Gaza, Palestine

The soul of our souls

Jerusalem, Palestine

Through endless activism, meaningful conversations, and community engagement, Gaza has captured all of our hearts and souls. There are a few things I would like to discuss.

The notions of femininity and social justice are inherently targeted toward the white man/woman, and then to the rest of society. The targeted and purposeful oppression of innocent men, women, and children in Gaza, and the targeted and purposeful silence by the West is an alignment of their values, ethics, and moral compass. There is no question or doubt in the West and their complicity in genocide.

My field of study and work (Social Work) revolves particularly around the notion of social justice, respect for persons, and empowerment. I fail to understand how social workers justify silence during an active genocide. Social work is a predominantly white occupation, with a mortifying history of colonialism and genocide. I would prefer my future employers to come across this when they conduct background checks and be clear on my stance. So, I guess the question for me is ‘Is it hypocritical to want to change a system whilst being a part of the system’.

Today marks day 111 of the genocide in Gaza. As days go by, it’s common to feel hopeless and invaluable. Slowly, our posts decrease, our activism decreases and our hope also decreases. After educating myself through knowledgeable scholars and mental health practitioners, below are some tips to take care of your mental health and regain hope:

Allah mentions in Surah Baqarah “Oh you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient”.

My first two tips are related to the above verse,

1. Have patience in Allah’s Qadr. What is happening was always meant to happen in this way. For most, being patient in a time of calamity is never easy. Humans love to have control over their lives, so when a time comes when they have no control, it becomes easier to fall into disobedience to god. “They planned, but Allah also planned. And Allah is the best of planners”. Trust that Allah is the best planner, and makes no mistakes. Justice will prevail, if not in this life, then in the next.

2. Pray to the only one who hears. Prayer and supplication not only have an impact, but can also increase hope and resilience. As Muslims, we have full belief that Allah is always near and always ready to listen to us. When we ask God for help and ease from the pain we feel, we are mostly helping ourselves. Not only do we feel heard, but praying for Gaza and its mothers, fathers, and children can make us feel like we are making a difference. This is important in understanding that every single person and their actions matter. Allah will always hear you and is sometimes the only one who understands your pain.

3. Educating yourself. Continue to educate yourself, not only on worldly matters but also on religious matters. Understanding your pain and holistic self can remove distress from your life. Educate yourself in Islam so you become closer to Allah, and regain hope, even when all seems lost.

   ‘How does one cope with stress at a time when it seems like all hope is lost?’

   ‘The same way one fasts expecting that certainly the athan for maghrib will be called’

4. Understanding the purpose of life. Once a Muslim understands their purpose in life, everything falls in place. Our purpose is to worship Allah, and become better Muslims by each day. Use the pain and hopelessness you feel to become closer to Allah.

The healing is through our deen, it is crucial to ensure your mind, body, spirit, and soul are all interconnected through faith.

Islamic principles of wellness

-       Heart as the center of the human being

-       Connection with nature

-       Problems are opportunities

-       Internal change is essential

-       Mercy as the foundation for healing

Practical tools and practices

1.     Inkishaaf (self-awareness)

2.     Tazakiyat an-Nafs (Purification of the self/soul)

3.     Muhasabah (Self-introspection)

4.     Tadhib Al Akhlaq (Refinement of Character)

“Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”

Remember: remaining aware of what is occurring in Gaza is important, the numbness and sensitivity make you human, however, limit your social media usage if it is impacting your mental health.

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Below are some of my favourite poems along with credit to the writer:

Sometimes i force myself 
to watch something
that i know
will break my heart.
So i agonize
in my car
with a mom
i don't know
on the internet.
i hold hands with 
her grief
and think
it's the least
i can do
of she has to live it.

by Samanthalyonswrites

They turned their backs to us
as we bled to death
saying they didn't care
because we are different
so i asked them:
Is our blood not the same colour?

by Karim Wafa Al-Hussaini

Dear
Men in suits
who take their seats
at the top of the world as if
they are it's rightful owners.

How dare you flick your pens
and write off lives

as if they did not have dreams.

Are you not aware?
That his pen had lifted and it's
ink has dried
with the fate that awaits you
long before the world you wreak havoc in
came into being 

by Miss Sana Teaches

I killed a spider
not a murderous brown recluse
nor even a black widow
and if the truth were told this
was only a small
sort of papery spider
who should have run
when i picked up the book
but she didn't
and she scared me
and i smashed her

I don't think
i'm allowed

to kill something 
because i am
frightened

Allowables by Nikki Giovanni

In a house where a baby 
sleeps
there is pin drop silence
anyone who enters
respects it
it's like an unsaid code

In Palestine
there are only sounds of 
war
i wonder how the mothers do it
Can they shush the planes?
Can they whisper - the baby is asleep?
Can they say it louder so that someone hears?

by Thebarefootedbeliever

We are living in a time
where basic human rights 
are being abused,
authority is being misused,
those in power 
are silencing the truth 
and the media is of no use
It could have been me,
it could have been you,
crying for help,
praying to be rescued.
If it was happening to us
or to someone we knew
what would we want 
the world to do?

by writtenbyfa