The following comment is by a sister who responded to one of the postings we made concerning our visit to Mali. What she mentions here is applicable to all of the Muslim parts of Africa, with the possible exception of Egypt and some other parts of North Africa. Generally speaking, as Muslims we are grossly neglecting Africa, the first Muslim majority continent, while our coreligionists are covertly and overtly being robbed of their religion and cultural heritage. May we be blessed to be more concerned and involved in stemming this nefarious tide.

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Recently, I had the opportunity to accompany a team of fellow teaching candidates and Faculty of Ed. professors to Singida, Tanzania to help rehabilitate an orphanage our faculty has adopted. I went in expecting many inequities against orphaned children. The one that left my heart pierced was the reality of these children -named Fabiano, Rose and other non-indigenous European names. Many of these children wore crosses. But they were Muslim. As teachers, we’re taught of our many roles is to ensure we affirm identities and give agency to our students. These children ran to us, myself a “Hijabi” and another Kufi wearing brother, with a Qur’an primer in hand. This one boy recited verses of the Quran written at the back of the book. In the girls room, this little girl tapped her hand over the heads of some of the other girls, stating “Musalman”. When I raised my hands to my ears to ask through gestures if they prayed, one little girl called the Adhan. Another one ran, took off her shorts, and put on a longer, traditional Kanga skirt. Many of them are Muslim, its seen in their enthusiasm for Islam, but some of their names have been changed and they no longer consider themselves Muslims -overtly at least. Not only are they stripped of their religion, but also their family identity. It breaks my heart, but Allah guides and protects.

The brother on the trip stated, “Well, we can’t get angry at those that come here and help and in turn the children embrace there faith. We can only wonder, ‘Where are the Muslims?’”

Your journal answers his question. So, Alhamdulillah, of course there are many Muslims doing their part for an equitable world. May Allah bless you/them/us all, and move the entire Ummah to similar action, backed with sound intention (another struggle). Please pray for the children. Our faculty has applied for grants, please pray that they come through as the children and our team are both anticipating our return. I often wonder if we did them wrong by going, because they were devastated to see us leave, they cried as if their world crumbled, and that in no way was flattering. May Allah bless and keep them safe.