Strength from Within launch in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is my home.

It was where I was born and raised up.

It is where I made the promise to write a book as a child and how ‘Strength from Within’ came into existence.

‘Strength from Within’ is about growing up with a physical disability and finding strength from the stories of the Prophets (peace be upon them). There is the underlying theme—and testament—that every child is deserving of being provided an environment to grow, and how there is possibility of growth, especially when navigating adversities. The book is a call to action for our communities to build safe spaces by recognizing the potential of all children. The book is not only about recognizing our potential but also discovering how we can give back. Give back to Allah (SWT), our parents, and our community. I, therefore, looked at preparing for the book launch of “Strength from Within’ as a means to give back to Allah (SWT), my parents, and my community.

There, however, comes the question of how to effectively give back. How to arrange a book launch in a way where it is a dedication towards the community

What I have learnt through arranging the book launch in Hong Kong—while having a disability—is that you cannot really give back to the community without requesting support. Preparation requires collective effort. You have to consult those you trust and collaborate in order to have an event that is fruitful. I consulted my father’s childhood best friend, Uncle Jaffar, that was also active at the local mosque and arranging community events.

Since ‘Strength from within,’ is on growing up, I thought there would be no better place to have the launch at the masjid where I grew up. Ammar Mosque in Hong Kong is not only a place of prayer but a building that is a community center. Halal Dim sums can be found at the masjid’s canteen as well as a library with Islamic books. I remember going to the masjid’s seminar room as a child, teen, and later young adult to learn about Islam. There were countless of workshops to attend and activities for both children and adults. Ammar Mosque is where I went through the seasons of having an invisible disability and later a more visible one with a wheelchair. I always struggled with stairs at the venue, but whenever able to attend, I easily felt part of the community. I did have the growing need of addressing disability, and the need of accessibility to be understood, that having a book on growing up with a disability getting addressed felt like a milestone. A step forward and a chapter to celebrate.

The launch started off with sharing on what it was like going to Ammar mosque as a 4 year old, teen, and later adult. The care received from auntie Jameela that was the masjid librarian when I was 4. She would rush to open the door whenever I would push the door open. She would only return back to her seat after helping pick out books for me and making sure I was comfortably seated. These acts of kindness—her beautiful and sincere gestures—impacted me. It cultivated my love for reading further so it was special celebrating this milestone of a book launch at the seminar room which was just next to the masjid’s library.

I hoped the community could see from my experiences growing up—that with proper care and cultivation—seeds do eventually bloom.

People with disabilities are amongst the most vulnerable so there are harsher storms faced when trying to grow. This reality needed to be addressed but I also knew that there were different layers of vulnerabilities that many in our communities face. I looked at the layers of vulnerability as a need to address, and for that reason, decided to have a workshop during the book launch. Since ‘Strength from Within,’ is on deriving strength through the stories of the Prophets, I thought to have a workshop titled, “Strength in Remembering our Vulnerable — inspired by the Stories of the Prophets (peace be upon them).’

It was important to dive back into history, and explore how the Prophets (peace be upon them) not only faced layers of vulnerabilities, but cared for our vulnerable. I hoped it could be a way for none of us to feel alone. It was important for me to support a local NGO and a cause during the book launch. Homelessness within our local community was something pressing to address that it was decided to collaborate with Jeff Rotmeyer: the CEO of IMPACTHK—an NGO that aims in ending homelessness.

Prior to starting the workshop on strength in remembering our vulnerable as inspired by the stories of the Prophets, it was important to share how Prophet Yusuf (AS), Prophet Musa (AS), and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at one point navigated homelessness. Their lives before, and after, which shows how homelessness is meant to be temporary. It was important to explore how those in early Islamic history during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) addressed homelessness.

The positive contributions that those navigated homelessness faced, like Abu Hurrairah (RA), and his compilation of Ahadith. The role of a mosque in providing support and care like done at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’s time. It was shared how Prophet Muhammad (SAW) raised a sheltered platform towards the outside area of the mosque to accommodate those that temporarily did not have a home. The sheltered platform was a place where they studied Islam and later made contributions in the community.

I hoped to highlight that our adversities are meant to be temporary, and that despite layers of vulnerabilities, we can still rise towards making a difference in our communities.

We can still find strength and be a strength for others when going through adversities.

We are just meant to trust Allah (SWT), try hard, and care for others also facing difficulties.

We are meant to be a strength for our vulnerable — this is how we can find strength.

After sharing on Islamic history, and attendees hearing from Jeff, the workshop contained a series of questions for group interactions for attendees to later share insights gained.

There were questions on what was strength to them, what vulnerability looked like to them, and what we can learn about strength and vulnerability from the stories of the Prophets. There was the question on how we can be there for the vulnerable in the community as an individual and as a community.

What I found most refreshing from the discussions was hearing from the attendees that were children.

The book launch made it clear, that ‘Strength from Within’ is not just meant to be read by adults, but also children.

We are meant to talk about the heavier topics in life with children instead of shielding them away.

Life with disabilities advocates that.

Children always have the potential to surpass our expectations especially if we provide an environment for them to grow.

Children with disabilities also have that potential.

This is what ‘Strength from Within’ is about.

This book launch truly felt like a mercy and gift from Allah (SWT).

A reminder to never give up and trust His timings and plans.

Allah (SWT) will send people to support you at the right time, but we must learn how to express our needs, and share our hopes and vision within the community. We are meant to face hurdles, and barriers, because that is life. We will feel buried and will sometimes face the risk of being left behind.

But seeds do eventually bloom.

Don’t stop watering and having faith.

The end of the Hong Kong book launch may have appeared like the end, but to me, it was the beginning.

I could see our community rise and have hope for our future.

May we all be amongst those the actively end homelessness and care for all of our vulnerable, Ameen.

Have you ever faced a challenge that felt insurmountable? This book offers a gentle light on overcoming adversity. Strength From Within shares the author's experiences with physical limitations and the hidden strengths discovered within hardship.

Through personal stories and insights, it explores the beauty found in overcoming struggles and finding hope, even in the most difficult times. It's not a self-help manual, but a warm invitation to discover your own resilience.

The attainment of these treasures may be painful, but it ultimately provides comfort and hope. It allows us to discover strengths that we never thought we had, and to eventually have a more enriched experience. It is a source of encouragement to remain hopeful. It is a reminder to never give up, just like the chosen examples before us.

Strength From Within

9781847742230 - Paperback - Sa'diyya Nesar