Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Thinking of those I left behind

I wrote this article a few months ago but I simply forgot to post it.


The best part about having your own business is of course flexibility and being able to report to work at whatever time suits you. Alhamdulilla, thanks to God Almighty my family and I experienced one of the best, most relaxing fasting month's ever. Our home is functioning on Saudi mode at present as I had become so accustomed to life in the Kingdom. We usually break our fast with zamzam and tamoor and of course a few savouries in line with South African Indian tradition. Dad then drops me off at the pharmacy before heading off for taraweeh prayers at the masjid close by. After taraweeh we head back home and then have a full dinner. Almost every night we have guests over for dinner making it a fun and jovial experience. A few nights ago at the dinner table dad decided to call a friend of mine residing in Riyadh. In fact he is more of a fatherly figure rather a friend. He hails from a middle class family in Pakistan and spent half his life in the Kingdom working as a messenger in a hospital. To earn extra money he would also stitch clothing. Through hard work and determination he put all his kids through university making them well respected members of society. What amazed me about this middle aged gentleman was undoubtedly his kind demeanour. Whenever mom would visit the Kingdom, he would take us out for dinner and every year at Eid he would surprise me with a whole carrier bag full of new clothes. Whilst chatting to him though I was saddened at some of the news he relayed to me.

 A colleague of mine that I worked with passed away in an accident a few months ago and a Syrian doctor who was a mutual friend was missing after making his way to Syria. I was deeply saddened and aggrieved. These were people I knew, living beings that I laughed and joked with. I knew their friends and their family. Naturally I was unable to sleep that night. The next morning Allah put a thought in my mind. I called a mutual friend in Syria and I then received news that the Syrian doctor and his family had major issues when they returned to their country of birth. Their homes and properties had been destroyed. Thank Allah though that they managed to escape without getting hurt. They moved away to Sweden. I got a hold of the mobile number and wasn't I elated and filled with jubilation at hearing their voices on the phone. Whilst they lost their land and their property they were still living and breathing. Whilst they had to give up their life of luxury and move into a small apartment at least there is hope of a better future for their kids. Under Swedish law they are unable to practice as medical professionals without first mastering the Swedish language. They need to study Swedish and then write an exam in order for them to be fully integrated into society. Not many of us will be able to do this. I admire their strength and determination.

I was then informed about my Palestinian friend who resides in Jeddah. His parents along with immediate family reside in Ramallah. Hence they are safe from the Israeli aggression. However, when I spoke to him I could hear the pain and anguish in his voice when he describes the atrocities that have been inflicted against his extended family residing in the Gaza strip. Doctor Hani witnessed the wickedness of the Israelis at the tender age of five years old. He was walking to the masjid with his maternal grandfather when Israelis soldiers kidnapped his grand dad. His grandfather screamed at him to run and hide. He ran down the alleyway into the masjid and remained in the basement for two days without food. Naturally his own parents were under the impression that he was kidnapped as well. After two days he returned home to the surprise and happiness of his family. His grand dad was however tortured and then murdered at the hands of the Zionist Jews. His body was chopped up into pieces and thrown at their door. Whilst South African kids are brought up in a lap of luxury sheltered and protected by our families, the young children of Palestine are denied a normal childhood. Tears rolled down my cheeks listening to Hani's childhood stories. He mentioned to me that whilst life was tough, he wanted to break free. He wanted to acquire an education. He felt that he needed to empower himself. There was no money though and yet he knew he had to leave the land of his ancestors in order to make a better life for himself and his family. One day by chance he came into contact with foreigners visiting Jerusalem. They were from Latin America. Through the grace of God Almighty they took a liking to young Hani and he returned with them to their country. They gave him an education and he learnt fluent Spanish. Hani told me that every step of the way he felt as though Allah was with him helping him through all of his trials and tribulations. When he completed his schooling he wanted to acquire a tertiary education but he didn't wish to burden the family he was staying with. He applied for a bursary and even though there were thousands of applicants, he was accepted. A few other families in the neighbourhood he was residing in subsidized his other expenses like textbooks and of course transport money to and from university. Today Doctor Hani is well respected in his field of medicine. But despite his success as a doctor, he mentioned to me that he will never feel complete happiness until he returns to his homeland. He works in Saudi to support his own family as well as his extended family. Every year he seeks admission for one family member at a university abroad. In his opinion, knowledge and intellect is what the Palestinian people need in order to one day grow as a successful nation. Whilst I felt saddened listening to his story, all he said was," Dear Sumayya, peace and war comes from Allah. Be happy and grateful in every situation that you are faced with. Alhamdulillahi 3ala kulli haal."