A One Ummah Struggle

For those updated, it’s no secret that I fundraised for an Aid for Syria Convoy. And what a marvelous struggle it was.

Imagine accomplishing something your entire world said you wouldn’t and couldn’t, in fear of temporary imprisonment. Imagine being solely driven by mere emotions.

The story goes, in a world of no connections one must contact those with connections. All persons that I contacted had access to the probable ‘willing’ masses, the public. Little did I know, apparently Uganda and Fundraising publicly for a Muslim-related-cause is tricky. I was denied numerous times all in fear of the Ugandan Government. Why? What would they do? Everyone seemed to believe their phones were tapped and the government was after them and that I was destined to be jailed if I pursued this dream of mine. But why shouldn’t I? Yes, death surrounds us but Al Fatiha Global team was/is willing to put their lives on the line in a country where the death rate exceeds the birth rate. It’s unjustifiable. I understood fundraising was the least I could do.

But I know those people. I know they are ’mashallah’ religious. I know they’re not extremist or ‘Islamist’ which is, I think a light word for terrorist. I know they truly love for the Ummah what they love for themselves. I know. I know. I also know hypocrites stand amongst us in prayer and only Allah knows what is in their hearts and Allah knows what truths they’re willing to twist for something worldly such as fat paycheck.

In other words, I understood why those beings I contacted were so fearful. I felt in their hearts they wanted to help, but them having been unjustly jailed, didn’t help my cause. Constantly, did they advise me to put my first official dream to rest. My whole world told me to drop it. My whole world thought it would bring me nothing but troubles. But I never saw it that way. I couldn’t. I simply couldn’t. I went far and high and at all times I was fearful there might be truth to all their cries despite not comprehending how something so sincere can bring about unease. Nevertheless, I put my undivided trust in the creator and never looked back.

My heart shattered continuously. Imagine countless individuals all saying NO for the same reason more or less. Imagine how I felt when I discovered the communities I contacted were fundraising for other causes after they denied me access. At times, I was deeply saddened and felt little hope. Subhanallah Allah granted me patience. Allah didn’t plan for me to depend on the mosques or centers or organizations for this project. I believe a beauty I am unaware of lies behind such an occurrence.
One morning, 5 weeks before my departure from Uganda, my temporary home of 4 years, just as I thought I had given up, it came to me, to run solo, to fly solo. Alhamdulillah Allah granted me patience. At times, I couldn’t stop smiling, like I NEVER smile insanely. But at times, I would be filled with so much joy and happiness I couldn’t help but project it for the world to witness. Hence, this struggle was beyond worth it.

I went door to door, got as little as 30cents at times. But that didn’t stop me. I would make duaa for the donors and wish them the highest level of Jannah and smile and move on.

Alhamdulillah Allah planned for me to strive to help our blessed Ummah. I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity.

Those 30cents eventually added up to a sum shorter than 500 pounds equivalent to some 800 dollars. Imagine my excitement? Sure I was unable to meet my first goal of thousands of dollars or my second of a thousand pounds but I met my third of five hundred pounds, well almost anyway. I understand it’s not the amount that counts and I am a solid believer in something is better than nothing. So to the many victims of war in Syria, loads of aid convoys are heading your direction protected by a cloud of duaa. So لا تحزن.

Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. I feel blessed. And I don’t think I could have done it without those who supported me. Whoever you are, thank you for making duaa for me. Whoever you are, thank you for being my backbone. Whoever you are, thank you for not forgetting our brother and sister overseas. Whoever you are thank you for keeping the bleeding Ummah in your duaas.

MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES INFINITELY!! May we reunite in eternal Paradise.