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May I  introduce …  Arfa

Arfa lives around the corner from us in the crowded illegal squatter area we call home.  In talking about her life, Arfa explained that she used to live much more comfortably, but her husband was cheated of his life savings, and then died.  Arfa has raised ten children, only to see five of them perish as small children and two as adults.  She went on to ask me why God has cursed her?  It's hard to argue that God actually loves her deeply and personally – I know He does, but how can she know?  She is very devout in fasting during Ramzaan, in hope of improving her fate.

In the five or so years that I have known Arfa, her daughter died leaving four young grandchildren in her care, and her mentally disabled adult son died suddenly (just when we were on the brink of getting a disability pension for him).  She manages the household on the earnings of her one remaining son, supplemented by her widow's pension and occasional earnings from her younger daughter.  Her elder daughter is profoundly deaf, and takes care of the housework.  Two of her grandchildren are now cared for and educated at a Christian hostel for girls.

Despite her incredible story of pain and loss, Arfa is a feisty, friendly woman, with a dry sense of humour.   She claims that you have to either laugh or cry at life, and you might as well laugh.  She is also a good manager of resources and takes initiative to get what she needs, so despite being illiterate, has managed to get the widows pension, buy a legal block of land (the colony we all live in is built on government land) and almost build a small house there (see photo (L-R: Bibbo, Arfa and Shavez)).  Even though they can't move there yet, it is a great provision for their future, as our illegal neighbourhood would be demolished should the government want to reclaim the land.

Please pray for Arfa's requests for …

-  her grandchildren, Chaman, Chandni, Sana, and Shavez, for their success in study and future life and that they will be religious and have courage to follow the right path in life

-  herself, that she will have better health, and stay healthy for years to come, so she can manage the household and not be a burden

-  her deaf daughter Bibbo's speech to become clearer, and for a suitable husband for her

-  her younger daughter Soni, for good study, to be faithful in religion, and to find a good husband

-  her son Zaki and his new wife Jayda, as they start married life together.

Did you know …

Many beliefs of Muslims are very similar to Christian beliefs, for example:

-  God (Allah) is one – there is no other like him, He is eternal, almighty, all-merciful, just and righteous, and the creator of all things.

-  God sent many prophets throughout history to reveal His will and guide people on the path of righteousness.  The most revered prophets include Aadam (Adam), Ibrahim (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), Yoosuf (Joseph), Ayoob (Job), Dawood (David), Sulaimaan (Solomon) and Isa (Jesus)

-  Jesus (Isa) will return at the end of the world.

[Servants works in a number of Islamic settings, including India and Indonesia. This month is the month of Ramadan (also known as Ramazan), the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts about 30 days. It is a month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Each day this month we will be putting reflections, stories, and information about Islam on this website to help you learn more and pray for our Muslim friends.]