“The Voice That Pulled Me Back”: Shahi Al Sadat Shares the Hidden Force Behind His Journey

From near collapse to global accolades, Teen-X Bangladesh founder Shahi Al Sadat opens up about the personal heroes who shaped his rise.

Behind every triumph lies a story of struggle — and for Shahi Al Sadat, that story is deeply personal. The young changemaker credits two unwavering figures in his life: his father, Md. Shafikul Islam, and former Meherpur DC, Shameem Hasan Sir.

“My father believed in me long before the world ever did,” Sadat reflects. “And Sir — he became my guide during the darkest storms, never letting me stray too far.”

But amid all the support, there was one voice that reached him when no one else could. A voice that anchored him back to life: Maisha Maliha.

“That 38-Minute Call Changed Everything”

Interviewer: Was there a turning point in your personal journey?

Sadat: Yes. In 2024, I was at my lowest. Drowning in rejection, fear, and suicidal thoughts. That’s when Maliha came into my life. I accepted her Facebook request, assuming she was a senior. We eventually began coordinating on Startup IO tasks.

Then came that first call — 38 minutes long. I didn’t speak. I was too broken. She simply said: “You can’t give up now.”

Later, after facing rejection from three major institutions, I was on the verge of giving up. She called again. I stayed silent for 17 minutes. She didn’t hang up. That silence, that presence, saved my life.

From Hopelessness to International Recognition

At the time, Sadat had no awards, no spotlight — just a dream and a wounded heart. Today, his accolades speak volumes:

Full scholarship to Rice University (USA) in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies

PBIF International Digital Business Award 2025 for his AI idea “What”

Winner of the National Tech Award

Nominee, International Children’s Peace Prize 2024

More than 50 international recognitions for his work

Launch of Teen-X App and Teen-X Bangladesh — both honoring Maliha’s birthday

“Today, even Google pairs her photo with mine. And I couldn’t be more proud,” Sadat smiles.

Love That Chose Silence

Life has since created distance between them. “She once asked me to step away from activism,” Sadat admits. “She feared for my safety. But I chose this path — and she chose silence. Not out of resentment, but love.”

While he now works with a committed team, Sadat makes one thing clear: no contribution — no matter how great — compares to the lifeline Maliha offered him when he was drowning.

“She didn’t just support me,” he says. “She rescued me. And I’ll always honor her for that.”

“This is not a tribute. This is my truth,” Sadat concludes, committed to building a safer, more resilient world for the teens who need it most