Voice of British Muslim Women

Maria Anwar, Bradford South

There is a devastating acronym being used in Gaza: WCNSF – Wounded Child No Surviving Family. A paediatric intensive care doctor from Doctors Without Borders described the situation as “an avalanche of human suffering” which is 100% manmade. i

The world powers who were so vocal in their condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have flipped the script when it comes to Israel’s ongoing bombardment of the Gaza strip and atrocities in the Occupied West Bank.

In his farewell sermon, the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reminded those present that all human beings have equal value in the sight of God. He said, “Allah has made you brethren one to another, so be not divided. An Arab has no preference over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred to a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one.ii”

It is with great shame that in today’s world, ethnicity is a deciding factor of whether you are worthy of support or not.

His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) stated in his Friday Sermon of 27th October 2023:

“The manner in which this war is progressing and the policies which Israel and other big powers are enacting make a world war an imminent reality…If a wise policy is not implemented immediately, then the world will be destroyed.” iii

Over the past 20 years, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) has continuously warned the world that unless justice is upheld, unless governments forego their vested interests, we are headed towards a third world war. Alongside these warnings, he has also given us the remedy. We must recognise our Creator and do our duty to humanity; because if our goal is to serve God, we will automatically serve our fellow human beings with justice and kindness and without discrimination. We must be the #voicesforpeace. And there is hope in humanity. We currently are witnessing a collective outcry across the world, as people are voicing their concerns at the injustices committed against innocent civilians in Gaza.

At the heart of the Islamic remedy is prayer. The Holy Qur’an says,

“And seek help with patience and prayer; and this indeed is hard except for those humble in spirit.”iv

If global powers continue to be steeped in greed, how can they humble themselves? It is becoming clear that the world cannot expect any help from them. Believers, however, must take heart from this verse. With humble prayers, we can insulate our hearts and homes against darkness and corruption and speak out against injustice. Although, it is difficult not to become engulfed in hopelessness and despair when you open a newspaper or turn on the television, only to realise that greed and politics is valued higher than human life, believers are told not to despair. Despair is a tool of satan, who wants nothing more than seeing us broken. Historically, the truthful were small in number and of humble beginnings, but they succeeded because God was with them. As His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) has emphatically reminded us, time and again, we must utilise the weapon of prayer to the fullest in order to save the world.

i BBC News, 1/11/23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PhrmfAVwQ

ii Khan, Muhammad Zafrulla: Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets, https://www.alislam.org/book/muhammad-seal-prophets/farewell/

iii https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2023-10-27.html iv Chapter 2, verse 46