|
Sun, 23 Dec 2007
Disaster Beyond Comprehension
By Yusuf
Patel, UWT Representative, South Bangladesh
 The destruction and misery caused by cyclone Sidr in South
Bangladesh is beyond human comprehension. The tidal wave gushed
through 200 KM of mainland Bangladesh resulting in the death of
thousands and millions have become homeless. Mosques have
disappeared and trees remain uprooted. One can only understand the
scale of the disaster by visiting the region.
The first village we visited to distribute aid was Rajapur 50 KM
away from the Bay of West Bengal. At first sight, I could not help
but shed a few tears. They are such innocent humble people whom the
Almighty had tested to elevate their status and rank. I tried my
best to force a smile in accordance with Prophetic teachings as
smiling is a form of charity. We came across a young lady Fatima,
who was walking with her child when the tidal wave forced them to a
tree and the child’s hands were stuck. She started to scream, "Cut
my hand and let me free" but to her mother's despair the wave swept
the child away with the tree until the mother could no longer hear
the cries. How must Fatima feel when she remembers these cries?
However, Fatima is not the only one.
Jamaluddin was walking through his village with his small daughter
when the gushing waves separate the two. The daughter cries out,
"Abba, Abba please save me" but Abba is powerless. He cannot save
the daughter. When Jamaluddin is aided with emergency relief he
sheds tears accepting the fate of the Almighty but crying, "My
relief is my daughter". In a neighboring village of Tafalbari, Sadiq
lost his seven year old son and four year old daughter. There are
thousands like Jamaluddin and Sadiq who are severely traumatised but
remain helpless homeless people awaiting consolation.
The story is endless, and the tears are insufficient. The
Bangladeshi people face a great challenge of rebuilding their lives,
homes and economy and we in the west could play a pivotal role in
alleviating their suffering. The Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT) in
conjunction with Muslim Welfare Institute (MWI) launched a half
million pound emergency appeal immediately after the cyclone. A team
comprising of myself, Shaykh Shafiqurrahman of the MWI, and Shaykh
Elyas Desai of Preston were dispatched to overview the emergency
distribution during the Eid ul-Adha occasion. We also inaugurated a
water filter system and as with all disasters, our next challenge is
to initiate long term projects and these include rebuilding homes,
mosques, providing fishing nets for self reliance, provision of
clean water and many other projects.
For further details visit www.uwt.org or phone on 0845 6522 786 or
01274 374 396.
|
Distributing Qurbani in Rajessor - Cyclone
Zone |
Distributing Qurbani in Tafalbar - Cyclone
Zone |
Download Original High Quality Images:
UWT &
MWI Representative Travelling by Sea to the Cyclone Zone
Distributing Qurbani in
Rajessor
Distributing Qurbani
in Tafalbar
Distributing Qurbani in North Begumpur (Outside Cyclone Zone)
|
