Struggles in Yemen and struggles abroad [Archives:2004/802/Community]

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December 27 2004

Alawi Abdulla Abu Bakir
[email protected]
For the Yemen Times

One wonders how the many in Yemen that have no one to help them and their cries are only to Allah the Most High. I say this because here I am in England, a country of opportunities and yet, still, it is a hard struggle that can break your heart if you forget where you came from; a country called Yemen, a history of heroes, culture and a religion called Islam that whispers to you when you fall again and again:

“Don't forget where you came from

A generation of shine stars walk with you

O Son of Yemen! I know it's hard but I know there's a way you can pull through

Call on Allah! He'll make you strong

Look back and see how far you've come

Don't forget, son of Yemen, where you came from

You have a debt to pay to the children, sisters, brother, fathers, mothers of Yemen!”

And I get up again, wipe the dirt from my jeans and jacket and start again. It's morning and I am worried already as I hear the sound of my letterbox crashing as letters fall onto the mat. I sigh to Allah because I know what they are. I walk down the few steps, lower myself, reach out to the letters and open them. All are bills and its not the end of the months yet. I walk upstairs and look the other letters, bills that too so hard to pay and still there are some not even paid and now, new ones come.

It is then, you don't know if one should cry or laugh at the way life is. Then, you remember you read an article in Yemen Times about 'servants getting a raw deal.' You wonder how they survive in the harsh life in Yemen. It is then, no vision of getting court summons, because of unpaid bills due to investing in an album. It was the only way because no one who has power threw money at you. There is no princess to come to your aid, nor heroes like 1400 years ago to help. Nor rich Arab or millionaire; such things don't happen to such as people as you.

The last day has come; the album is mixed with the grit of your teeth and you went over the time a little but the recording studio seen your hard work, knows your album is going to work and already calling people about the album, and has wavered the GBP40.00 for you to pay another time but you have that in your pocket. The last GBP40.00 you have left in the world. You don't want anymore debts. You have enough. You give him the last pounds you got and walk away with the album you've worked for, wondering where you are going to get the money to duplicate it, to print the inlay and package it ready for buyers. With no money left, you walk back home, holding that CD album like it was gold, as if you're life depends on it. You reach home two hours later and you're tired. You can hardly put your hands in your pocket to get out the key but you do and slowly turn the key in the door and you're home. It's now 11pm.

Instead of relaxing, you go straight to your computer and switch it on to see if your printer has enough ink. You go to the next room to see if there's anymore of that GBP50.00 glossy fine paper to print the inlays and polished CD sticker for the album. Good news, there's enough and enough ink and enough CD's to duplicate from your quality CD writer 100 albums. You have a good start to raise monies to support Yemeni's.

I know, it's crazy to do think of someone else, of your people when bills need to be paid. But weigh the option here. There's a roof to make this home warm, central heating. And TV, Video to sell to pay some of the debts and if it comes to it, then the furniture too. When this happens, you can still live. There's some food in fridge and bags of frozen vegetables to live on and tines of beans. But the ones in Yemen, the ones who are poor do not know where there next meal is. No food then they die. Nothing to sell if the worse kicks in. And so, with this in mind, the Soul Train is ready and Insha-Allah more will come as people buy.

Next morning comes and it's life all over again. A letter comes through the door. It can't be bills but you go to that letter and, it's a court summons. This is the life, this is how it is, and this will change Insha-Allah, for it is true; one who struggles, who gives to his people will be blessed on a day, where God will smile down one day and we'll look back at these struggling days and wonder what were we crying about.

These are days that make boys into men, girls into women, and ordinary men into heroes. You and I will die, this voice will also fade to such no one will hear me when I even say my name and these youthful fingers and face will grow lines. These are days which we save ourselves and fashion our souls to love Allah and to love Allah the Most High one must give his heart and soul for his people. Not one morseful of food my people should ever go in our mouths without reminding ourselves of the many Yemenis who struggle with pangs of hunger.

With this thought, the wife has come from visiting family and says:

“Love, is everything ok.”

“Yes,” you reply.

“Ooh! More bills” She says.

“Yes, Habibitti, more bills.” You reply

“Allah will help us Insha-Allah, yes?” She asks.

“Allah, will help, yes.” I reply.

You put on the album and realise only now, why you called it the Soul Train. Your computers tells you an email has arrived and its from Yemeni Times.

“You have our support.”

And these words mean more than the gems, diamonds, and money in the world and refuel you to face another day to fight again. Suddenly, you hear Yemen sing to you again from other end of the world:

“Don't forget where you came from

A generation of shine stars walk with you

O Son of Yemen! I know it's hard but I know there's a way you can pull through

Call on Allah! He'll make you strong

Look back and see how far you've come

Don't forget, son of Yemen, where you came from

You have a debt to pay to the children, sisters, brother, fathers, mothers of Yemen!

Don't ever forget where you come from.”

I thank Yemen Times fore there has never been one who had faith in me as Yemeni Times. Without such support, I would not been able to get the message across nor get this album out. Indeed, this is where newspaper and community comes together, hand in hand for the prosperity of our people.
——
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