Child, don’t play outside the house - it’s dangerous!

Rana Rais Khan reflects upon the current situation of children in Pakistan.

There are an estimated 70,000 children on the streets of Pakistan. ‘Madadgar helpline’ reports approximately 15,000 of them between the ages of seven and fifteen that roam the alleys of Karachi alone. Research conducted by private NGOs indicates that 66% of them belong to Korangi, PIB colony, Machar colony, etc.

They are either runaways from large and poor families or homeless and abandoned children. Sooner or later, these children fall prey to child labour, sexual abuse, and drug addiction. Ultimately, they get forced into crime. 

Some run away from home because of ill treatment and forced labour at the hands of their own destitute parents, who cannot afford to raise them otherwise. Despite missing their siblings, these orphans prefer to join gangs rather than return home.

According to reports by Meera Jamal of ‘Dawn’, they are robbed by policemen and sold into sexual slavery for as low as Rs. 50 a day. These children sniff glue and petrol as the cheapest means to forget their miseries. Their only self defense is carrying a razor blade that most of the time is not enough against the older and stronger. Joining a gang provides maximum protection. However, they are still subject to abuse by the gang leader, whose orders they must comply with.

Edhi Foundation confirms that though Sindh Child Act and a number of other laws declare the government responsible for the safety and protection of all children, there is no official support network in place to rehabilitate them. When such kids are brought to them, most of them choose to return to the streets. Their innocence has been abused to such an extent that they begin to enjoy their freedom. Also, their life of crime offers them much more than a frugal children’s shelter ever could. American writer Zig Ziglar commented: “Kids go where there is excitement; they stay where there is love.”  

The question then arises - what can be done? These children are as much a part of our future Ummah as our own kids. Many times we instruct our own children: “Child, don’t play outside the house - it’s dangerous.” The thought of leaving our kids on the city streets to roam on their own day and night is enough to send shivers down the spine. 

We must not forget that our beloved Messenger (sa) was an orphan, too. The ignorant Arabs of that era had a much stronger sense of fraternity than we have today, in spite of our modern education and economic means. Prophet Muhammad (sa) was lovingly taken in to his uncle’s home and raised as one of his own children. Today, it seems not to be even an option - a child with a relative is as vulnerable as the one on the streets. Therefore, these kids dangerously opt to be left to their own devices.

There is no simple solution to this challenge. Until big plans are put in place, we can all chip in individually. Several Quranic verses and authentic prophetic traditions encourage sponsorship of orphans. Start from home. Look around within your extended family, if a child needs to be supported for education and other needs. Don’t be judgmental or arrogant, when offering support, so as not to hurt their self-esteem. Just offer any assistance with an open heart and a pure Niyah (intention).

Encourage institutes and individuals that are running rehabilitation centres. Don’t just fund them, but visit them with your family and spend time with these children regularly.

Help your servants and employees manage their children’s basic needs. Arrange meaningful Quranic education and vocational training for them, so they can morally and economically uplift their families.

On the streets, try to encourage children who sell stuff to earn a respectable life. We can also give a far more protected and respectable environment to a poor child by employing him for one of the lighter tasks at home. Proper time can be allocated for his education and upbringing.  

It will take personal and consistent interest on our part to bring a meaningful change in the lives of one of these kids. But if we can save one innocent life, it can be Sadqa-e-jaariya for us. May be we are the hope these children are looking for. Let’s give it to them with love and kindness.

The Palestinian representative's speech at the UN

Even though the authenticity of this quote is uncertain, it does have a worthy point to make. 

Interview with Ms. Bilquees Edhi

Naureen Aqueel gives us a glimpse into the much honoured Edhi family - their selfless sacrifices and enormous achievements.

In this age of materialism and heightened individualism, selfless efforts are rare gems. One family that has become a paragon of such values is the Edhis. Altruism, commitment, compassion, determination and hard work are behind the successful mission to bring relief to millions across Pakistan and abroad. Be it war, aftermaths of a natural calamity, or abandoned babies, the Edhi family is a ray of hope for many groping in the darkness of disaster, injustice and disease. “Hiba” magazine spoke to Bilquis Edhi, wife of Abdul Sattar Edhi, to get an insight into the great heights they have reached.

“A humanitarian perspective,” is how Bilquis Edhi defines the prime motive behind the Edhi Foundation. “It is aimed at the collective good of all,” she says.

In his autobiography “A Mirror to the Blind” as narrated to Tehmina Durrani, Abdul Sattar Edhi says: “The five basic tenets of Islam continue into the sixth for me: Huquq-ul-Ibaad or humanitarianism. That it is not proclaimed as obligatory has deeper meaning; as right and wrong are left to human initiatives, its importance would be lost if forced.”

At another place in the same book he says: “Huqquq Allah is meaningless without Huqquq-ul-Ibaad. The latter is not possible without compassion and self-help. Islam is not implementable without submission to these two qualities, without them, there can be no practice. Islam without practice is a negation of God. The Holy Book is truly valued only when its prescription is followed.”

As one of the most active philanthropists in the world, Abdul Sattar Edhi is devoted and committed, and is known to work through holidays. How do he and his family manage this? “This is not our work, it is Allah’s (swt) work. And Allah (swt) gets His work done by whomever He Wills,” explains Bilquis Edhi. “Edhi Sahib has undergone only two grades of academic schooling and I have undergone only eight. There are no qualifications for (humanitarian) work. We only need to have a humanitarian perspective and do beneficial work.”

The Edhi couple and their family do not do all the work alone. They have a trained team of employees and volunteers. “We hire the staff and train them. There are also volunteers who get less salary-wise but do quality work. And, Masha’Allah, Allah (swt) has helped us greatly. No matter how much we accept His favour and thank Him, it is insufficient. We, humans, have no power to do work on our own without His help.”

“So, does the staff always work with as much sincerity, enthusiasm and selflessness as you two?” I inquired. “No. The employees sometimes cause trouble. No one is perfect. I keep telling Edhi Sahib: ‘You wish everyone was Sattar Edhi Sahib, but that is difficult - everyone has their own priorities be it home, family or children.’”

Another secret of their success is that they start their work early morning after the morning prayers and breakfast thereafter. Although most of their time is spent serving humanity, you will never hear them complaining or see them in low spirits. So how do they keep themselves motivated? “We are content and satisfied with ourselves,” shares Bilquis Edhi, “we keep doing our work and do not brood on criticisms.”

Despite their international fame, Abdul Sattar Edhi, Bilquis Edhi and their family continue to live a simple life. Indeed, Abdul Sattar Edhi is known to own two traditional Shalwar Kameez. “We have never really thought of who we are or what status we have. We just consider ourselves ordinary human beings and we work like common folk. Allah (swt) has saved us from arrogance and ostentation (Riya Kari),” says Bilquis Edhi.

The journey to establish such an unparalleled network of welfare work was not completely smooth. “We have never encountered any obstacles that have stopped us. Allah (swt) has always taken us ahead. He has never let us fall back. People have opposed us a lot and have resorted to narrow-mindedness and accusations. But Edhi Sahib says that their purpose is to distract us from our work. If we fight back, we will waste time. So he says: ‘Our work should be our response. Such people will be defeated and humiliated, when they see our work.’ Obstacles are a part of life,” says Bilquis Edhi.

In his autobiography, Abdul Sattar Edhi says: “When the anxiety at the vastness of the areas I must cover overwhelmed me, I took courage from Prophet’s Muhammad’s (saw) example. He was confronted with enormous opposition and more hypocrites than friends.”

Commenting on the numerous awards they have received, Bilquis Edhi says: “It is the work that speaks.”

In the end, Bilquis Edhi prayed for the success of “Hiba” magazine and wished to give a message to women: “Women should live life on the principles of simplicity, honesty, hard work and punctuality and should adhere to their limits (Apni Chaddar Mein Rehna Chahye). A good woman and mother is the minister of the home. Islam has not stopped women from work, but they should not cross Islam’s boundaries in any work they do.”

May Allah (swt) reward the Edhi family for their work and bestow His Mercy upon them, and may He grant us the same spirit of charity. Ameen.

Edhi Welfare Foundation, the largest welfare organization of Pakistan and one of the largest and most successful health and welfare networks in Asia, started as a tiny dispensary in 1951. Today, Edhi Foundation has over 300 centers across the country in cities, towns and rural areas. Services provided by Edhi Foundation include: baby cradles, destitute homes, welfare centers, highways projects, warehouses, field ambulance services, air ambulance services, marine and coastal service, blood and drug banks, cancer research hostel, missing persons service, home for sheltering animals, graveyard services, Edhi emergency posts, prisoners aid, refugee assistance and international community centers.

Bilquis Edhi has personally given 18900 children up for adoption.

Edhi Foundation is in the Guinness World Records for having the largest private ambulance service network in the world.

The couple have received around 250-275 awards and Abdul Sattar Edhi has also received an honorary doctorate from IBA.

Noman Ali Khan: When they insult our Prophet (sa)

Short, simple and straight forward advice from Noman Ali Khan - dos and don'ts in the way to respond to those, who insult Prophet Muhammad (sa):

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151396731328852

Join "Save Maryam" campaign!

Up to 2 million people are walking away from Islam in Indonesia every year. Detachment and disillusionment has left them feeling that Islam is out of touch with the lives of the contemporary Indonesian. Furthermore a seemingly exciting, well-resourced and apparently empowering faith is reaching out to them; Christianity. The word of Christ today is one of love, peace and most importantly – answers. These are answers that young people have not been able to access from the Islamic establishment, until now. Young Indonesians have yet to discover the beauty and the essence of Islam that strengthens us Muslims worldwide.

Thus Maryam is the voice of every young Muslim in Indonesia that is struggling with the pressures of contemporary life, does not know Islam more than the name they were born with and finds solace only in a growing voice of Christianity. We want to stop Maryam becoming Mary, by reaching out to her, dealing with her concerns and helping her find peace with her religion and with Allah’s (swt) decree. We want to save a generation that is heading toward leaving Islam, from doing so, and we need your help. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Allâh supports His slave as long as the slave is supportive of his brother…” (Muslim), so help yourself, by helping to Save Maryam.

We either accept that Islam has had its time in Indonesia, and allow the growth of apostasy to continue. Or, we reach out, with faith, to our brothers and sisters in Indonesia and put a hand on their shoulder and remind them of who they are; Muslims. Stand by their side and educate them about the Allah (swt) they do not know and the Messenger (saw), whose name they may have, but whose life they have no knowledge of.

Consider the words of the Messenger of Allah (saw) and get involved:

“A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah (swt) will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah (swt) will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah (swt) will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Bukhari)

Source: Mercy Mission World (http://www.mercymissionworld.org/blog/2012/07/21/save-maryam-campaign-launched/) 

Islam in Singapore

By Ruhie Jamshaid

Sultan Masjid, Singapore

The little island nation of Singapore is renowned to be a modern, urban ‘lion-city’. It is often recognized as the commercial heart of Asia. The levels of cleanliness and law and order found in this nation are somewhat legendary, with many cities, such as Dubai, Bahrain and Shanghai, modeling after it.

However, beyond the glitz and glamour of the heart of the far East, lies a nation that is admired for its sense of respect for all religions and races. A myriad of races from the Chinese to Malays and Indians live side by side on the island, practicing their religions. Needless to say, Islam, too, is practiced freely and widely in Singapore!

In fact, growing up in such a multicultural country as Singapore, I had the opportunity to learn about my religion from my Malay and Arab friends. Somehow, the religion of Islam and my culture as a Pakistani were often separate entities. Hence, I got a chance to study my religion for what it is, beyond cultural influences.

One of the most wonderful things about being a Muslim in Singapore is celebrating Ramadan. This holy month is always very special here. It is a common practice to go to the Masjid for Taraweeh prayers as a family. Every locality, or rather housing estate, has a mosque, although the volume of the Adhans has to be controlled for the sake of not disturbing non-Muslim residents. Iftar is organized in all the mosques for all and sundry. It is common to find people of such varied nationalities as Moroccons, Bangladeshis, Indonesians and the local Singaporean Malays sitting side by side and breaking their fasts. Taraweeh prayers are conducted with Tahleels and Dhikr sessions.

My family and I cherish the opportunity to go to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers. It is an opportunity for us to meet other Muslims and for our children to be aware of the spirit of Islam in a community. As many Muslims are foreigners, with only a few family members in Singapore, Eid-ul-Fitr prayers also offer an opportunity to connect with the Muslim community.

The Chinese Muslim community of Singapore, though small in number, is also an interesting aspect of the Muslim community found here. While they practice Islam, they also embrace certain Chinese cultural practices, such as the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Ms. Mah, a Chinese Muslim, states: “We are basically all Chinese, except that we practice Islam. For instance, we avoid pork, which is often the preferred meat in Chinese households!” Many Chinese Muslims in Singapore have either embraced Islam through marriage and adoption, or their families are of Hui or Uyghur descent, having moved to Singapore from China in the 1920s.

It is quite easy to practice Islam in most areas of life in Singapore. Though there may not be special rooms allocated for Salah in most workplaces, it is typical for employers to make allowances for you to go to a quiet corner such as a staircase area or your own office cubicle to pray. Halal food is also easily available with most fast food restaurants being Halal. Wearing Hijab at workplaces can be an issue but in daily life, it is common to find Muslim ladies donning the Hijab at market places and restaurants.

Generally, Islam is seldom viewed suspiciously in Singapore. Therefore, the freedom to practice one’s religion without fear of being ostracized makes it all the worthwhile to be a Muslim in Singapore.