In 1983, an unknown photographer took this candid shot of a lone Punk rocker somewhere in London. This photo soon appeared as a postcard in the US – a portrayal of the wave of Punk ideology thlat was then blowing through the youth in several other countries.

 

 

For many the distracted and bland simplicity of the young man lost in thought represented the hopelessness and desperation that drove a movement largely perceived as being rebellious, radical and decadent.

In reality the Punk movement rooted itself in a radical reaction to the perceived failures of established society, and they dreamed of establishing a better world.  

Their philosophy was Nihilism and their tools were anarchy, anti-war, and peace and freedom for all. Although quick to identify flaws in society and being ultra-critical of the hypocritical and superficial values that people were conditioned to accept, they were a lot less certain of what to replace them with. And so their individualistic anarchy was a carte blanche for chaos.

 

The lone Punk rocker in this photo also appeared in other photos and publications, such as the one below He can be seen on the left in the photo. 

 

His name was Tariq Saddique. His father was Pakistani and his mother Italian. 

  

28 years later –

  

Today, 28 years later, Tariq is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and he has a real and well-founded hope for a better world to come.

 

 

When I recently visited him in London, he had this to say:

“Do what Jehovah asks and let Him take care of the rest. Pride can make even the most competent and capable person utterly useless to Jehovah.

What Jehovah wants from us is our service. At this time there is nothing better we can be doing. “

   

Tariq has been serving as a Ministerial Servant in a London congregation for the past 10 years.

 

His path to a better world began when someone knocked on his door.