The Blessed Lands
The people of Shaam and Yemen were particularly dear to the Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) heart, and he used to pray for these blessed lands. Yet today, these lands are suffering due to conflict, displacement and impoverishment.
The 8 year war in Yemen created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world where two thirds’ Yemenis cannot afford to buy food and more than 11 million children in need of one or more forms of humanitarian assistance. Intervention is vital if millions of people are to survive, with women and children being the most vulnerable.
Bread is a staple food in conflict regions such as Yemen and is a contributing factor in reducing food insecurity for millions. Abdul Rahman Hussein, Country Director Yemen Programmes, said:
“Bread is a staple food we take for granted but in Yemen it can save lives. For many Yemenis the bread factory will provide the only meal they will have in the day. This basic item will stop thousands of people starving. All the running costs of the project are covered by Muslim Hands, and with our donors supporting they are helping to alleviate hunger, provide stability and normality to communities that have been devastated by years of conflict”.
Here is one such story explaining the impact you can make by donating towards the plight of the Yemenis.
Shams Albaydani is a widow in her sixties and the sole carer for three adult sons with both physical and mental disabilities. Her sons depend on her completely, but her only income is her late husband’s small pension.
The family have been beneficiaries of our Bread Factory in Aden, Yemen for over two years. With regular bread donations, Shams and her sons have one less thing to worry about. They now have extra income and can enjoy other food items such as yogurt, eggs and jam. Her sons enjoy the bread and will have it when it’s been soaked in milk, making it easier for them to chew whilst filling them up quickly.
When asked how her family copes, Shams says, ‘Alhamdulillah. If He [Allah] gives then we eat, if he doesn’t, we don’t.’
As with the thousands of mothers receiving bread from our bakeries across Yemen, your donations are a lifesaver for Shams and her children, ‘I thanks the donors for providing us a lifeline and I pray for them and their children. In my eyes the donors are better than the people of Yemen.’
Since 2015, we have expanded our work to provide clean water, food, healthcare and education across five governorates and it is all thanks to your donations. We are fighting hunger through our bread factories, supplying 25,000 loaves of daily bread to Yemen’s most vulnerable groups, treating malnutrition through our clinics and school feeding programme and supporting orphans and children with disabilities through our school and sponsorships. This is alongside our emergency distributions which take place all year round.
It is our responsibility and our honour to support ‘our Shaam’ and ‘our Yemen’. From making du’a to raising awareness to giving charity, there is so much you can do to help. Not only will you be providing vital relief and saving lives, but you will also be drawing closer to the Prophet (saw) by loving and serving the people whom he loved. Your Zakat and Sadaqah are essential to supporting orphans, widows and war-torn communities.
We urge you to give generously to the people the Prophet (saw) prayed for. Don’t forget them in their hour of need.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘O Allah, bless us in our Shaam! O Allah, bless us in our Yemen!’ [Tirmidhi]
