Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 15-06-2017

“All smile if an orphan smile” 

This is the message of IHH a humanitarian relief organization based in Istanbul in Turkey on its brochure about orphans and also the sentiment expressed by NGO the Al-Imdaad Foundation. 

There were some concerns among members of the Al-Imdaad team, myself and fellow journalist Azhar Vadi, after we heard news during Ifthar of the terror attack in Mogadishu. 

We were in Istanbul at the invitation of local mayor Tevfik Goksu and were due to fly out of Turkey just after midnight to Djibouti and then to Mogadishu. 

The news of the terror attack prompted us to grab our mobile phones to scan news sites and social media find out what exactly happened in Somalia. 

It emerged that a car bomb was detonated outside a restaurant in the Somali capital killing at least seventeen people and wounding several others. 

Heavy gunfire followed the attack claimed by the armed group al-Shabaab. 

I am almost certain that family, friends, loved ones and colleague would’ve been extremely concerned about us after reading the WhatsApp messages, Tweets and hearing the news of the attack. 

The concern that I felt and possibly the sentiment of others was more than fear, but rather that we hoped that our flight to Somalia would not be cancelled. I didn’t want the mission to end and neither did the Al Imdaad Foundation. 

Fortunately that was not the case and now that we have arrived safely in Mogadishu and are aware that while there is clear and present danger, it’s time to share with you the human story of vital aid that will be distributed by Al Imdaad. 

It’s time to make an orphan smile and we hope to share this human story with you.

Twitter: @FaizelPatel143