A little bit of life for everyone DECEMBER 2020
FEATURING Thaakirah Mohamed. THE BOOK THAT SHOOK ME
BUSINESSES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW
UPCOMING EVENTS TO INSPIRE POETS.
I'M A FEMINIST BECAUSE.... COMMUNICATION IS AN ART
EDITED BY FAIQ REHMAN AND MUSKAAN AYESHA.
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Eudaimonia magazine. A little bit of life for everyone. Edited by Muskaan Ayesha and Faiq Rehman.
Page 2: Charity: a simple act of kindness. Page 3-6: the book that shook me. Page: 7-9: businesses to follow. Page 10: I’m a feminist and this is why. Page 11: Events for poets.
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Charity, a simple act of kindness. TheVeiledWriter When you hear the word, charity, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it, the needy, is it, the image of a homeless person or is it an empty pocket on my behalf? Charity is the simplest act of kindness. It is so easy to do, yet so satisfying to the heart. All it takes is taking out a coin and handing it to someone in need, making their day and you own. Here are some inspiring stories, from little kids around the world, showing their generosity and care for this world.
Hannah Taylor –founder of The Ladybug Foundation: When she was 5-years-old, Hannah Taylor saw a homeless man eating out of a trash can on a cold winter day. For the next year she constantly asked her parents: “Why? Why couldn’t everyone just share what they have to end homelessness?” At age 8, Hannah founded The Ladybug Foundation which has raised over 3 million dollars to fight homelessness in Canada. Hannah is also the founder of a second, separate charity, The Ladybug Foundation Education Program Inc., through which she created “makeChange: The Ladybug Foundation Education Program”, a K-12 resource for use in schools across Canada to empower young people to get involved and “makeChange” in their world.
Craig Kielburger –founder of We.org: One morning over breakfast, 12-year-old Craig Kielburger was flipping through the newspaper when he stopped short on a story: Iqbal Masih, a 12-year-old former child slave in Pakistan, had been murdered because he spoke up for human rights. In that moment, Craig realized he could have been Iqbal but for the fate of where he had been born. From there, Craig determined he had to do something and with the help of some classmates and his brother, WE (then Free The Children) was born – an organization that empowers with a mission to free children and their families to lift themselves from poverty and exploitation. The team has also created WE Villages Adopt a Village, dedicated to development that provides access to five key pillars—education, clean water and sanitation, health care, food security, and alternative income— a combination of key interventions that empower a community to help lift themselves out of poverty.
These kids are more generous than we can ever be. At such young ages, they finding charity foundations and it is difficult for us to give just a penny. The world is slowly dying and there is no to little kindness left. Hatred, jealousy, greed, these three sins are taking over the world. Inspiration is a spark hiding within your bosom; let’s take these stories to ignite that spark.
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The book that shook me. Faeeza Nakhuda.
Oh world, how do you rest, knowing that the bodies of children & women are being ripped by savage, heartless men seeking a 2-minute pleasure rush, rupturing her life, her soul, her every being! How do you sleep at night in warm blankets and on cosy cushions , whilst her pillows are drenched with tears whose salt have crusted from the dejavu of nightmares that you have fed her, scraping her inner mind, body & soul every single day. How do you sleep when you have awakened the dragon of misery in her soul, she was little, she was weak, she was innocent!
on the garden route. She calls herself the 'influ-hancer" with intention to enhance others towards healing themselves, her page on Facebook ' She Survives,' has over 11500 followers.
Flooding the country with tears, she brings us her story of pain, rape, abuse, divorce and miscarriage; stigmas which our culture often shies away from. Speaking up against abuse often brings the family shame, the victim is labelled as dramatic, a liar, and it is guaranteed to be swept under the rug, because our society is afraid of what people will think! Thaakirah denotes in subtle humour, that she is here to 'change the flooring.'
It's time for change, to break the silence within the victims, to indicate intolerance to the acts of these abusers.
She has attempted suicide 7 times, trying methods such as hanging herself, overdosing on tablets, holding a gun to her mouth and even trying to jump of a building - SHE SURVIVED & she still survives!
Today we meet her, the child, the girl, the woman, the 'Conscious Revolutionist' : Thaakirah Mohamed, self-published author, 32, currently residing in Cape Town. She was born in Lenasia and later relocated to George
Why has God kept her alive? The reason behind it is simple and profound, it is 'Mercy!' Mercy is a book that has been written in an astounding 7 days, in which Thaakirah has
Page |4 been raw and real speaking about her life and experiences . She wishes to reach hearts and change the mind-sets of cultural stigmas that are currently eating at our society, making it difficult for abused victims to speak up.
"I wanted to write the story as a tribute to leave behind the shackles of who I was in order to not only give myself.. But my child who has passed on... something to be proud of."
When reputation is more important than the wellbeing of our children and woman in our community, how do we break this silence of death?
"This book is a survival kit to many life situations we go through in life, it not only takes you into the life situation, but I teach you to look into the situation to find gratitude."
This book was not only meant to be a change for herself, but in it, she has found her purpose in life: to bring mercy to others, creating a stepping stone by opening new doors and questions of societies' backward thoughts regarding abused victims; being the voice for the silenced victims, not only of abuse but victims of the narcissistic nature of our Indian culture. A culture of colour and beauty, good food and generosity, but tainted by gossip and fear of the words: "what will people think‌"
As this book had been a deeper reflection of her renewed faith in her Creator, she requested Surah Ar-Rahman, (a chapter from the holy Qur'an; meaning mercy in English) to be played whilst the book was being printed. The first copy of the book was sent to be read by a friend in the Holy City of Makkah. Furthermore she had launched her book in Cape Town, Portlands, at Masjidur-Rawbie with a Thikr (prayer recital), also captivating the sanctity of each book, she had hugged them and smoked each book with sage.
Her intention for writing this book also roots much deeper than what meets the eye: for the pleasure of her Merciful Creator, Thaakirah mentions... Picture by Fatemah Khaled.
Page |5 Thaakirah Mohamed mentions that her body literally broke, ending up in hospital during the writing of this book to allow for her healing and revolution. Each chapter brushes in a new lesson, painting detailed truth into the minds of those who reflect. She encourages healing through good intention and faith in the beloved Almighty, she presses on the importance of forgiveness of the abuser to find peace in oneself, and seeks wisdom in each calamity drawing out a silver lining.
In her book, she honours her late grandfather that she had lost this year due to Covid. She mentions how beloved he was to her, and how he will always be remembered for being the only one who stood up for her during the time of her abuse.
She had graced Lenasia for a book signing, hoping to bring Mercy to the hometown tainted with her nightmares by facing her fears and contributing to her healing.
After the release of her book, she was honoured with the Second Annual Panache Cape Town, Woman of Wonder award for the year 2020. "This is an honour, this is a mercy, this is a revolution. I am the voice, I am all about Gender-based violence... And I will fight... And I will rise!!!"
She also wishes that those who purchase her book should pass them on to others to read. Thaakirah also reaches hearts by speaking with words of kindness from a heart that has been through it all. She has battled with cancer and endured chemotherapy, causing her body to succumb to immense weakness.
Her journey to healing wasn't an easy one. After meeting her life coach: Appa Fatema Loonat and proceeding with her motivational course: "No Ego-2020," she turned a new leaf, believing in a better future. 'When your mother had made dua (prayer) for me, I felt the light of My Creator enter my heart,' she mentions in a live interview on Instagram with Juwairiya Loonat.
Those who are interested in purchasing a book can follow her page on Facebook 'She Survives,' details on how to place your orders can be found on the page.
You can also donate a book as part of 'Project Rahma' to Islamic institutions, orphanages or community centres to earn thawaab-ejaariyah ( continuous rewards), by those who heal through this book.
I recall the day I went to collect my book, as I sat in front of her with tears still warm in my
Page |6 eyes, after receiving the most beautiful hug from this very soul, she gazed at me for a few seconds, and then closed her own eyes for a few, proceeding to sign my book with the ink of her heart, writing a personalised message. She wrote on my heart.
This book is not just a book, it is an eye opener, one that will shake your soul if you reflect. A book that you will dive into and continue swimming until you have reached the shore, this book holds an ocean of emotions with still waters that run deep, tides high and low, but most of all, this book was the book that shook me!
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Businesses you should follow and show your love to.
Bound by thrift. “By Thrift all Natural, 3D lashes! Meet Insanity, for my girls who love the insanely dramatic look and Cheeky for the girls who need a lottle (a little bit of a lot) sassy to their look. Lashes are cruelty free.�
Instagram: @boundby_thrift
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Incandescent store. “Homemade luxury chocolate bites, ice cream/vegan ice cream, vegan chocolate mousse, fudge, ras malai, pani puri, milk tart cups and more. A plethora of mouth-watering foods!�
Instagram: incandescent_store_
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A.M accessories and clothing. “Trendy clothing, funky accessories and the perfect leather shoes, we have it all and MORE.�
Instagram: am_accessories_and_clothing
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I am a feminist. And this is why. Muskaan Ayesha. I'm a feminist because the prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) condemned infanticide in a time where females were buried at birth. I'm a feminist because till today there are cases of honor killings around the world. I'm a feminist because of a U.N report stating 50 000 women a year are killed by family members or partners. I'm a feminist because of the domestic violence cases that arise every day.
I'm a feminist because the prophet (s.a.w) said, “None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully.� I'm a feminist for the Pakistani woman and her minor daughter who were gang raped in a
country that declares itself a Muslim country where we have no room for these repelling crimes. I'm a feminist because of the practice of dowry. I'm a feminist because culture has overtaken our faith. I'm a feminist because of the number of child brides and forced marriages. I'm a feminist because my religion doesn't allow for forceful marriages. I'm a feminist because I was given the right to inherit, marry someone of my choice, work, make my own decisions, study and have my own identity. I'm a feminist because i WILL fight for it. I will mention it over and over again. Even when the men of my community shame me for it. Even when someone tells me it isn't part of my religion. Because here it is: feminism means "equality" and in the eyes of God gender has no meaning; man or woman, you are judged for your actions and rewarded for it EQUALLY. The value given to a male child should be given to the female child too. I'm a feminist because females are still considered as "burdens." I'm a feminist because as a Muslim, I know a woman has value no one can compare to. I'm a feminist to speak out against the cultures that make our beliefs toxic. I'm a feminist because we might have been made differently but we are not worth any less than men.
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Events for poets: Due to the covid-19 pandemic, outings and events have come to an abrupt halt and with the second wave bombarding every country; we have decided to host a virtual poetry event for people around the world. The event will be aired live on international radio with thousands of listeners from 35 different countries worldwide. The admission fee is $5 and the minimum number of participants is 12. For more information or details contact the host on Instagram : @muskaan_ayesha_