Heroes

Stories of men who carried a community, group or idea forward, our saviours and keepers.

Due to recent escalations in violence in Syria, our team in Idlib is currently trying to uphold key operations while at the same time keeping themselves and their family safe. That’s why we can’t provide a photo of Nebras in this edition of the magazine. It’s a reminder of how serious the situation in Syria still remains. We ask for your prayers for relief in this region.

Remembering A Fallen Hero

Nebras, 27 Syria

It can be so difficult to see your country and your home fall into chaos before your very eyes. When the Syrian war erupted in 2011, nobody could have guessed that the country would still be trapped in conflict 9 years later. Since then, at least 470,000 Syrians have died as a result of war and 6.6 million people are internally displaced, with an additional 5 million as refugees in neighboring countries.

However, one young man decided to stay. At the age of 27 years old, Nebras Elhelow risked his life every day to deliver aid amidst Syria’s brutal conflict. He had cut short his university studies to devote himself to humanitarian relief across his home region of northern Hama. He joined Islamic Relief, where he continued to try and help as many of his fellow countrymen as he could. A dedicated Islamic Relief volunteer, Nebras spent his nights working on construction sites and in bakeries to cover his basic living expenses, so that he could help others during the day. He lived with his wife in a single room in an abandoned building. There were many such families there, driven from their homes by the violence and seeking refuge where they could. It wasn’t much, but it was still home.

Nebras and his wife tried to lead an ordinary life despite their extraordinary circumstances. But the failing infrastructure meant they were playing the odds. Sadly their only child, Shaam, died at just three weeks old. The healthcare system was close to collapse and her illness could not be treated.

The couple were frequent visitors to his parents’ home. That’s where they were there one day in 2015, when

an airstrike came just as Nebras prepared to head out to an emergency aid distribution. Nebras sustained massive injuries. He survived the airstrike initially, but both his legs were amputated, and tragically he lost his fight for life shortly afterwards.

The name ‘Nebras’ means ‘role model’, which could not be more fitting. He lives on in our hearts because he was an outstanding person – energetic, selfless, bravely serving the people he loved in the face of a brutal and unrelenting conflict.

Islamic Relief workers operate in some of the world’s most fragile areas. And while we have a comprehensive security policy and rigorous procedures to protect our staff and volunteers, we sadly cannot prepare for every possibility. This story is a tribute to so many of our brave volunteers and workers that work endlessly for the sake of others. May Allah accept and bless them immensely for their efforts.