Rarely does reading a newspaper leave one with a positive feeling and state of mind. Reports of every feasible crime, perpertrated by fellow homosapiens are enough to incite one’s last meal to threaten abandonment and also enough to limit the intake of reading or listening to the news. However, there are times when one is pleasantly surprised and fortunate to encounter a captivating story of goodwill, compassion and hope. “Unity In Diversity” reported by Faatima Mahomed of the Rising Sun-Lenasia, proved itself to be one such story and served as my introduction to a truly inspiring group of young humanitarians and their very intriguing project.
When encountering such dynamic initiatives at ground level, one finds the conscience positively re-asserting, “Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love. For I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples,” as said Mother Theresa. This story conveys just that: a somewhat unique project in the service of humanity…a stone creating ripples.
What makes this project unique? I hear you ask. Encounter the members of this diverse team and you will comprehend the certainty of its uniqueness. A uniqueness that through its objective finds the opportunity to challenge the dictates of society, change perceptions and bridge gaps, all in the service of humanity. Over a year ago, the project BABY-Bara Alliance of Blessed Youth was born. With project members comprising physiotherapist Marilyn Bassin and her students, as well as teacher Moulana Riaz Simjee and his students…Jewish and Muslim students.
As to the birth of their project as well as the initial stages of its implementation, Moulana Simjee generously shared, “To be honest the project started by chance. I was attending a meeting and met Marilyn Bassin, a physiotherapist who has founded her own NGO, the BOIKANYO-Dion Herson Foundation, and was involved in an effort to raise funds in order to supply ‘Shona’ buggies for Cerebal Palsy children. I approached her, not knowing at the time that she was Jewish, but with the sole intent of my students and I being a part of such noble community efforts. She informed us that we could meet her and her students at the Baragwanath hospital every Friday afternoon. So, the following Friday we met at Bara, each of us accompanied by four of our students. It was at this, our first meeting, that we actually discovered that we would be working with Jewish students. The greatest part was when our Muslim students met up with these Jewish students, none of them turned away from the other. Religion came under discussion when I raised it and an interesting conversation broke out. Though, we have always steered clear of politics.”
Marilyn enthusiastically affirmed and shared, “I don’t think Moulana or I realised the effective change such a project would bring. At the hospital, we decided to pair the kids up, each pair being a Muslim and Jewish student who would pursue their objective for that afternoon in bringing cheer to those special, challenged, maimed or abused children; those children who never receive visitors. And in the interim of this project, a community outreach project, in which our kids from private schools and privileged backgrounds have the opportunity to give back to their community and society, we have watched in awe a seed of a different nature germinating. We have witnessed a comraderie and friendship founded on the desire of a common goal in serving humanity. This project opened their minds to the prejudices of media and society and enlightened them to the fact that there is another side to every story. If these kids of ours can grow up not being brainwashed by the media and not allowing the media and society to dictate to them, we have the opportunity of our youth getting right, what the adults could not; an opportunity to serve humanity in a greater way.”
With Marilyn working in the community for over twenty years and at the Baragwanath Hospital for the past four years, the project BABY, named by the students themselves, has received an overwhelmingly positive response from both the students and parents. As Moulana Simjee stated, “Parents from both the parties have no issue with the idea that their kids are working alongside Jewish or Muslim children for the betterment of the larger community.”
One of the parents, a teacher herself, Saudah Mayet positively re-inforced, “This project has been amazing for my daughter in a sense that she has had the opportunity to make a difference to these special kids as well as nurturing her ability to display compassion. I have always felt that all mothers are a community and this project has intrigued us for we have witnessed something phenomenal, our younger generation coming together for a common cause in serving humanity.”
Speaking to the students themselves, one cannot help but notice their fulfilment and enjoyment in this project. A Muslim student, Rumaanah Mayet aged 13, explained what the project has meant to her, “It has been a really good experience. By spending time with these underprivileged children, we feel like we have accomplished something good. It has also taught us to be unselfish and also it has opened for us a means to communicate with other people, teaching us that everything is not as it seems.” Gina Bassin, a 16 year old Jewish student shared her sentiments,”
It has been very fulfilling to brighten up these kids’ week. But I think one of the best parts of the project was the opportunity to work alongside Muslims of the same age group. We have never, like, been exposed to such an idea before and it was amazing. It has really changed the way we look at things.”
When questioning both Marilyn and Moulana Simjee, regarding any challenges that they have faced to date, they both concur, “There have been none, other than the hospital itself.”
Moulana Simjee further expounded, “Well, the project went from strength to strength, resulting in the first child from the Tembelilhle informal settlement, who was discharged with tracheostomy (a hole in her neck through which she breathed), being operated on in a private hospital, Netcare-The Park Lane Clinic. And thus soon after, the child was discharged. At eleven years old and unable to speak, burnt and disfigured, such efforts proved to be the humane thing to do. Alhamdulillah, it was successful. This child, who for three years could only make click noises to communicate, began to talk. This was followed shortly thereafter by another similar burnt child who is currently undergoing numerous procedures to close her tracheostomy too.
Inexplicably, last month the hospital PRO, for no given reason, contacted us, and by the time we received the email regarding the interview with the Muslim Woman Magazine, we had been instructed not to continue our efforts at the hospital and quite simply asked not to return. However, we have enlisted assistance in solving our current dilemma.” And as Marilyn passionately stated, “We won’t rest until we have come to some solution. For we have witnessed the difference it has made to these kids lives, who come charging and running towards us when we enter their wards. Not to mention, how this project has revolutionised the thinking of our kids from these private sector schools, allowing them the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and be unique in their peer groups.”
While, the immediate future of this project at Bara remains unknown, Moulana Simjee shared, “We are going to continue working together, in other projects, mainly in the outlying areas but we shall continue to keep in contact and work together in serving our community.”
In concluding both Marilyn and Moulana Simjee expressed their final sentiments. Marilyn stated, “”This project has been life changing for both the students and special children involved. While it may seem co-incidental that we were grouped together, ultimately we chose to continue together. Sadly, it was the most simplest of things and yet, had not transpired before. Hopefully, this seed will have the opportunity to blossom into a most beautiful plant. Changing and harmonising the future of our community, society and humanity at large.”
Moulana Simjee’s message was heartfelt, “I believe that, while we as Muslims, acknowledge that Islam is the best way of life, it needs to be exposed to the world. We need to understand that the beauty of Islam needs to be expressed more than it needs to be documented. Enough is written about our Islam, however, we as Muslims have forgotten how to practise on this beautiful religion. So while we do not expect the entire Ummah to join in our project, but we do expect them to be ambassadors of our beautiful religion; always exhibiting exemplary character, beautiful words and ways in their interaction with non Muslims, as was the example of our beloved Nabi Muhammad sallallahualaihiwassallam. I pray that the Almighty, Allah SWT guide us, bless us, have mercy upon us and accept our weak efforts in serving the Ummah of Muhammad sallallahualaihiwassallam and humanity at large.”
As the Prophet Muhammad sallallahualaiwassallam urged, “Be kind to those who are in this world and the One in the Heavens will show Kindness to you. For the main part of wisdom after religion is love for mankind and doing good to everyone.” (Mishkaat Al Masabih Vol1)
So as this unique group continues to create ripples through their service of humanity, we ponder the reality of such efforts, “In recognising the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” Thurgood Marshall
Extracted from my article, from the SA print mag- The Muslim Woman Magazine.
With intent on aspiring and inspiring towards the L♥√ع and Pleasure of ALLAH subhanawa’ta’ala,
Rehana Shah-Bulbulia, the author of ‘Falling In Love With Muhammad SAW’, tweets as @muslimahatpeace
Let His Love lead the way…in the Blessings of ALLAH endeavour to live your day! RSB
@muslimahatpeace
Scroll Through My Thoughts...RSB 