麻豆约拍

Good morning!

The state of our rivers and oceans is precarious. Pollution is a real problem and if nothing is done about it then we have much to lose. Water is a source of life; we need it to thrive and survive.

I spent my childhood in Africa. I saw mothers and young children walk long distances every day to fetch water 鈥� a single bucket on their heads for cooking, washing and cleaning. I remember spinning the wheel at the well to help them fill their buckets and splash water with the village children. I saw Muslim worshippers performing their entire ablution with just one jug of water. They appreciated water. When my siblings and I went back home, we could just turn on a tap. The appreciation was not the same. I share my childhood stories with my children in the hope they will learn to appreciate what we have.

The Qur鈥檃n tells a story about the Banu Israel, the Israelites who were exiled from Egypt. In the Sinai they were desperate for water. It says, 鈥淩emember when Moses prayed for water for his people; (God) said (to Moses), 鈥淪trike the rock with your staff!鈥� Suddenly, twelve springs gushed from it. Each tribe knew its place of water. Eat and drink from the sustenance provided by God and do not do evil or mischief on earth.鈥�

The Prophet Muhammad forbade the wasting and polluting of water. In Islam, personal hygiene is half of one鈥檚 faith. Even the dead are washed before being shrouded.

I pray that God enables us to take care of this precious gift, amin.