Today, I got lost.

Eyes on the Destination.

Today, I got lost. It rarely happens these days for us to get lost while driving, but my GPS has been stolen 2 times and my cracked pantech can barely send texts properly. And so, it was just me and the road. When I was first learning to drive I actually used to get lost often...and although I don't get lost as much now I noticed I still do something similarly every time I get lost. I keep driving. I don't pull over and look around. I don't ask anyone for help. I don't stop and think. I just drive. And I get more and more lost. And now that I think about it, I can't help but parallel this to our journey in the dunya. It's easy to keep going on the same path, to ignore the fact that we're lost and continue driving. It's easy to miss those "exits" that are placed so perfectly to help us get back. It takes effort to make that stop: to realize where you are in the world and turn around if you have to. So today I learned that sometimes you have to take your foot of the gas, remember your destination, and just turn around.

“And He found you lost, and guided you” 

[Quran | 93:7] 

Our Forgotten Brothers and Sisters

We hear the name once or twice and we see one or two images on Facebook, but do we really understand the unspeakable tragedy that the Rohingya Muslims are facing in Burma? It seems however, finding information about the crisis is very difficult as there is a flagrant inattention by many news media outlets to the heartbreaking tragedy occurring in this region. Without a doubt however, and as the UN claims, the Rohingya Muslims are the most persecuted group of people in the world today. But how did this happen, and what exactly do the Muslims in Burma face on a daily basis?

To start, Burma (or Myanmar), is located between South Asia and South East Asia bordering India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. The population is about 52 million people with the predominant ethnic group being the Buddhist Burmese followed by those of the Islamic faith which number about 10 million people. The country achieved its independence from Britain in 1948 but power was then transferred to the Burma Socialist Programme Party. Eventually this party was replaced by two councils the most recent being the SPDC or “State Peace and Development Council” which ironically was not very successful in restoring the peace and easing the already growing tensions between many ethnic groups. This regime, the SPDC, is widely accused for its human rights abuses against many of these groups specifically those living in Rakhine State—the state in western Burma with the largest population of Muslims.

Now that you understand a little bit of the history, it’s important to visualize and comprehend what exactly the Muslims are facing in Burma as a result of laws set by Burmese Buddhists. The Muslims in Burma are denied identity cards; this means they are not considered citizens. Despite the fact that their forefathers have lived there for centuries, the Muslims in Burma are constantly faced with intimidation, abuse, interrogation, and military violence. Imagine that–living in country that not only does not recognize you as a citizen, but also constantly terrorizes your land and your family. Hundreds of villages have been destroyed and burned and over 90,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The Rohingya are banned from traveling freely, marrying freely, practicing religion freely, having healthcare, obtaining jobs, pursuing higher education, obtaining motor vehicles, and even using a mobile phone! It’s safe to say they are being stripped away from their freedom and are placed in a state of constant oppression.

There is still hope.

Many have attempted fleeing to Bangladesh, but it seems they are being rejected there as well. Countless families have taken leaking boats to sea in an attempt to travel across the border, but are ultimately turned around by the military and forced to return where they are not welcome. Several families have told stories of even being attacked at sea without even making it back. All this has been happening while the international community remains silent to the atrocities. Burma won’t let in independent observers and information is scarce about the situation, but that does mean we should turn our backs to the most forgotten and persecuted people on the planet.

Although a new government took over under Mr. Thein Sein in March 2011, the Parliament is still largely controlled by the military-backed ruling party. At this point, dialogue, generosity, and prayer are of the few ways we can help those fighting for their rights in Burma. First and foremost, spread awareness. Tweet about the cause, share videos, and inform those that are unaware. Knowledge is the first step to action. Secondly, donate. Visit RescueRohingya.com and contribute what you can, any amount can make a difference. Lastly, pray. Pray for all those oppressed to gain their freedom and live in a state of peace and equality. Pray for the truth to prevail and remember to never ignore injustice, wherever it may be.

Peace: the destination and the means.

Photo taken at Walk for Children of Syria in Chicago.

So often we hear the word peace. The struggle for peace. So often we see the V sign symbolizing peace–raised proudly next to a smiling face or firmly in the face of oppression. Can peace be felt and grasped or is it a lingering intangible that always lies at the end of our quests? Will peace stand the test of time or will time test the peace that remains? Is peace the expression of love and harmony itself, or is it the outcome, the result, of hope and justice. To me, peace is both. Peace is the struggle and peace is the fruitful yield. Peace is the visible smile and the silent invisible joy of a relaxed heart. Peace is the destination, but peace is also the means. For love and truth to prevail, we must have the goal of peace in mind. And as we travel on this road to peace, we must join hands in the struggle, shake hands in the agreement, and raise the peace sign in that moment when we reach it. That moment of peace.