When 19-year-old Muhammad Luqman Shariff managed to pack a packet of nasi lemak on his own, it may have seemed like a small achievement to many. But for his parents, it was a deeply emotional milestone, one that symbolised hope, progress, and a glimpse into a more independent future.
Luqman is autistic and nonverbal, a condition where communication through speech is not possible. Like many parents of children with special needs, his father, Mohd Adli Yahya, has long carried a quiet but persistent concern about his son’s future.
“We always worry about what will happen to Luqman when we are no longer around,” Adli shared. “We worry about how he’s going to survive, who’s going to look after him.”
Faced with these uncertainties, Adli made a life-changing decision in 2016. He left behind a successful corporate career to establish the Autism Cafe Project, a social enterprise built not only for his son, but for many other youths on the autism spectrum.
The initiative was created as a safe and supportive environment where Luqman could learn practical skills, build confidence, and slowly gain a sense of independence. At the same time, it opened doors for other autistic youths to receive food service training and meaningful opportunities.
More than just a business, the project became a bridge, connecting the autism community with the wider public. Through catering services, a cafe, and pop-up nasi lemak kiosks, Adli ensures that Luqman and others like him are given the chance to interact, engage, and be seen.
These daily interactions, he hopes, will slowly reshape public perception.
“I would wish the public would understand us, the parents, as well as our special needs youth,” he said. “Do not see them as non-productive people. Because if you do that, there will be no hope for them. But if you see them as individuals with potential, that could open up a whole new world for them.”
Beyond the business, the journey has also brought father and son closer. What began as a step towards securing Luqman’s future has grown into a deeply personal journey of understanding, patience, and unconditional love.
Today, every small milestone even something as simple as packing nasi lemak carries a much bigger meaning.
Source : Ourbetterworld
