As-salaamu Alaikum / Greetings of Peace,
I just returned from a trip to Cairo, Egypt, where Baitulmaal teams continue to prepare humanitarian aid convoys destined for our brothers and sisters in Gaza.
I was joined by Anuradha Mittal, founder and executive director of the Oakland Institute, a policy think-tank based out of California. A renowned expert on human rights, Anuradha expressed interest in our humanitarian work and arranged to meet me in Egypt.
I learned that it was her birthday that day, and she had decided to give her time and attention to the people of Gaza. This was just one of several humbling moments during this trip…
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Our first stop was the Palestine Red Crescent Hospital in Cairo, where our teams regularly visit and comfort evacuated patients from Gaza. We met our newest team member there, Riham, a Palestinian healthcare specialist who spent months working in Gaza’s hospitals under the most difficult conditions. When she was forced to evacuate from Gaza with her young children, she joined Baitulmaal’s health sector advisory team to continue to serve her people.
Riham introduced us to three patients recovering from traumatic leg injuries. I was struck by how many lower-extremity wounds I saw, and I couldn’t help but think that these types of injuries were deliberately meant to limit Palestinians’ ability to walk, run, or move.
But as we listened to their
stories and heard the pain and patience in their voices, their words moved us.
I glanced over at Anuradha, and she was in tears. I immediately understood her passion for human rights. I was moved by the patients’ resilience, and I was also moved by Anuradha’s compassion.
Our next stop was Baitulmaal’s warehouse, where our teams were preparing hygiene kits for an upcoming convoy. We spoke to the managers there, examined the supplies, and observed the assembly process – but
Anuradha stepped up and began packing boxes.
She turned her compassion
into action.
I wanted to share this experience because it is important to remember that we must keep moving forward – no matter what.
The past seven months of aid that the world sent to Gaza are just a drop in the bucket compared to what they need. Baitulmaal is still on the frontlines mobilizing emergency aid for the people of Gaza.
Samia, we must keep the momentum going. We cannot lose hope. Our compassion is needed now more than ever.
Continue to give towards humanitarian aid efforts today.
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Yousef Abdallah
Fund Development Director
Baitulmaal, Inc.
Turn Your Compassion Into Hope
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P.S. Alhamdulillah, 53 Baitulmaal trucks have crossed into Gaza over the past few months, 14 are in the queue waiting for the Rafah border to reopen, and more are on the way. Your generosity is making this possible. Please keep the compassion going.
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