Ruhel Islam
Ruhel Islam
Follower of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Owns Gandhi Mahal restaurant in the Longfellow community of Minneapolis.
“Be the change you want to see in the world” is my favorite Gandhi quote. You need to have a dream, believe in the dream. Be patient, build a non-violent world, work together and you can achieve your dream.
Ruhel Islam
Follower of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Owns Gandhi Mahal restaurant in the Longfellow community of Minneapolis.
My name is Ruhel Islam. I was born in Bangladesh, India, which is a country about half the size of America, on October 1, 1976. I grew up with my seven siblings, five sisters and two brothers.
Our school started under a tree which is why that is the logo for our restaurant. They built the school slowly which went up to primary school. We learned many things like English and math. The English was Bengali English so it was hard to learn.
My father was a farmer and I started working by raising chickens. I started with 2 and that grew to 2000. After school it was farming, gardening and raising chickens. I loved it! I learned self-sufficiency.
I came to America with my brother in 1996 when I was 20 years old. My uncle was the minister of finance and planning in Bangladesh and he told us that we needed to go to America because it was better and it was easier to do business here.
The main reason I came to Minneapolis was for the education and health. It’s the right atmosphere. We are sister cities; City of Lakes and City of Lakes and Rivers.
The government in Bangladesh was not fair and corrupt. There was a hierarchy and you did what they wanted you to do, not what you want. There is more freedom and justice here in America. But in the end Bangladesh is a beautiful country.
My restaurant’s slogan is “dedicated to bring peace by pleasing the palates.” I work with the community to bring people together. Everybody counts and everybody matters. We work with different groups to make this happen. I believe in self-sufficiency and am helping my community to do this.
Mahatma Gandhi was a great influence in my life. He was a great leader and he stood for peace and non-violence. My grandfather met him and I thought it was important to keep his dream alive and practice it here. I am Islamic which is a peaceful way of life. It’s working together and coming together, the same belief as Gandhi.
Be the Change
Honoring Ruhel Islam
Be The Change
(Honoring Ruhel Islam)
My name is Ruhel Islam
I was born in Bangladesh
In a country almost smaller
Than Minneapolis
With a population half the size of America
It felt just like heaven
When I first came here
If you have a good dream to dream
A dream free from fear
America, America
America land of dreams
America you and me
My dream is for the people
To come together now
To be self-sufficient
To stand on sacred ground
Just like Brother Martin, Mahatma Gandhi
To be non-violent
To put an end to war
To live in peace, to live in love
Who could ask for more
Then to make this world better
So all on earth may live
To dream a dream! To come true!
To be the change! Me and you!
Be the change!
If you see somebody walking down the street
Give a helping had to everybody you meet
Open up the door and bring them in
The whole wide world can be your friend
Be the change!
All you got to do is take the path
It can make you weezy that’s a fact
But to help somebody when they’re feeling bad
Is to help yourself! It will make you glad!
Be the change!
Man yelling at a woman about her seat
Said, “you better move or you’ll get beat”
She held her ground and stayed right there
She wasn’t about to go no where
Be the change!
It don’t matter if you’re short or tall
Let’s stand together, one and all
Heal the sick, feed the poor
That’s what we’re all here for
Be the change!
You can help! Don’t be afraid!
Be it a tornado or a hurricane
Because after all, we’re sisters and brothers
Even though we come from different mothers!
Be the change!
If we all stick together
We can change ghe world forever
Things don’t need to stay the same
If we all decide to be the change
Be the change!
Be the power! Just believe!
Imagine how the world would be
Just believe! Just believe! Just believe!
Be the change!
So let’s all, just take charge
Together we can all go far
Change the world for the better
Stand up! Stand together
Just believe! Just believe!
Be the change!
If someone is struggling and backed out,
Do a good deed, help ‘em out!
If they’re still stuck and in need
Help them out! Set them free!
Be the change!
I fought over a piece of cake
My brother and I wanted to take
So cut it in half, so we could share
To show my brother I really care
Be the change
Cruelty, violence, war and fighting
It strikes hard, just like lightning
Everyone needs a helping hand
So give them one! Be their friend!
Be the change!
Be the change you want to see
Everyone can help, both you and me
Come together, no matter what age
Believe it or not, we can be the change!
Be the change!
Words & Music by Larry Long with Katrina Belding’s 5th & 6th Grade Classroom, Barton Open School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
© Larry Long Publishing 2013 / BMI