By Noureen Amer and Maryam Sakeenah
“She’s Reem,” said my little Khadija
Naming her new dollie…
Plastic is more durable
Than human flesh these days.
Yet
In the skies far above,
Beautiful Reem,
the Soul of Our Souls
Laughs and prances about
Under the kind gaze
Of Father Ibraheem
It’s a sight to behold,
With all the new-coming children
From Gaza-
Each one, the Soul
Of Someone’s Soul.
As I write this, thousands of children have been brutally murdered and the world watched it happen. Names are being written down on tiny hands of the ones alive, so that they can be recognized if they get bombed too. Can you picture this happening to your children and you being trapped in a place waiting your execution?
Every time I think about this, it sends chills down my spine. I have to continuously remind myself that no, it is not a horror movie that we’re talking about; this is really happening!
All of us are well aware of the ongoing genocide in Gaza unleashed on October 7th, 2023 in Palestine and isn’t there even a single Muslim country and their army willing to stop this injustice and brutality? I just keep wondering how we reached such a dark place of disbelief and de-sensitization?
The Prophet (sa) had said:
“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart- and that is the weakest of faith.”
If you and I cannot physically stop the evil happening right now, we must use our voices and words to strive against it.
Short Term Actions:
- Make Dua and recite Qunoot e Nazila
Pray for our Palestinian brothers and sisters and recite ‘Qunoot e Nazila’, as taught by the Prophet (sa). Ask the Imam of your masjid to recite it also on a daily basis.
- Protest
Protest as much as possible and let our leaders know that Palestinian lives are precious to us.
- Boycott products made by Israel and their Allies:
Stop using products produced by Israel and their allies. Look for local alternatives and encourage people to join in the boycott.
- Spread Awareness:
Become the voice of our oppressed brothers and sisters in faith. Each one of us has a circle that we can inspire and encourage to become part of this cause.
- Send Aid and Donations:
It’s urgent and important that we send aid to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in need. Look for trusted organizations and send your donations through them.
Long Term Action:
- Raise strong Momins:
As parents, we have to take the responsibility for the Tarbiyah of our kids ourselves. It requires us to make a lot of Dua and first work on ourselves. Children are natural imitators. When they see adults giving importance to something, they automatically attach importance to it themselves.
Majority of the Muslims today are inspired by West and their ideologies. We teach our children worldly skills, prioritizing it over Deen. Consequently, they grow up with the same capitalistic mindset where they’re ready to compromise anything for money.
We need to raise strong Momins who are skillful, resourceful and passionate to the benefit of the Muslim Ummah.
- Preserve their leadership qualities:
When children are born, they have a very strong sense of self-esteem, which gets shattered when we criticize and taunt them. Confidence is one of the foundations for developing character and creativity in children. Giving unconditional respect and trust are prerequisites for keeping their self-esteem intact.
- Know our own history:
Watching all the injustice happening to the Muslims has made me realize that I don’t even know my own Muslim history. Back in my school days, I was taught about French Revolution and the Renaissance period of the West, but never about my own history!
How will we learn from our past if we don’t know anything about it? The youth today is inspired by the West because it is unaware of our remarkable Muslim history.
- Nurture the concept of Ummah in their hearts:
The Prophet (sa) called the Muslims one body. We should be able to feel their pain just like the whole body suffers if one part of the body is in pain. Have meaningful conversations with children so that they develop the love of their Ummah.
- Give preference to Palestinian products and build Awqaf (assets):
Support the Palestinians by purchasing their products. Give them preference over others. Likewise, build endowments to support their cause. This will, Insha’Allah, help them financially. Visit the Palestinian Embassy and ask them how you can help Palestine further.
- Strengthen and promote local brands:
The boycott should not be a temporary phase but a conscious, determined lifestyle shift. Support local brands and products so that we prevent our hard earned money from financially strengthening the enemy and instead we strengthen our own economy.
Finally, but most importantly, don’t lose hope or forget Palestine. Our job is to strive but we leave the outcome in Allah’s (swt) Hands. We know that the enemies plan and Allah (swt) Plans, and Allah (swt) is the Best of Planners!
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