Dozens of humanitarian aid workers and a single question—before you meet Allah (swt) insha’Allah, what is a dream you want to realize?
The good-byes also served as acknowledgement that, while we will continue to strive toward our dreams, we are not naive about the amount of work it will take to get there: the damage that has been done in Somalia and throughout East Africa is massive, and there is much more likely to occur. Knowing that there are many all over the world who will do what they can to assist when and where it is needed, however, assured us all that together we can make a world of difference.
Dr. Hany El-Banna, cofounder of Islamic Relief, was sitting on one of the carpets in the Arab-seating styled tent, asked the question and looked right at me, sitting directly to his right on one of the cushions. Although he feigned that he may choose someone else to start, I knew he’d come back to me, and insist that I share first.
And he did…
But what was my dream? Here I was--sitting in Nairobi, Kenya, with an international crowd of people who do their bests to help those in need, and I had to share my dream. Was it fair to even suggest wanting something when in a day or two, I’d be headed to Somalia to report on people who couldn’t even muster the energy for a dream?
But, this was Dr. El-Banna, and I knew there was a greater purpose to this exercise—I also knew he would not let me or anyone else off the hook. So, I shared a dream that was relevant yet general enough so that the others could relate: “I want to live my life in such a way that I make my parents proud and please Allah (swt).”
Dr. El-Banna agreed that it was a commendable dream, and one that many of the others likely shared, but, as he stretched his leg out to a more comfortable sitting position, he noted that he wanted something more specific. So, I added, “I want to be able to live in Palestine as a free and equal citizen.”
Zahra Hassan, from Women of the Horn and Somali Relief and Development Fund, was sitting next to me, and nodded a confirming yes, whispering, “That is what I want too.”
She wanted it for herself in her hometown of Mogadishu, Somalia. She had just returned from a six-day relief trip there, and told me that she hoped to return soon—for good—but to a Somalia that was the place of dreams she had always though it to be: a place of vivid culture and colors, that had one of the most sophisticated telecommunications systems in Africa and has potential that extends beyond; a place and a people now suffering through the worst drought in 60 years, and the focus of this humanitarian aid gathering.
She wanted it for herself in her hometown of Mogadishu, Somalia. She had just returned from a six-day relief trip there, and told me that she hoped to return soon—for good—but to a Somalia that was the place of dreams she had always though it to be: a place of vivid culture and colors, that had one of the most sophisticated telecommunications systems in Africa and has potential that extends beyond; a place and a people now suffering through the worst drought in 60 years, and the focus of this humanitarian aid gathering.
At the 2nd Wider Consultation with Kenyan Muslim Civil Society conference earlier in the day during which Zahra presented information about her recent trip to Somalia, she relayed that the conditions on the ground are beyond imagine-able: "Famine is spreading across Somalia; thousands don't know when they'll get their next meal." She added, "In October or November, if the rain comes, all those people will face another disaster—the spreading of disease."
Dr. El-Banna, who had been in Mogadishu with Zahra and had witnessed first-hand how sincere and dedicated she was to providing relief in Somalia, told the crowd, “This woman did the work of 1,000 men.” Although I had never met her until that moment, I had no doubt that she had. Masha’Allah.
Dr. El-Banna, who had been in Mogadishu with Zahra and had witnessed first-hand how sincere and dedicated she was to providing relief in Somalia, told the crowd, “This woman did the work of 1,000 men.” Although I had never met her until that moment, I had no doubt that she had. Masha’Allah.
This trip was the first she had been able to make to Somalia in 20 years; soon, she'll be making her second visit in about a month.
And, insha'Allah, Zahra soon be able to realize her ultimate dream. That circle of 20 people or so—from Australia, England, Ireland, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Pakistan—sitting together in a tent in Nairobi, were all there to work toward that dream for her and for millions of Somalis who shared her vision.
And, insha'Allah, Zahra soon be able to realize her ultimate dream. That circle of 20 people or so—from Australia, England, Ireland, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Pakistan—sitting together in a tent in Nairobi, were all there to work toward that dream for her and for millions of Somalis who shared her vision.
Dr. El-Banna dream-sharing exercise had introduced also helped us all realize that the similarities of our dreams far outweighed the differences: Simply, we all want to please Allah (swt) by acting humanely and by promoting the spirit of humanitarianism in everything we do. We know that dream is also shared by our generous communities of supporters—who donate their prayers, kind words and charitable gifts to help us help others.
At 11 p.m. local time, the circle finally rose to head home and to wish two of our Islamic Relief colleagues from Birmingham, England, a safe trip to Somalia—they were preparing to head there at 5 a.m. the next morning. Our wishes of safe travels to our new friends carried with them the spirit of the humanitarian dreams we had expressed that evening—for several of us, like Dr. El-Banna and Zahra, the salutations also hinted at what they already knew the Birmingham team would soon experience; for others, like me and my Islamic Relief USA colleagues, Ridwan, Waleed, Anwar and Ahmed, this send off helped us emotionally prepare for our trip soon to follow.
The good-byes also served as acknowledgement that, while we will continue to strive toward our dreams, we are not naive about the amount of work it will take to get there: the damage that has been done in Somalia and throughout East Africa is massive, and there is much more likely to occur. Knowing that there are many all over the world who will do what they can to assist when and where it is needed, however, assured us all that together we can make a world of difference.
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