When meeting various people on the border of Turkey and in Syria I often asked the question: "How long will the Syrian conflict continue? Most would say : 'Three' , 'Five' or even 'Ten years'. What was evident from their responses -it does not seem like the conflict will end anytime soon.
Added, to this, the weather of Syria is extreme, with temperatures dropping into the minuses in winter and soaring into the thirties in summer. Then, there is the lack of drinking water, no sanitation and an irregular supply of goods. All of these factors, put together create the perfect recipe for disaster.
Taking into consideration the above factors the Al-Imdaad Foundation has undertaken to build the first South Aftican containerized village in Syria. The stone laying project for the village took place on Wednesday the 11th of September 2013 around midday in the presence of senior members of Alimdaad.
Tuesday evening we spent the night in the small border town of Killis. Up until this point we were five in our group. That evening we were joined by Ml Shabeer Saloojee DB, his two sons and another five brothers from South Africa. The total group was now thirteen.
On Wednesday morning there was initially a slight delay with our departure for the Syrain border. We waited for clearance from the border officials to say that we could come through. Around 11 o clock we made our way to the border with two minibuses. The vehicles had been provided for by IHH, a relief organistion with whom Al-Imdaad has a working relationship.
This was my second entery in to Syria. I was a bit nervous because of the previous days kidnapping and shootout. Everyone else in group seemed rather relaxed. The night before while traveling from Reyhanli to Killis, I spoked to Yaqoob Vahed, the CEO of Al-Imdaad, about my nervousness, but he comforted me by saying: ' The war generally takes place between two parties. We go in to bring relief, so we are not usually the target. But yes there are risks involved. '
Over the years, members of the Al-Imdaad Foundation have become somewhat immune to the war zone. They had taken aid to Faluja in Iraq when the Americans were bombing the city.
Through out the trip, Ml Ahmed Chouhan – a senior scholar from KwaZulu Natal and executive member of the Al-Imdaad Foundation would jokingly say: "Our youngsters say they want to go in Jihaad. Leave the battle field – when they hear the sound of the bombs, they will die from shock. "
After going through some formalities at the border we entered Syria. We were now in the Halab region: an area in which many great scholars of the past lived. We were received by freedom fighters who escorted us around for the remaining part of the day.
We made our way to the site where the containerised village is being established. It is a piece of land of about eight thousand square meters that has been generously donated by a Syrian brother. This land will be divided into nine 1 hundred home compounds – each having its own facilities for Salaah, a kitchen, ablution block, classrooms and a clinic.
These homes are referred to as containerized homes – but they are are not what we traditionally call containers. Rather, they have been constructed with a kind of fabricated board. They are called containers because they are portable and can be moved if the need be.
Already on site are 100 homes in which widows and orphans are living. These homes have been sponsored by another aid organisation. A portion of land on the site has been demarcated for the Al-Imdaad project.
When we arrived at the site we are welcomed by a group of children. We were briefed by the engineer and building constructor about work that has been done.
At the camp were a group of widows and orphans who escaped from Baidhaa, a coastal village.
They narrated to us how the regime forces entered their village one night. The men and women were separated. The men were all butchered in front of their families. Their necks were chopped off and their bodies were thrown on to the streets.
Many women were also killed. The surviving women fled with their children and just the clothes they were wearing. Not knowing where to go they wandered around looking for a place of refuge. A group of them are now in this camp, while others are still searching for a place of refuge.
We chatted to a thirteen year old boy who lost 7 family members on one occasion. He witnessed as the Assad forces slaughtered his father and six of his uncles. The boy was now learning Quraan and calling the Azaan in the camp. After chatting to us and recollecting the tragic events of the fatal day, the youngster fainted and had to be taken to the on-sight clinic.
We then proceeded to the open ground that was demarcated from the 1st South African Containerised Village. There we had a programme with Ml Ahmed Chouhan presenting a brief history of the Al-Imdaad Foundation and Ml Shabeer Saloojee deleivering the keynote address. Some locals and all the orphan children of the camp were present for the programme.
After the programme the first brick was laid by Ml Shabeer himself. Thereafter, all the members of Al-Imdaad, volunteers and even the orphans had a chance to put cement on the bricks. Ml Shabeer Saheb included them in all the activities say : "They will attract the mercy of Allah and that way this task will reach completion. "
With the construction work now underway there was a feeling of excitement in the air. The children started reciting poetry and chanted the Takbeer.
It was a great feeling being part of something positive in a region in which people have endured so much pain and grief.
We can either be from those who sit back and swear at the oppressors or we can stand up and make a difference, even if its just a small difference.
Added, to this, the weather of Syria is extreme, with temperatures dropping into the minuses in winter and soaring into the thirties in summer. Then, there is the lack of drinking water, no sanitation and an irregular supply of goods. All of these factors, put together create the perfect recipe for disaster.
Taking into consideration the above factors the Al-Imdaad Foundation has undertaken to build the first South Aftican containerized village in Syria. The stone laying project for the village took place on Wednesday the 11th of September 2013 around midday in the presence of senior members of Alimdaad.
Tuesday evening we spent the night in the small border town of Killis. Up until this point we were five in our group. That evening we were joined by Ml Shabeer Saloojee DB, his two sons and another five brothers from South Africa. The total group was now thirteen.
On Wednesday morning there was initially a slight delay with our departure for the Syrain border. We waited for clearance from the border officials to say that we could come through. Around 11 o clock we made our way to the border with two minibuses. The vehicles had been provided for by IHH, a relief organistion with whom Al-Imdaad has a working relationship.
This was my second entery in to Syria. I was a bit nervous because of the previous days kidnapping and shootout. Everyone else in group seemed rather relaxed. The night before while traveling from Reyhanli to Killis, I spoked to Yaqoob Vahed, the CEO of Al-Imdaad, about my nervousness, but he comforted me by saying: ' The war generally takes place between two parties. We go in to bring relief, so we are not usually the target. But yes there are risks involved. '
Over the years, members of the Al-Imdaad Foundation have become somewhat immune to the war zone. They had taken aid to Faluja in Iraq when the Americans were bombing the city.
Through out the trip, Ml Ahmed Chouhan – a senior scholar from KwaZulu Natal and executive member of the Al-Imdaad Foundation would jokingly say: "Our youngsters say they want to go in Jihaad. Leave the battle field – when they hear the sound of the bombs, they will die from shock. "
After going through some formalities at the border we entered Syria. We were now in the Halab region: an area in which many great scholars of the past lived. We were received by freedom fighters who escorted us around for the remaining part of the day.
We made our way to the site where the containerised village is being established. It is a piece of land of about eight thousand square meters that has been generously donated by a Syrian brother. This land will be divided into nine 1 hundred home compounds – each having its own facilities for Salaah, a kitchen, ablution block, classrooms and a clinic.
These homes are referred to as containerized homes – but they are are not what we traditionally call containers. Rather, they have been constructed with a kind of fabricated board. They are called containers because they are portable and can be moved if the need be.
Already on site are 100 homes in which widows and orphans are living. These homes have been sponsored by another aid organisation. A portion of land on the site has been demarcated for the Al-Imdaad project.
When we arrived at the site we are welcomed by a group of children. We were briefed by the engineer and building constructor about work that has been done.
At the camp were a group of widows and orphans who escaped from Baidhaa, a coastal village.
They narrated to us how the regime forces entered their village one night. The men and women were separated. The men were all butchered in front of their families. Their necks were chopped off and their bodies were thrown on to the streets.
Many women were also killed. The surviving women fled with their children and just the clothes they were wearing. Not knowing where to go they wandered around looking for a place of refuge. A group of them are now in this camp, while others are still searching for a place of refuge.
We chatted to a thirteen year old boy who lost 7 family members on one occasion. He witnessed as the Assad forces slaughtered his father and six of his uncles. The boy was now learning Quraan and calling the Azaan in the camp. After chatting to us and recollecting the tragic events of the fatal day, the youngster fainted and had to be taken to the on-sight clinic.
We then proceeded to the open ground that was demarcated from the 1st South African Containerised Village. There we had a programme with Ml Ahmed Chouhan presenting a brief history of the Al-Imdaad Foundation and Ml Shabeer Saloojee deleivering the keynote address. Some locals and all the orphan children of the camp were present for the programme.
After the programme the first brick was laid by Ml Shabeer himself. Thereafter, all the members of Al-Imdaad, volunteers and even the orphans had a chance to put cement on the bricks. Ml Shabeer Saheb included them in all the activities say : "They will attract the mercy of Allah and that way this task will reach completion. "
With the construction work now underway there was a feeling of excitement in the air. The children started reciting poetry and chanted the Takbeer.
It was a great feeling being part of something positive in a region in which people have endured so much pain and grief.
We can either be from those who sit back and swear at the oppressors or we can stand up and make a difference, even if its just a small difference.
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