Same Day, Different Reality

I woke up in the morning to the sound of birds outside my window.
And I thought of those who wake to the sound of explosions.

I turned on the tap and waited for warm water to flow.
And I thought of those searching for a single drop of clean water.

I stood in the kitchen deciding what to eat for breakfast.
And I thought of those wondering whether there would be anything to eat at all.

I kissed my loved ones before leaving home.
And I thought of those who have kissed their loved ones goodbye for the last time.

I sat in traffic and complained about being late.
And I thought of those navigating streets reduced to rubble, never knowing whether they would return alive.

I opened my laptop and began another day of work.
And I thought of those whose future has been reduced to a struggle for survival.

I met friends for lunch and spent several minutes deciding where to eat.
And I thought of those who would be grateful for a piece of bread.

I walked past a playground filled with laughter.
And I thought of children buried beneath concrete, whose laughter has been silenced.

I passed a hospital and watched patients come and go.
And I thought of hospitals that have become places of death instead of healing.

I entered a place of worship and felt safe.
And I thought of those praying among ruins.

I returned home and was greeted by smiles.
And I thought of those returning to empty spaces where homes once stood.

As night fell, I switched on the lights, adjusted the air conditioning, and prepared to rest.
And I thought of those sitting in darkness, exposed to fear, hunger, uncertainty, and grief.

Eventually I lay down in bed.
I thought about tomorrow.
I thought about the plans I had yet to complete.
I thought about the people I hoped to see.

Then I wondered what it must be like to fall asleep not knowing whether you would wake up the next morning.

What would it do to a person to live that way?

What would it do to a parent?

What would it do to a child?

The frightening thing is not that such suffering exists.

The frightening thing is how quickly we become accustomed to seeing it.

How easily we continue eating while watching children pulled from beneath rubble.

How quickly we scroll past images that would haunt us forever if they were our own families.

How effortlessly we return to our routines while others are living through a nightmare.

May Allah forgive us for our heedlessness.

May He protect the oppressed, grant relief to those who suffer, heal the wounded, have mercy on those who have been killed, and bring justice where injustice prevails.

May Allah save the people of Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and Sudan..

Āmīn.

Aydarus Alhabshi
Nov 7, 2023