings too but, unfortunately, many people fail to recognise their humanity. They are burdened with excessive work, treated more like machines than people.

Some people even give their domestic workers leftover or spoilt food, or torn clothes they themselves would never wear. But why do we forget that they are human too? They have the same emotions, the same dignity and the same right to be treated with respect.

The moment you disrespect someone simply because they are poor or because of the nature of their work, you forget your own humanity.

People are pursuing higher education, but what is the value of such education if it does not teach respect? In that case, an illiterate person who knows how to show respect is better than someone with degrees, but no humility.

Two things truly reflect a person’s character: their patience when they have nothing and their behaviour when they have everything. Based on this, we can all take a moment to judge the kind of person we truly are.

Even wild animals are, in some ways, better than us, as they remember kindness and recognise injustice. We, on the other hand, often forget the sacrifices made by those who serve us silently. Despite being called the noblest of creatures, we disrespect those who give up so much to keep our world clean and beautiful.

We all remember the devastating earthquake that struck Balakot on October 8, 2005. It destroyed everything — lives were lost, homes were levelled and property vanished in an instant. This tragedy is a reminder of how fragile life and material things are. So what is the point of being arrogant about wealth or possessions, and belittling others? Yet, many still fail to understand this.

Have we ever stopped to think how it would feel if we were in their place? What if we were the ones being ignored, humiliated or fed what others would not touch?

We should be grateful to God for the blessings we have. But instead of showing gratitude, many of us anger Him by treating His creation as inferior. Oppressing the poor may seem like a small act to some, but when a poor person cries in pain, even if they do nothing in return, God listens.

So reflect. Change. Start today.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 11th, 2026

Have you ever made a mistake that made you feel extremely guilty? But more than that, you learnt from it and promised yourself to be more careful next time?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I have definitely experienced this. Here is what happened.

One Saturday, a few minutes before Maghrib prayers, my dad asked me to sit in the office while he went to the mosque. He gave me instructions to answer phone calls and tell callers to ring back after 15 minutes. I agreed.

As soon as he left, the phone rang. My hands felt clammy, I had never answered calls this professionally. What if I messed up? What if someone misbehaved? I kept worrying.

Well, it did not happen that way. The man was pretty sweet. It boosted my confidence. Around five minutes after that, I answered another call, quite confidently. The man on the other end said that he was speaking from the department responsible for shipping orders, and he asked for the office Gmail.

I wasn’t really paying attention because I was busy playing a game. Without thinking much, I gave him the information he asked for. I even felt I had handled the call well.

The next moment, I was jumping with joy because I had won the game. Just a few minutes after that, my father also returned. Happily, I told him that I had answered two phone calls. He praised me, but then something happened.

As my dad sat on his chair, ready to work, he yelled, “Maimooonahh!?!”

A shiver ran down my spine. It was not a sign of something positive. It sounded like, “What in the world did you do?” but in a very furious tone. I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself. I am not exaggerating when I tell you I was embarrassed and frightened at the same time!

Frightened and freezing, I said, “Yes, Dad.”

He was boiling mad. He said, “You gave away the Gmail password.”

I froze. I was scared and ashamed. I got scolded, and honestly, I deserved it. I cried for hours, then decided to apologise. I stood in front of him quietly, my head down, while he was on a call.

Then I heard my dad say, “Thank you so much, sir. I am really grateful.”

After he hung up, he told me the password had been changed and, with some help, the account was recovered. I felt so relieved.

This wasn’t just a mistake — it was a lesson I will never forget. Never share personal information, no matter how harmless it may seem. If I had been more attentive, I wouldn’t have made that mistake.

So, to everyone reading this, please make sure you’re always careful and attentive to what others are sweetly asking. You might naively give away some personal information, which could have serious consequences. This world is full of scammers, but it’s up to us to stay alert!

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 11th, 2026

Miller draws the TMNT for the first time

Frank Miller, a key influence on the Turtles’ creation, has drawn his first cover for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300. Coloured by Alex Sinclair, the cover plays with the “Turtles all the way down” concept.

The issue also features variant covers by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, as well as J. Scott Campbell, Juan Ferreyra and Freddie E. Williams II.

Kicking off the new storyline, The City That Never Dies, the milestone issue includes a back-up story by Tom Waltz and Eastman, making it a celebration for long-time fans and collectors alike.

Who’s in The Hunt for Gollum?

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum mixes familiar faces and new actors, covering the 17 years between Bilbo’s 111th birthday and Gandalf telling Frodo to leave the Shire. Ian McKellen may return as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo, though deals aren’t final. Andy Serkis directs and reprises Gollum.

Evangeline Lilly and Cate Blanchett visited sets but won’t reprise Tauriel or Galadriel. Hugo Weaving won’t return as Elrond. Aragorn and Arwen are expected to be recast with younger actors.

The Hunt for Gollum explores Aragorn’s early journey as a ranger and the choices that shape him into the hero of the later saga. Along the way, Aragorn faces treacherous landscapes, dark creatures and moral dilemmas, all while the shadow of Middle-Earth’s growing darkness looms over him.

Power Rangers reboot

Power Rangers is getting a new reboot with Comics Giveaway Day 2026: Power Rangers #0 from BOOM! Studios, featuring three different versions of the team.

The issue will revisit the original Mighty Morphin Rangers, show Rangers across space and time battling a spreading darkness and follow one Ranger trying to survive as the last on Earth.

BOOM! Studios, which has run the franchise since 2016, has introduced key new characters like Lord Drakkon and expanded the lore, making this a fresh starting point for newcomers and long-time fans. The #0 issue hits stores on May 2.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 11th, 2026