Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 15-06-2017
So what is Mogadishu or Somalia like I was asked, after accompanying The Al-Imdaad Foundation to the war ravaged country.
Well it’s like any other country, but my expectations of Somalia differed to what I saw.
No, no, no. It’s not the un-tared roads, densely populated sidewalks or erratic driving that leaves you sometimes wondering, ‘how can they drive like that but still have no accident’?
Well, what I saw melted my heart. I saw compassion, benevolence and friendly people who make it a point of greeting you with the universal greeting of As-Salaam-U-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu.
I saw people who are in desperate need of humanitarian aid and made think how fortunate we are but sometimes become complacent about what we eat. We hear it often don’t we? ‘I’m sorry, I don’t eat chicken, or Dahl or spinach.’
Well the Somali’s appreciate every little they get, treasuring it like gold, are very thankful and full of praise for all the help they receive especially from the Al Imdaad Foundation who today made many orphan children smile.
Al Imdaad distributed 800 shoes and material to the orphans of Al Fajar School which is part of the Zam Zam Foundation in Mogadishu.
One little boy through a translator told Radio Islam he was elated by Al-Imdaad’s generosity and kindness.
“Allah (SWT) thanks, and thanks Al-Imdaad.”
But that’s not all. Al Imdaad also distributed about 3,000 of 12,645 food packs which includes oil, sugar rice, flower and dates to Somali’s in the Kagda region which would assist a family of 6 for about two weeks
What struck me most about these three thousand women was how they were so disciplined and appreciative of their parcels thanking us profusely as we passed them back to our waiting vehicles.
The Somali people may not have many possessions, but they have humility, appreciation and kindness, and when a cute little 3-year-old clung to me and played catch with another Al Imdaad member, giggling with elation and joy, it made everyone smile.
Isn’t that priceless?
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