Maui wildfires: We must unite in the face of adversity | Voices of Faith
The forces of nature have struck again, igniting the recent Maui wildfires. This devastating tragedy has claimed over 100 lives with nearly 400 individuals still missing.
This catastrophe is not only the worst natural disaster in Hawaiian history, but one of the deadliest fires in the United States. After the Maui wildfires, Hawaiians are dealing with losing their loved ones, homes, schools, businesses, vehicles and more. It is so severe that people have been displaced from what they once called “home.”
In times like these, coming together as a community to support and help one another is crucial. We must foster a stronger community, one that faces adversity with resilience.
The frequency of natural disasters seems to increase yearly. I have witnessed my fair share of such events.
When Hurricane Harvey struck in 2017, I observed the many initiatives taken to help those who were affected. My school had a donation drive to collect items to help those who lost their belongings in the storm. Even though the hurricane primarily affected Texas and Louisiana, the whole country came together to help those who were affected.
Influencers, educators, neighborhoods — everyone seemed united in their determination to assist. All those efforts to help those victimized by that awful disaster left me inspired, especially as it did not directly affect Ohio.
As a born Muslim (follower of Islam), helping others has been instilled in me from a young age. As a child, when visiting the mosque, my mom would give my sisters and I some money to put in the donation box. One of my favorite parts of going to the mosque back then was slipping that $5 bill into that wooden donation box.
Additionally, my mom would collect the clothes we outgrew or didn't want and donate them to charity. She always emphasized the importance of helping others through actions and taught us to always help those who are less fortunate.
In Islam, this act of generosity holds a place of honor in the eyes of Allah (God). Those who selflessly extend their support to help others are promised a great reward from their creator, whether it be granted in the present life or reserved for the hereafter.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) stated: “Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
These translated words serve as a message that our actions of selflessness and assistance are valued by God. Whether you practice Islam, another religion or hold no religious beliefs, extending a helping hand to the people in Maui or others in need is a testament to our humanity.
These wildfires in Maui serve as a reminder that we must unite as one cohesive force when faced with adversity, whether that be in the light of a natural disaster or any other hardship. Through unity and compassion toward others’ suffering, we can create resilient communities capable of facing any challenge head-on.
Helping those affected by the Maui wildfires can be as easy as donating to the Hawaii Community Foundation (https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong) — a group with a strong understanding of the local Hawaiian community. It is working to help provide food, shelter, clothing and other support to those who have lost everything.
It is only by coming together and embracing the principles of unity and compassion that we can help build a stronger, more supportive society.
Youssra Abdrabou is the public relations intern for the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Maui wildfires: Banding together in the face of adversity
