Plug in and ignite the circuits because today, we’re diving into the heart of the Rotaract club of SLIIT. They are the true masterminds and underdogs behind every project you encounter.

Put your hands up for the Information Technology avenue. No actually do, because these fellows truly deserve it.

From the moment they took on the role, this team has been relentlessly working behind the scenes. Their dedication is the reason the club receives so much recognition and engagement.

So who’s behind the grand laptop?

Some things that seem like opposites are exactly what make them work so well together, like day and night. This is the duo that never fails.

Let me introduce you to the Information Technology co-directors for the RI year 25-26,

Rtr. Zayan Mohamed and Rtr. Muhammadhu Islah

Zayan who claims to be a penguin which makes him the biggest critic of the phrase: try and try, one day you can fly. Because, well, he can’t fly as a penguin so how dare anyone try? Those kind of thoughts might be the influence of his obsession with anime. Baka guy.

His journey into Rotaract is a funny one to look back at. What started as a joke, being peer pressured into joining by his friends, became his true calling. He slowly stepped up by becoming an IT committee member and chairing a project. He was so good at it, that they had to award him as the general member of the quarter. So its truly a no-brainer that he totally earned this position as the IT co-director. This year, he also went on to become a team coordinator for Rotaverse, where he built and led a phenomenal team. This big of a transformation after just a year is quite the achievement.

His ability to multitask and give his absolute best in every part of his life from his internship, academics to his work at rotaract and personal life is truly a mystery to be solved. There was this one time, he started editing a poster on his bike in a literal car park. I am not sure how it is physically possible but its Zayan, so I get it.

Zayan is a walking contradiction. On the surface, he might seem reserved but don’t be fooled, the more you get to know him, that surface level perspective will crash, and you will realise the incredible person that he is.

He is naturally a calm and composed person, but behind all that, he’s the boss of the overthinking department. Perhaps that’s why you’ll never see him go out of his way to start a conversation since he’s too busy weighing the pros and cons in his head.

But give it a while and you’ll get to know the real him. You’ll meet the Zayan who would go above and beyond, even for a stranger, because his generosity isn’t just a gesture, it’s a core part of who he is. You’ll also see that same self-reliant mind set in his work. He’s someone who prefers to do things himself, not because he’s a control freak, but because he has a keen eye for details and would rather get it done right on his own than spend hours explaining it to others.

It’s truly inspiring to see how his eyes light up whenever he’s given the task of creating art, whether it’s a design brief or a coding challenge. That is his happy place. His dream is to build something meaningful in the tech world that reflects his presence not just in its name but also in everything it stands for. With a nickname like ChatGPT, success is only a matter of time.

While IT may be his first love, he is devotedly married to his bike and his laptop, which he affectionately refers to as his “first and second wife.” The only other competitors for his affection are his family, especially his mother and sister.

In a world that often praises people who are loud and outgoing, Zayan reminds us that some of the most profound contributions come from those who are a little quieter. He might prefer to be by himself, but when he does connect with you, he does so with a depth and kindness that is very rare.

That’s why the only reasonable person to pair with him is Muhammadhu Islah, the extroverted version of Bishru (the Past IT director).

Islah is the kind who’s here, there, and gone in an instant. You think you see him, but the second you look away, he’s already gone.

He’s a whole character. If Stan Lee met him, he would have created an entire universe just for this guy. That’s the level of depth he has, yet best part is that you only need to meet him once to see it all. You can write his autobiography just by spending 24 hours with him because he wears his heart on his sleeve with a genuine transparency that makes him incredibly easy to talk to and comfortable to be around.

He’s like a wind-up toy, once he starts talking, he wont stop. If you’re with him at an event, you’ll never have to worry about being bored because his never-ending commentary will keep you entertained the entire time. In fact, he’s the last person you want around in a serious situation. One look at him and you’re done for, because the laughter simply won’t stop.

I think that’s truly his gift: a natural ability to make everyone laugh, even with the silliest jokes.

He’s someone who carries a confident aura that even social anxiety is probably scared of him. Like the uncountable times when he has stepped up to do things that most of us would need mental preparation for and done them as if he was born to do it.

But behind his bubbly persona, Islah is a very caring and considerate person. It makes sense, as the youngest child, that he’s the one who runs home every weekend to help his mom with groceries, though, in hindsight, maybe the good food is the real bonus.

I remember one time when he was on the phone with his dad and told him not to mention his surprise visit to his mom. But his dad blurted it out anyway, and he was so annoyed. It was the best kind of "last child" behavior, a sign of just how much he loves to light them up with his visits.

You would never expect it, but Islah is an incredibly observant and open-minded person. He often surprises us with the keen observations he makes, all while cracking jokes. His wit is only matched by his undeniable talent for editing, coding, and design. To leave out his skills would be like I didn’t speak about him at all, as they are as central to who he is as his witty, bubbly persona.

All in all, what a thrilling pair for our Information Technology Avenue. Zayan, with his quiet, principled one-piece aura, and a meticulous attention to detail and Islah, with his boundless, charismatic energy and an unwavering confidence that makes him a natural leader. They are the perfect balance.

I will leave you with Zayan’s ultimate saying:
“You know what they say… Don’t die trying but try dying”

I know no one has said that but be nice, say Arigatou Zayan, and let him shine like a diamond.

Penned By:

Rtr. Rana Rilwan

Editor 25-26