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."
