يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ Q49:13

During the last 10 days of Ramadan 2022, my mother and my brother travelled for a lesser Hajj to Saudi Arabia, at the Masjid Nabawiy, my mum met these incredible women, and they started talking, when spoke English as an African, they were stunned and became convenient with her, both asking about countries of each other and family, they told my mum they were from Malaysia, and mum was happy that she told them her daughter (yours truly) will be coming for her PhD to Malaysia in a month’s time. Fast-forward during Eid Adha, this woman called me and asked if they could come pick me for Eid, I told them not to worry as I have something to do at school (I was sceptical) but mum persuaded me and I took a bus to this beautiful, peaceful and amazing town(Batu Pahat) Masha Allah. By Allah the kind of gesture I got, reminds me of this ayah and made me appreciate it more. They introduced me wherever we go, she was open-hearted and told me all her life stories and about her children. She connected me with her children(2 medical doctors) and her mother too (75 years), her husband taught me about 20 Bahasa words and gave me a room all by myself. They loved me as theirs and made me felt at home. Took me to the bus station and even accompanied me to my seat! Took a picture of me and the bus and bade me farewell. A day before I left as we were having dinner with their elderly friends, one of the men said, in their language, but I understood 'This is Allah, what a small world, you met with her mother, and now she’s here' Alhamdulillah. That is the making of Allah SWT, far away from my family and here He is, giving me another to compliment.

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِی لَاۤ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَیۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِیم Man is indeed a brother to another irrespective of color, race or tradition, if only we realise.

'O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)'Q49:13 ◦