Honouring My Mother's Legacy: A Journey with Muslim Charity

A small house topped with a blue roof, adjacent to a playful purple and green structure in a sunny outdoor space.

Written by Amin Ali, this heartfelt blog captures his journey with Muslim Charity to witness the masjid and madrasa sponsored by his mother, Kabirun Nessa, who is currently unwell but continues to inspire with her unwavering faith.

Starting with a Vision

In late 2022, I reached out to Muslim Charity (MC), a UK based charity regarding a project that my mother and I were passionate about. The initial idea for the project was to build a masjid but I suggested to my mother that we should build a madrasa alongside the masjid on her behalf, as I witnessed her dedication to reading the Quran daily and I would like others to continue Quran recitals on her behalf in the future. My mother is so dedicated to daily Quranic recitals that she even refrains from making any plans that would interrupt her schedule and at 82 years of age, her discipline and dedication humbles me. May Allah reward her.

Turning Plans into Action

Muslim Charity responded to my inquiry, and I had an extensive discussion with Brother Zagham about our vision for the project. Next, after MC’s due diligence I received a detailed PDF proposal that outlined the construction plans. It also highlighted the dire need for such a space in that specific community, where they were using sticks as pillars and leaves as a ceiling for their prayer area. May Allah reward the dedication of this community.

I presented the proposal to my mother and showed her the pictures. She was moved and agreed to proceed. I then transferred the necessary funds, and received confirmation and payment receipts via email and post.

Two men stand together as one hands a chocolate to a child, smiling and sharing a joyful moment.

Throughout the construction, I received photos of the various stages of progress. It was a wonderful feeling to be involved and see the project come to life. When the project was completed, Brother Zagham visited the site and video-called me to show me the finished masjid and madrasa, accompanied by the site director and the Imam. This was the moment when our dream became a reality, seeing everything live through the video call was amazing, but I had a burning desire to visit and see it in person.

Often, projects like this are completed after a loved one passes, but my hope was for my mother to witness it while she is still here with us. With the help of MC, that dream is now a reality. Now, even after she has passed, daily Quran recitals can continue in this madrasa. She has built her legacy in the afterlife with the masjid and madrasa, which is also being used for primary school education classes.

Overcoming Travel Challenges

The final step was for me to visit the site. Due to work commitments, I delayed the trip for nearly a year, but I was determined to go. I booked a flight for the first week of Ramadan, but unfortunately, my flight was cancelled two days before departure. The flights were arranged independently and MC were not responsible for these travel issues. The airline rescheduled my flight for the following week, which caused me some stress as I had an iftar planned with the community. Fortunately, Brother Zagham was very accommodating and rearranged the plans with no trouble.

Unfortunately, the airline cancelled my rescheduled flight too. I remained calm, thanks to the blessings of Ramadan, and chose to book a new flight with a more reputable airline. Although it was more expensive, it was worth it, as there were no further cancellations. Finally, everything was set, and MC rescheduled the iftar for the third time.

Two men walking together near a building, sharing a moment as they move along the path.

My flight was via Doha, and I felt very comfortable with the arrangements. Muslim Charity even arranged transport for me and took great care in ensuring my safety. I was given a secure password that only the dedicated local contact would know before I embarked on my journey from the airport, which felt like a scene from a movie, but it put me at ease.

Experiencing the Impact Firsthand

I arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon after an exhausting 18-hour journey. After a good night's rest, I was picked up at midday to visit the Gaddafi Mosque, as planned by Brother Zagham, who regularly checked in with me to ensure everything was on track.

After the prayer at the mosque, we headed to the project site. My excitement was palpable, though I might have seemed calm, as I had a nap in the car due to jet lag. When we arrived, I was not emotionally prepared for what awaited me. There were primary school children lining both sides of the road, holding thank-you placards and chanting my mother’s name at the top of their lungs. I couldn’t control my emotions as I walked through them, with the children following me in unison, shouting my mother’s name.

When I finally saw the masjid and madrasa, my mother’s name was prominently displayed in bold letters on the madrasa. Her legacy was right before me, and I needed a moment to process it.

The children then sat on the steps of the madrasa, and I was introduced to them by the energetic headteacher, who expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the community. During my speech, I thanked the community for their determination to learn and grow, emphasizing that without their commitment, the sponsorship wouldn’t have been meaningful. I encouraged everyone to continue striving for excellence in both education and faith, setting a standard for other organisations to follow. To top off the speech, I handed out lollipops I had brought from London, and the joy on the children’s faces warmed my heart.

The complex also included a fantastic play area for children, with swings, a merry-go-round, and a plane where their imaginations are ready to take off. I stood there for a moment, simply enjoying the sound of laughter and the excitement of the kids competing to swing higher than each other. When it started to rain, the children ran for cover inside the plane, arranging themselves as though they were about to depart. It was a delightful moment of organised chaos, and I laughed at how quickly they adapted and sat in their seats seeking shelter from the rain. I was tempted to join them in the fun, but hesitated, thinking I might be too heavy for the plane!

We held an iftar, which was sponsored by my family members and I helped distribute the meals to the children who may not have had meat in months. It was a wonderful moment of connection. The children were incredibly curious and excited to interact, and it warmed my heart to see their happiness. I had brought some oud with me, and the children were so excited that they swarmed around me, eager to try it. Despite the chaos, it was a lot of fun.

Reflections and Gratitude

On my departure day, MC arranged for me to visit a baby orphanage. This was an eye-opening experience. I was shown a two-month-old baby who had been abandoned and rescued from a ditch. The staff’s dedication was heart-warming, and I had the opportunity to feed a baby, which was a new experience for me. I also brought baby clothes and lollipops, which were appreciated by the toddlers and staff.

This trip was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. While I felt uplifted seeing the impact we made, it also humbled me, realising how much more work remains in the world. however, brick by brick we can all make a difference and that is something I have brought back with me and I hope to start a journey with a meaningful purpose.

Thank you, Muslim Charity, for being a source of warmth in a cold world.