Yusuf Omar |11 July 2017 (4 min read)

In an age when the Muslim name has been tarnished by western media, there are some stories that manage to break through the wall of criticism and offer a radiating light. One such story is the story of Mohamed Bzeek.

Mohamed, 62, has spent the last twenty two years caring for terminally ill children. Since 1995, the Libyan born widower has taken more than 40 terminally ill children into his care.

This amazing service to humanity has made him a hero in his community.

Neil Zanville of the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services says “He might be the only individual in LA county, that will provide a home environment and provide love and care when a child in fact has very limited time left.”

It hasn’t been an easy road for Mohamed as he buried about 10 of these foster children, some dying in his arms. Despite the continuous heartbreak, it is his desire to stay by their side that allows him to keep going.

“To me, death is part of life. And I’m glad that I help these kids go through this period of his time, you know? And I help him. I be with him. I comfort him. I love him or her. And until he pass away, I am with him and make him feel he has a family and he has somebody who cares about him and loves him.”

In the early years, Mohamed’s late wife assisted him greatly in caring for such children. Since she passed away, he has continued this enviable service to mankind.

Some of the children that were under the care of Mohamed was a boy that visited the hospital at least 160 times in his 8 year life. He could never eat solid food but Mohamed and his wife would make him sit at the table with a spoon and plate so that he felt part of the family.

There was a girl with a brain condition that only survived 8 days after the Bzeeks took her in. Mohamed carried her body in his hands like a shoe box.

Mohamed says that the key lies in loving these kids. He knows that they will not live for a very long time but he puts in the effort and leaves the rest to Allah.

Currently, Mohamed spends long days and sleepless nights caring for a bedridden 6-year-old foster girl with a rare brain defect. She’s blind and deaf. She has daily seizures. Her arms and legs are paralyzed.

“I know she can’t hear, can’t see, but I always talk to her,” he said. “I’m always holding her, playing with her, touching her. … She has feelings. She has a soul. She’s a human being.”

Last year, Mohamed was diagnosed with colon cancer. He says that he felt lonely knowing that there was no one there for him. For the first time, he could feel how these children feel their entire lives.

The angel of Los Angeles has played down the praises and attributed his efforts to Islam.

“It’s the big factor, my faith, because I believe as a Muslim we need to extend our hand to help people who need us. Doesn’t matter what nationality, what religion, what country. To me it doesn’t matter, I do it as a human being for another human being”

“The key is, you have to love them like your own.”

— Mohamed Bzeek

Yusuf Omar resides in South Africa and holds a BA in Islamic sciences. He is currently a writer/presenter at Radio Islam. He loves playing with words and has an interest in fine arts. He also believes in mermaids. Check out some of his other articles here. Interact with him on Twitter and Instagram.