Yumna Moosa – yumna@radioislam.co.za

 17 February 2023 | 2 minute read | 23:00CAT

Radio Islam’s Habib Bobat has been on the scene in Syria and Turkey after an earthquake that devested the two countries, leaving thousands killed and many more injured. In this segment he relates that the stadiums and parks within the towns have been converted into campsites. These sites are equip with high-quality tents, electricity and meal stations that provide those affected with meals throughout the day. Food parcels, hampers and essentials have also been distributed.

Joining Molana Bobat at the scene was Molana Bilal, with this report focusing on the positivity they have seen over the course of their visit. They relate a unique incident that took place in a village Jindires, Syria

We were walking down a street amidst rubble, and we noticed a middle-aged man sitting on the side of the road. He had a mattress and a little bit of food next to him. We approached him and greeted him, and he explained what unfolded before the earthquake. He says when he experienced the first shudder of the earthquake he grabbed his child and took his wife, and ran down the staircase. By the time they came to the third flight of stairs, their house crumbled behind them. In that frenzy they were able to escape from the house itself. He says he started counting his family members and it was then that he realized his two sons and mother was not there. They began their search in the dark of night to find their family members, and after 14 hours, they found them safe and well. When he asked them how they spent the 14  hours, they said they comforted one another. The mother then related that one of her sons said that it was the time for salah, but asked how to read salah in all the rubble. The grandmother then said to perform salah in whatever condition they were in.

Listen to the full interview with Molana Habib Bobat on the Radio Islam International SoundCloud