In Blessed Memory of Roman
Sajjad: A Reflection on
the Conflict and Its Impact on
Mental Health
“Not every man with a heart is understanding, not every man with ears is a listener, and not every man with eyes is able to see.”
―
Dear Visitors,
This indeed was such a difficult article to write and we are grateful to Israt from Bangladesh for putting this article together on Roman Sajjad who lost his life while standing up for Gaza. At the time of posting this article our hearts are heavy with the plight of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Sudan, Burma, Kashmir, China, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
The horrific genocide in Gaza has shaken us to our core, especially those who have families and friends in Gaza and in the West Bank areas have been going through a sheer never ending hell for the past nine months now. The genocide will enter its nine month soon, and the massacre of innocent civilians has no sign of stopping. Families are struggling to breathe due to magnitude level of psychological oppression, use of poisonous weapons, the extreme heat, no water, no hospitals and forced starvation is wiping out the population at a record speed. The brutality sees no sign of ending.
So what are we supposed to do in this situation when all the governments have unanimously failed and cannot even stop the countries like UK, France, Canada Australia, Denmark, Germany and the USA for aiding Israel on its conquest to ethnically wipe out this defenceless population?
Play Your Role of Viceregent on this Earth. We cannot abandon our people. This is something which is forbidden by Allah. Allah created you as a khalifa and it doesn’t say anywhere in the Quran the viceregency belongs to XYZ. Those who seem to rule in the name, leave them to Allah and do what you can to play your role on this earth. We have only one Malik ul Mulk and that’s Allah and we are His servants. It’s not the Sunna of Allah to see racism, conflicts, discrimination and injustice on this earth. This man made conflict and torture has no place in Islam.
And (recall) when your Lord said to the angels:77 ‘I am to place a khalifah78 on earth. ‘ They said: ‘Will you place therein one who will do corruption in it and shed blood,79 while we chant Your praises and sanctify Your Name?’ 80 He said: ‘Verily, I know what you do know not.
The ripple effects of this genocide will remain on this earth, in the air we breathe in for the next hundred years. We feel hopeless and people struggling from the fragile mental health have gone through extremely difficult times as well.
The disordered eating behaviours among the sufferes of eating disorder are also on rise. It’s a struggle to focus on active recovery when such horror is prevailing.
My message to the people who are trying to stop us from doing our work, please understand we are normal people, we are not here to create any mischief or disturb the peace, as Muslims we are simply raising our voices against the extreme brutality which is taking place in Gaza. We can’t bear the pain of what is happening. So please allow us to do our job. We are boycotting and protesting against the companies that support genocide in Israel. I don’t understand why are we in fear that if we speak for Gaza, you’ll use your brutal force exercised by very bad people in Guantanamo bay on us?
Roman Sajad, Sheikh Imran and two others lost their lives while protesting for Gaza in Islamabad. We simply don’t understand and will never understand why standing up against the genocide and mass murder requires us to die, to be imprisoned and beaten? These people were doing something which only few have a courage to do. Through these people we get our hope that humanity is not dead and compassion exists.
A month after the death of Roman Sajjad, we went to protest outside the local KFC in Islamabad. It was a last minute invitation which I accepted, but the sheer panic I felt when I saw the police arrive outside the KFC cannot be put into words, I prayed the way I’ve never paid before for our protection and safety. We were requesting the KFC to shut down for two hours with what was happening in Gaza. The protestors were young students and Alhamdulilah I thank Allah that it remained peaceful and the security forces didn’t use tear gas or shot us dead on the spot. And hats off to the main person, the speaker, I am sorry I don’t know your name, who remained strong and kept us strong. The youngest protestors in the crowd was a small baby and there were children present as well. The heart-breaking scene was watching people in KFC dressed for a wedding party or three course royal banquet look down on us with indifference in their eyes. We were disturbing their genociding supporting meal. Indeed this class of the people is the gift British left behind when they left our country in 1940s, their imposters who will ensure they produce generations after generations that behave like their colonial masters, eat like them and talk like them and support their atrocities across the globe.
What I am trying to say here sadly is that nowadays standing up for the poor, oppressed will get you killed. I hope the governments and their departments who have a job of stopping us from standing up for the oppressed can see what they are doing, something which Allah does not like. Our Prophet Muhammad saw is in pain watching the brutal wars on his Umma. It’s only the poor and those who fear Allah and want to please Him that are getting killed and tortured. Please think before you use your force on people, students protesting for Gaza spent their Eid in Prisons. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will not look at you on the Day of Resurrection, and that’s not something you want, because what unites us at the end is Allah and our love for His beloved Prophet Muhammad saw. That’s All!
Thank You Maya for this article from Bangladesh.
Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it
Sura AL Baqra Verse: 154
Roman Sajad, from Kotli Azad Kashmir who was attending the International Islamic University in Islamabad, was killed in Islamabad while protesting for Gaza, leaving behind a community that is devastated by his passing. Roman was a young man who possessed both brains and enthusiasm, and he was absolutely dedicated to the cause of achieving justice for Gaza. His father’s words, which were full of emotion, emphasized Roman’s aspirations and his unrelenting will to make a difference in the world, despite the many challenges he encountered. The father’s sadness was palpable as he spoke of the unwavering commitment of his son and the tremendous loss that the family has been forced to bear.
His Last Message before his death was to his friend who was visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina:
He said:
“I have a request, offer my Salam to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and give wasila (intercession) of Hazrat Khadija and Hazrat Fatima and make dua that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gaze is upon me. Ask him to look at me and to help me in the fulfilment of my wish with the blessings of Allah. My heart is very sad, tell Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for his gaze to come to us and call me to him. Ameen Ya Rabul Alameen. Please tell Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to take pity on my state, I beseech him with the waseela of his princess Hazrat Fatima Zahra. Ameen Ya Rasollalal.
Having an understanding of the history of the fighting in Gaza and the impact it had on mental health indicates that the implications of the conflict extend far beyond the destruction of physical property. The persistent violence, the loss of loved ones, and the ongoing uncertainty over safety have all contributed to the creation of an environment that is very conducive to the development of psychological anguish. Individuals, particularly young people, are struggling with feelings of worry, despair, and trauma, which are made worse by the daily problems that they face in terms of economics and fears about their safety.
Senator Mushtaq emphasized the need of demonstrating sympathy for the Palestinian struggle, highlighting the necessity for young people to express their support and oppose societal inequities. He also emphasized the importance of exhibiting solidarity with Gaza. His remarks struck a chord with a great number of people, highlighting the fact that limiting such sentiments not only restricts individual liberty but also dampens the collective spirit of campaigning for global justice.
Student movements all over the world have been quite vociferous in their support for Gaza despite the situation there. They have demonstrated an unshakable commitment to raising awareness about the situation of Palestinians through the use of social media campaigns and marches. A sense of global unity and a collective obligation among young people to fight for human rights are represented by these movements. This is despite the fact that young people are confronted with a variety of kinds of censorship and suppression.
Young people in Pakistan are being greatly impacted by the country’s continuing economic inflation as well as the deteriorating security situation. There is a pervasive sense of hopelessness and sadness in the air as a result of the growing expense of living and the restricted work opportunities. In addition to the widespread dread that exists, the economic hardships that young people are experiencing make it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies and the chances that lie ahead.
As a result of the continuous fighting, residents of Gaza are having major challenges with their respective mental health. A prolonged sense of trauma is caused by a number of factors, including the death of family members, the devastation of dwellings, and the ongoing fear of bombings. Children are especially susceptible to harm because they are raised in an atmosphere that is both chaotic and aggressive. A clear reminder of the huge human cost of the conflict is provided by the mental health crisis that is occurring in Gaza.
The demise of Roman Sajad has left a pall of depression over the community that he was a part of. Roman’s life and untimely death are emblematic of the larger battle that individuals who advocate for justice are going through. Roman was known for his unflinching commitment to the Palestinian cause. His unwavering commitment acts as a source of motivation, but the tragic circumstances surrounding his passing bring to light the serious repercussions of the fight and the repression of advocacy.
The deaths of Roman Sajad and those like him are extremely distressing because they bring to light the sad reality that individuals who are brave enough to stand out for justice frequently face severe consequences. The restriction of advocacy not only stifles individual liberties but also impedes the fight for human rights and justice on a global scale.
Those who are denied the right to speak up for justice as a result of the suppression of that right experience far-reaching consequences. In addition to restricting people from expressing their opinions, it creates an environment that is fraught with fear and repression. People who believe that they are unable to bring about change despite their best efforts may experience a further decline in their mental health as a result of this repression, which can develop to a collective consciousness of helplessness.
4 Hadith about palestine
- Over Palestine the angels enlarged their wings.
‘How blessed is Shaam,’ remarked the Prophet (PBUH). Why is that, those around me questioned? “I see the angels of the Most Merciful spreading their wings over it,” the Messenger (SAW) said.- (Tirmidhi)
- A thousand prayers elsewhere equal one prayer in Jerusalem.
It is where everyone will be called on Judgement Day, the Prophet SAW declared. Come pray in it, as one prayer there is equivalent to a thousand prayers anywhere else. (Tirmidhi)
3.The finest people are those of Palestine.
“The best of the people of earth will reside where Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) migrated (Jerusalem),” declared the Prophet (PBUH). [Abu Dawud ]
- One of the few locations the Quran was revealed.
“The Quran was revealed in three places – Makkah, Madinah and Al-Sham,” declared the Prophet (SAW). [Tabarani ]
How can we enable Palestine to go when it is among the best places on earth and adored by Allah SWT? Offer your prayers and support the people of Palestine. Especially Gaza.
There is a connection between the mental health of those living in Gaza and the mental health of those who advocate for Gaza’s cause. The mental anguish that Palestinians and their sympathizers all around the world are experiencing is a reflection of the trauma that Palestinians are going through. Within the context of the greater struggle for justice and human rights, the international community bears the responsibility of recognizing and addressing the obstacles and difficulties associated with mental health.
In conclusion, the spirit of solidarity continues to be strong among young people in Pakistan and around the world, despite the various constraints that have been placed inside their lives. In order to continue pushing for the right to support individuals who have been harmed by the conflict and to stand up for justice, it is essential to continue doing so. When it comes to working toward a world that is more just and peaceful, the legacy of Roman Sajad serves as a reminder of the significance of tenacity and determination.
According to the verse “And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways,” the Qur’an places a strong emphasis on the importance of striving to follow the path of Allah. According to the Qur’an, verse 29:69, “And indeed, Allah is with those who do good.” This verse emphasizes the significance of perseverance as well as the divine help that is provided to those who struggle for justice and fairness.
