09/15/2024
During a brief layover in Dubai, I had the honor of meeting M***i Menk at the airport lounge, Alhamdulillāh. We engaged in a thoughtful and enriching conversation for about 30 to 40 minutes, expressing mutual respect for each other’s work and the shared mission we both uphold. We reflected on the importance of complementing one another’s efforts, particularly in filling the void of Islamic reminders and inspirational talks through social media and other public forums. We also acknowledged the pressing need to invest in institution-building and cultivating future servant leaders.
Our conversation underscored the reality of a rapidly connected global community, where information travels across continents in mere seconds, and how this connectivity makes it all the more vital to safeguard our Deen from external challenges as well as internal divisions. We spoke about the crucial need to stand united in defending each other against detractors and provocateurs who aim to sow discord and division within our ranks.
Additionally, we took a moment to commend the impactful work being done by Abdullah Aid in the UK, along with the significant contributions of the Institute of Knowledge (IOK) and Jamia Binoria International, whose efforts continue to reach far and wide, Alhamdulillāh.
I also had the opportunity to inform M***i Menk about my co-board member, Taher Dadabhoy’s recent heart attack, and humbly requested his prayers. To my surprise, M***i Menk immediately recognized the Dadabhoy family and mentioned that he is close friends with Taher’s older brother.
Additionally, I shared the details of our IOK WAQF and IOK CHESS project (www.iokchess.com), aimed at establishing an endowment for IOK and expanding our IOK Seminary campus. I humbly requested his prayers for our efforts to close escrow by September 30th, inshāAllāh.
Overall, it was a brief but meaningful encounter filled with brotherhood, supplications for one another, for our efforts, and especially for our brothers and sisters who are suffering around the world. We agreed to meet again soon in the UK, inshāAllāh.