Kabul, Afghanistan – We will not be deterred!
The Zahra Trust team sends it’s heartfelt condolences to our awaited Imam, Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (ajtfs) and the entire Muslim ummah on the shahadat of Ameer Al-Mumineen (as).
It was reported that the only thing that could cure Imam Ali’s (as) wound was milk, and on that night all the poor people and orphans who the Imam would take care of, all arrived to his doorstep with small amounts of milk.
Even though they had little themselves they wanted to give all that they had to the Imam without a thought.
There is so much to learn from this beautiful story and perhaps it will encourage you to give to the needy on these holy nights.
This email is more of a personal note to share some background on how we at the Zahra Trust have been personally affected by the recent attack on the School in Kabul.
This is nothing new
The Dasht-e-Barchee district of Kabul has seen terrorist attacks now for three consecutive years, 2020 – A maternity ward was attacked by terrorists, 2021 – in May they bombed a school during a girls session and now 2022 they again bombed a school.
The bombing in 2021 had a massive death toll of over 85 predominantly children and 150 people injured in the blast. The heinous nature of the attack shocked the world. To attack children is one of the vile deeds that Pharaoh performed against the Bani Israel –
And [recall, O Children of Israel], when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, [who were] afflicting you with the worst torment – killing your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord. (7:141)
How we’ve been involved
As we’re a humanitarian relief organization, we started emergency relief efforts and established work in Dasht-e-Barchee. The people of the area welcomed us and asked us to bring real change. The school that had been bombed was over capacity and children couldn’t get a proper education in the institution. The Zarha Trust was asked, to help establish a school that would accommodate all children and give them a high caliber education that could bring real change.
After research and effort we purchased land and are starting to build a school. However our team on the ground decided the need is very urgent and we shouldn’t wait, so we began the school in rented accommodations. You can see in the pictures below the class rooms are packed!
Next to us, there is another school, but it is for secondary education.
Tuesday April 19, as the kids were leaving the secondary school an explosion occurred where 20+ were killed and as they ran away another two blasts occurred.
We Won’t Stop!
Each of us, is shocked, dismayed, and grief stricken by the loss of life, and especially lives that we’re working so hard to preserve and improve. Hate, and fear will not keep us away from helping those in need.
We will continue to build and strategize to teach and keep safe the students and families of Dasht-e-Barchee. Our reaction is to not leave these people alone, but to help them survive in the face of hatred. They are not alone!
How do we do it together?
Raise awareness: Let people know what’s going on, this time major media has mostly ignored this attack. Speak to people, raise awareness of the silence around injustice. Indifference destroys the humanity within us.
Offer support: Help us complete this school! Let’s make sure that if there are those who would harm these people, they know we’re here to help them!
Fight Hate: Let not any people be persecuted, care for all humanity. Teach tolerance and acceptance, protect the weak and secure their right to exist! When we see such horrible acts it should be a reminder, if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. Stay vigilant in keeping humanity alive.
It felt important to share, we as the Zahra Trust community may be hurt by such events but we won’t be stopped!
With Salaams and Duas
Sheikh Bilal Hussain & The ZT USA Team
