The truth is on the side of the oppressed

“They recite the Quran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and only pause for salat”. Today I witnessed dignity in its most sublime. There was a man who lived here in the Emirates some years ago. A Bedouin Arab, a man of real character, respect and a heart of humility. But even more so than these traits I hear that he was a man of extraordinary vision, who was fortunate enough to have the resources and knowhow to turn his dream into reality.

That man was Sheikh Zayed and the Quran that is recited is over his body at his most peaceful resting place which is situated by the Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhbai. A Mosque so beautiful in all its glory that from the outskirts of the Capital at a distance is picturesque and unreal looking as it glows beneath the misty haze of the Emirati sunset. This was my second visit to the Mosque and on both occasions I was lucky enough to have had time between meetings to wonder around and offer the mid-morning (dhur) prayer. A huge Mosque made almost entirely of magnificent white marble so strong in its color that I was forced to squint when looking out across the court, so not to hurt my eyes.

Sure, Dubai has the opulent Burj al Arab and the soaring Burj Khalifah as instantly recognizable symbols of its well known sophistication and grandeur. But Abu Dhabi has the Zayed Mosque a testament to its majesty and a fitting tribute to a man who was regarded as not just the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi but as the father of the United Arab Emirates. In fact, looking back over the last sentence it is clear that his legacy lives on even in the name of his nation, after all he was responsible for putting ‘United’ into the ‘Arab Emirates’.

So when I visited the mosque and walked up to the mausoleum which houses his immaculately kept sarcophagus I was filled with a deep sense of respect not just for the individual but also for the family which had valued his worth enough so as to give him such a splendid resting place, frequented by visitors from around the world. So, as I stood and I witnessed the honor of Sheikh Zayed, my mind took flight and journeyed eastward to the land of Hijaz and to the city which played host to the most honorable man, for the most honorable cause, who left behind him the most honorable family. And as I found myself walking along the holy streets of the holy city and entering onto the holy grounds of the holy mosque and I made my way up to the holy cemetery and witnessed before me… nothingness emptiness, barrenness, and loneliness . This was the reality of honor. For sure, Sheikh Zayed was responsible for the unification of all the Emirates, but what of those individuals whose direction and responsibility was from outside of this world? Those individuals who gave selflessly and unconsciously yet are forgotten with not even as much as a headstone to mark them out. And as for their sacrifices, they are considered insignificant and small.

‘Verily we have given you (O Muhammad) the abundance (in progeny). So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice. Verily your enemy shall be the one who is cut off (in progeny). Al-Kawthar

The Remembered

The forgotten