Without even knowing, while perceiving you are powerful, you are in fact deaf, dumb and blind. Your ears are plugged so the truth is blocked from being heard, with your eyes closed you become blind to reality, and while your cold heart is sealed, you perpetuate hurt and feel no empathy. You wreak havoc as you swing your loaded guns here, there and everywhere, triggered by the slightest of disturbances, oblivious to the destruction you cause. When you’re not centered correctly, not tethered to a Higher Power, nor grounded by humanity, you take command from none other than arrogant agendas, and are guided by greed.

And so, marches of war with heavy artillery lead to marches of death with tiny coffins.

Songs in the streets that once brought delight to the heart are replaced by cries that pierce it and squeals of laughter, with agonizing anguish. Bloodshot eyes searching for help only find hospitals with deceased doctors and spilled medicines from shattered bottles.

What a time this is when one reporting that truth faces more danger than a soldier in the direct line of fire. Smart technology is in the hands of the ignorant, personal devices are as deadly as steered missiles, and the power of propaganda is narrated by the narcissist.

Oh, but promises were made for those who side with integrity by the One who is the King of us all, promises seen fulfilled in the past if you reflect, with your eyes, ears and heart. And this gives me nothing less than my formidable faith and bold bravery.

Nothing short than a miraculous gift, I have a special time when the world sleeps, but the Master of the Universe directly listens to the whispers of my aching heart and can open a window through which I can communicate with Him. I have in my vault an arrow that does not miss its target; A prayer made on my knees, with head to the dust, and tears soaking the ground, that brings forth glorious, unexpected victory as the icon of warriors told his armies.  And my plea to the Almighty becomes mightier than your weapons of mass destruction.

In the face of fierce tanks, my courage will make you quiver. With loaded arms pointed at me, I walk even taller towards the enemy. Lies to defame me are spread in print, press and word, yet I remain calm for I know He will reveal the truth you tried to bury, and the displayed banners of your falsehood will fall. In my small, single being I have more strength than your masses combined.

When the ink has dried on this era and you and I are long gone, you will then see what being on the wrong side of history will have cost you. You will see that principle did prevail, that the courageous innocents were victorious despite all odds. The once glistening empires with all their seemingly indestructible might will have crumbled into heaps of dull remnants of glory.

There is no might nor height worthy in front of Him and His Plan. Nothing will change His Decree. His Promise will be fulfilled. The oppressed, in tragedies hidden and in those that openly shook the world, those no one witnessed and those that went viral, will triumph.

Your day of reckoning will be my day of rejoice and your deep regret, my overwhelming relief.

About the Author:

Aatika is a second generation Muslim American who strives to make her local and global community a better place, break stigmas that hold us back and engage in civic duty to unify. She holds a M.Sc. in Adolescent Psychology and has been working in the field of education administration for over 15 years in Islamic Schools. She remains involved in Islamic work through volunteering in various projects, relief work and writing, and is a continuous student of Islam. She is raising three children in NJ.

Instagram handle @aatikach

The post The Promise Made To Me (Ode to Gaza) appeared first on World Hijab Day.

There are three major events which have caused the current rise in Islamophobia across the globe as well as a high alert on terrorism activities: firstly, Hamas’ attack on Israel and vise versa; secondly, the attack on a six-year-old Palestinian boy in the USA and thirdly, the terrorist attack on two Swedes in Brussels. 

“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is the most common chant in all of the pro-Palestine demonstrations. Regardless of some governments like that of the UK and France, who have attempted preventing the raising of the Palestinian flag, there have been waves of pro-Palestine protests around the world, sending a surge of thousands and at times, millions, down the streets of their country, raising the Palestinian flags, instilling hope for humanity within themselves, the people around them and the Palestinian people. At least 22 countries have urged Israel to stop bombing the Gaza strip. 

However, such bold actions, whereby the masses are protesting against their government’s decision to continue funding the Israeli occupation and destruction (ethnic cleansing) of the Palestinian people, come with detrimental consequences. As a result, much like the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Muslims and Arabs across America are experiencing yet again, a rise in discrimination due to their support of Palestine. 

Even law enforcement officers are randomly visiting mosques just as they have surveillanced Muslim and Arab communities following the fall of the World Trade Center. While some Palestinian people are also being detained and pro-Palestine protests continue in the USA, there are pro-Israel protests. There is a difference though: while pro-Palestine demonstrators chanted, “Jews, yes. Zionism, no!” one pro-Israel woman yelled, “You are sick people, you are animals, you don’t deserve to be here.” Such incidents caused a high alert on a rise for hate crimes, including a precaution whereby Columbia University is currently shut down to the public. 

Countries all over Europe and America seem to be on high alert for a possible outbreak of hate crimes. I heard on the Swedish radio news, how Sweden is taking preventative measures against hate crimes by opening up forums for Jewish and Muslim youth to sit down and hear each other’s perspectives on the crisis. May Allah free Palestine and help the world rediscover its human emotions against desensitization, Ameen. 

Furthermore, a six-year-old Palestinian American boy, Wadea al-Fayoume, fell fatally victim to a stabbing attack. The murderer was Wadea’s landlord, 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba, who yelled, “You Muslims must die ” before stabbing him and his mother, 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin, who is currently in critical condition at the hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Czuba was charged and is currently in trial for his hate crime. Meanwhile, Hanaan is expected to survive. The incident between Joseph and Hanaan escalated when they began talking about Hamas and Israel, after which Hanaan suggested to Joseph that the two “pray for peace.” May Wadea be in Jannatul-Firdous right now, Ameen. May Allah give his mother the comfort in knowing that she did everything she could to protect her son and that he is in a better place now, Ameen. 

Two days following the brutal attack of Wadea, Brussels experienced a “terror” attack. Abdesalem Lassoued, a Tunisian claiming to be part of the Islamic State (IS), killed two Swedish nationals before escaping via his scooter. He was later found and shot dead by authorities. Sweden has been on high alert for a possible terrorist attack since August, following the intensified Quran burning incidents.  However, quran burnings have been happening throughout Sweden these past few years, first instated by Danish-Swedish Politician Stram Kurs Paludan. Debates whether or not to consider this “hate speech” or “freedom of speech” continue. May Allah diminish hate in the world and instill love in its place, Ameen. 

Here are the protection verses from the Quran which you should recite before sleeping, before leaving your location to go to the next one, if you feel fear and for your children. Stay alert. Stay safe. Do not let your hope and courage waver. Our duas are with you at these trying times. 

About the Author:

Rumki Chowdhury is Editor of World Hijab Day Organization. Moreover, she is a professional editor and an award-winning published author and poet. She has an MA in English Literature from Queen Mary University of London, a BA in English Writing from William Paterson University of New Jersey and an English Subject Teaching Degree from Gävle Högskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. She speaks Bengali and Swedish fluently! She has years of experience in the media and publishing worlds. Rumki lives with her husband and their three daughters.

Instagram and Facebook @rumkitheauthor
Twitter @rumkichowdhury

The post Islamophobia at an all time high appeared first on World Hijab Day.