Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 14-06-2017
As Radio Islam and humanitarian aid organization The Al-Imdaad Foundation embark on a journey of giving, the logistics of travelling in the month of Ramadan can be exhausting.
After departing South Africa at about 6:30pm on Tuesday and making ifthar at OR Tambo International Airport, which is a unique experience in itself, we departed for Istanbul, Turkey.
Long haul flights tend to be exhausting and with it comes the necessary catering services and the usual tagline: “chicken or beef”.
The airlines cater food for all onboard, but when you are buckled up in your seat and being taxied thousands of kilometers across the world to report on a human crisis of epic proportions, it makes you wonder how much of the food goes to waste.
Somali’s are suffering. There are about 6.7 million people in need of human aid in the country and it’s the concerted efforts and compassion of the Al-Imdaad Foundation that makes a difference and provides hope that the horizon does have a silver lining.
So after arriving safely in Istanbul with the members of the Al-Imdaad team which includes the CEO Yacoob Vahed, Ml Muhammad Motala, Ml Abullah Chohan, Zaakir Rawat and fellow journalist Azhar Vadi from Salaamedia the thought of fasting once again crept up.
Having sehri, the predawn meal while flying through the air is a unique experience, that all of us cherish but it’s the Ifthar time that you really take notice of.
While in South Africa Ifthar sets in about 5:26pm, in Istanbul it’s about 8:45pm!
Indeed it’s a long day, but alas when the time draws to a close, we are assured of a meal while millions of others are not.
This is the story that Insha’Allah Radio Islam hopes to document with the Al-Imdaad Foundation, the story of human resilience and hope that there is a better tomorrow.
0 Comments