Editor’s Note: The conflict in Syria is still ongoing and thousands have left the country as refugees to seek asylum elsewhere. As the harsh winter ends and the weather changes to spring, the situation continues to get worse. Children are begging on the streets of Istanbul; some are starving in refugee camps. Their battle for survival continues.

Ever since the conflict erupted in Syria a couple of years ago, Syrians have witnessed bloodshed, massacres, and inhuman treatment that has forced them to flee to neighboring countries. That agonizing ordeal made them refugees moving from one place to another to find a comfortable place to reside. However, the word “comfortability” does not exist in their vocabulary anymore.

Syrian refugees have witnessed all sorts of hardships, but the most horrendous one is the fact that their situation has denied them their basic needs. This has made them dependent on the generosity of the UN and other donors that have been supporting them. The situation got worse as winter swept across the Middle East, with the most affected areas being Syria and Lebanon’s Bekaa valley. Many refugee families, unprepared, struggled to cope with the icy conditions. Many live in informal settlements where only flimsy tents separate them from the cold. They have no choice but to do what they can to get by.

Children have increased respiratory and infectious diseases due to harsh weather conditions. The Guardian news outlet, based in the UK, reported in January that the number of Syrian children refugees is already alarmingly high and that the dire situation is  compounded by more than 50,000 Palestinian children and 40,000 Lebanese refugee children.

Brothers and sisters, let us join hands and try to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are suffering. A hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (RA) says: whoever helps a believing brother in dire need in this dunya, Allah will alleviate his\her suffering on the day of judgment.” Those of you who can help in any way, please do so. As for those who are not able to do so, the most important thing that we can do is to make du’a for them and inshaallah their suffering will be alleviated, and they’ll be able to find the peace and tranquility they are yearning for.  

May we be among those who can help one another. Ameen.


Photo by Freedom House CC via Flickr

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