Crippling Reality

On a side and sad note, I must say that my heart constricted nightly when leaving the masjid after ‘Isha prayer, witnessing a mother and her five daughters, nine years old and younger, begging right outside the masjid. Originally from Nigeria, three of the children are crippled: one of the girls missing an arm, another girl missing both arms, and yet another missing both arms and legs. The youngest girl, with eyes as dark as black pearls and no older than four years old, just sits quietly behind one of her crippled sisters. The oldest, Halima, walks around in her jilbab, shiny scarf, and innocent smile. They are all victims, and to give in to their begging is insignificant to their suffering.

On a different night, two crippled siblings; a girl and a boy, both chant loud cries or songs to attract the worshippers. Some people pause, sympathize, and give a riyal, a smile, or a pad on the head, while others no longer affected by the misery between the Holy Sanctuary and the tallest hotel under construction towering over it, just pass them by. All in all, their presence is heart shattering, and a vivid reminder on the twisted state of affairs of the Muslims.