As regular followers of American Bedu are aware, each month American Bedu will start an imaginary story which has an aspect about Saudi Arabia. However the conclusion of the story will be up to you. You may choose to pick up where American Bedu has left off and then someone else continue, or in turn take the story she started to your own conclusion. Each month’s story selects an aspect of Saudi that is not far off from reality and by each of us participating helps promote understanding in the differing ways we may perceive a situation.
She was an Umrah overstayer from Nigeria. Of course it had been her intent all along to come to Saudi Arabia, perform Umrah and then disappear into a new life away from Nigeria. For some reason she thought it would be easy to find a job in spite of being an illegal with no iqama or work permit. But, life doesn’t always work out as we think it will and after a few months, she found herself living under a bridge just outside of Jeddah. She managed to get by day-by-day going to local mosques at prayer times and sitting outside, eyes downcast and hands outstretched. Those attending the prayers would usually give her enough small riyal notes and food that she wouldn’t be hungry and could make it for another day. Because of language, she felt more secure living under the bridge but as all places are, eventually her sanctuary was discovered. Not only was her sanctuary discovered by a group of other illegal umrah overstayers but these overstayers violated her and her sanctuary. Yes, these were also umrah overstayers who had come to the holiest place on earth to pray and give thanks but at the same time took as if it were their right the most precious gift from this Nigerian woman.
It did not take long before she realized she was pregnant. She was terrified. She knew it meant life had to change but she also was not sure if she wanted to be burdened with a child which didn’t even feel like it belonged to her because of the manner in which it was conceived. She left her place under the bridge and started sleeping in a large box she found in a back alley in Jeddah. As long as she stayed out of people’s way she was left alone. Some drivers who worked at nearby villas noticed her and were compassionate enough to leave food for her. They saw the look of desperation and fear in her eyes and never tried to intrude. In addition to the fear and desperation she had the look of a wild animal who had been violated.
As her time drew near for birth her fears continued to rise. What would it mean for her? Where does she go? What can she do? Must she claim this child which was forced on her?
Her fears and plight became too much for her. The farther along she went in her pregnancy the more despondent she became. She used to wash and keep herself clean. Lately it just became too much work and a burden. It was easier to find a quiet alley to sit and just rock back and forth while making a whining sound deep in her throat.
Noone knew her name. Only those who recognized the features could determine she was Nigerian. But she was left alone. Was it they were afraid to get involved or did her wild feral look keep them away? Even the muttaween who passed in the area steered clear of her. It was like she became an untouchable and even an unseeable.
The night she gave birth was a cool night for Jeddah. However for her, she was sweating profusely and yet chilling at the same time. Finally she slipped into an eternal sleep from which she never awoke. She never knew she gave birth to a baby girl.
The weak cries of the newborn baby girl attracted the attention of the drivers who lived near and knew that was “her place.” Hearing the cries continue without abatement one driver was finally concerned enough to approach closer. The sight was not pretty. The mother deceased with all the pain and worries she carried evident on her face. But yet beside her the healthy baby girl with all her innocence. The concerned driver was moved. Without thinking, he picked up the newborn baby girl and carried her in his arms to a villa just down the Jeddah street. He did not personally know the owners of the villa but he had heard they were good and charitable Saudis.
The driver was a smart man. He made sure to stand out of range of the security camera when he rang the bell so all anyone saw was the newborn baby unattended. He ran softly away after ringing the bell but felt he was doing the right thing for an innocent child.
And now it is your turn to continue this story!
Filed under: Charity, culture, gender, Health, islam, religion, safety, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Saudi Living, travel Tagged: | blogging, culture, culture shock, customs, gender, islam, Jeddah, KSA, Mecca, places, religion, Saudi, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel, Umra
Wow…that story is a powerful statement in itself…
PS
I didnt realize there was another J…Im sorry about that…
Thanks J.
No problem….we have others who also have the same name too.
The maid opened the door but did not see anyone. With a puzzled look on her face, she went to close the door. Thats when she heard a tiny cry at her feet.
Shocked at the sight of this poor abandoned baby, she gently picked her up whispering as she did so ” Bismillah”. She looked at the tiny face and then out onto the street again. No one was in sight. She closed the door quietly and went to her mistress’s quarters.
The mistress took one look in her arms and asked her to explain. Hearing the sad tale, she sent the maid to call her husband.
Tired and fed up after a long day at work, he entered the womens quarters with a scowl on his face.
In the corner, sat his wife with a bowl at her feet washing the tiny bundle in her arms, gently and softly. All the time she was reciting from the Qur’an, tears filling her eyes.
He stands there and waits. Normally by now he would be loudly asking her why she has not even bothered to look at him, but not this time. The maid enters the room again with a blanket to wrap the baby in.
The husband gently takes the baby from his wife and stares at her. For what seems like a long time, he just holds her, staring into her eyes. Faintly, he hears his wife reciting an ayat speaking of taking care of orphans.
The husband lifts his head at that moment and his eyes meets his wifes.
“Call the police” he says. HIs wife looks at him pleadingly. You see, as much as they love each other, the one thing they most wished for had been left at their door step by someone. She silently pleaded with her eyes that maybe, just maybe, her husbands heart would soften to this beautiful child and somehow, they may have the chance to take care of someone so special.
The maid, is sent to call the police.
They arrive almost half an hour later. The baby is sleeping peacefully in the womens quarters whilst the husband is talking to the police.
A few hours later, he calls for his wife.
The police are going to search for the mother. They have to try and find out where this child came from.
But for now, the police are willing to allow the baby to stay with them til the morning.
The man who placed the baby at their door, saw the police. Saw that they had not left with the baby and his heart is fillled with some hope. He sneaks away back to his own house and goes to bed.
Next day at the morning prayers, an announcement is made. The body of the woman had been found. People who had seen her, started to wonder what had happened to the child she was carrying. Was the child alive?
The Imam spoke to those concerned and arrangements were made to get the body and bury her as quickly as they could.
The Imam contacts the police and tells them that the body found the night befor, the lady was pregnant, but there was no baby when the body was retreived.
The officers go back to the family who had reported finding the baby and realise (because of the skin color) that maybe this is the same child.
They spend a long time talking to the husband.
Finally when they leave, the husband calls his wife.
He gently sits her down and explains what he has agreed with the officers.
” My darling, Allah has blessed us with something unique on this day. And with it, he has brought a test upon us. My darling, for a long time we have stuck together through every trial and tribulation. Could keeping this child, be our reward? Can we honestly take care of her and raise her as our own? How do you feel about taking care of someone who does not belong to you, treat her like your own and love her? Can you cope with the funny looks and questions from our family, friends and those we live with? Because if you can my darling then Alhamdulillah, the police will agree for us to keep this blessing. And I will do my best to be a loving father and guardian to her. Will you do the same?”
The wife looks at her husband. Tears fill her eyes once again. She calls the maid to bring her the baby.
Gently , the wife holds her, kisses her forhead and calls her Dhakirah (the one who remembers Allah). She smiles at her husband and they embrace with the baby between them.
Many years later, Dhakirah, all grown up and stood in her wedding gown, looks at the mother sat behind her crying through the mirror, she turns and embraces her mother.
The woman who all her life has dedicated everything she has ever had to her. She whispers in her ear, ” I love you”.
Together, they go down stairs where her father is waiting. Tears fill his eyes when she enters the room. Quickly blinked away, he pats her on the shoulder and escorts her to the waiting car.
At the mosque, the father makes an announcement after the wedding to thank everyone.
Sat in the back, he notices a man sat there crying quietly to himself. The father approaches him and asks who he is. The man explains that on this day, he is the happiest he has ever been because 20 years ago, he had made a decision to leave a tiny baby he found at the door of a kind couple. And now he had the honor to bear witness to the true charity shown by this couple as they gave that child away in marriage, a grown woman.
The father grabs him in an embrace and invites him to the wedding feast.
From that day onwards, Dhakirah brought many more joy into the house of her parents with her own children and loving husand and despite a difference in her skin,they never treated her as any thing less than a precious jewel.
END
Maryam – YOU can write! That is so beautiful and I love the way you brought the story full circle!
Thanks Bedu. (Black lady blushing LOL!!!!)
I was a bit nervous sending it but your story was so powerful the words just came to me really quickly.
I used to love writting but gave it up long ago.
The name I gave the girl is actually my SIL youngest daughter’s name. They moved to Riyadh a few years back now. She always made me happy seeing her so thought it would be nice to add her in my story as a grown and beautiful young girl.
Love your other stories too and may pluck the courage to add an ending to some future stories.
Thanks again (smile)
Maryam,
After seeing an Arab blush (my husband…will have to make it a future post) I can imagine a black lady blushing too! (smile)
I’ll look forward very much to see you participating in additional imaginations. And if you have free time, searching under the term imagination in my blog should bring up past posts too.
Oh Maryam, that was so beautiful! I couldn’t stop reading it!
I am a sucker for a happy end and I was rally worried!
Oh Maryam your story truly brought tears of joy to my eyes! What a beautiful story for this holiday season!
So poor her and wondered why governemtn do nothing Yeah, if it is known to ppl or country, they think they will fail..and must have different thoughts than the man who helped.. well…Anyway, Im so impressed the man and hope to see more ppl help like his act.. Thanks !
A beautiful story by both of you, Carol and Maryam! It has made me think a lot more about the lives of the women we see on our street corners and what will become of them and their children. Thank you.
Fruitfull – you are welcome.