DESTROYED. The best word to describe the current situation in Marawi City. Since May 23^rd last year, history has documented a new record that Marawi is now experiencing the hard and bitter phase following the assaults initiated by a militant group, more or less a radical Islamic troop. The assault occurred due to the Philippines military armies who were in search of a Daesh leader.

Following the conflict, it has sacrificed a total number of at least 165 armies and police officers as well as 45 residents living in the area while 300,000 people were classified as refugees. According to a report written on a local newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, the conflict was actually under anticipation following the environmental area of Mindanao which seen as a ‘prospective’ location for the militant to build a fortress.

The outcome of that incident had captured the attention of many societies, primarily non-government organisations (NGO) specialising in humanitarian works. Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) as an international NGO became one of the first to act on top of the others in tackling the issue. Just recently, IRM alongside Ukhuwah 4 Ummah (U4U) and a line of Malaysian local celebrities have efficaciously launched a humanitarian campaign, Squad Celebrity Global Volunteers Project in four countries. Indirectly, Marawi is one those selected locations involved in the mentioned project.

Last April, IRM sent a group of activists and squad to delve into the hardship of people in Marawi City whom were announced as refugees. Mohd Ridzuan Othman, one of the squads during the humanitarian mission made a few notes to share his experience on the present environmental situation in the destroyed city. He said, Marawi was once a city accommodated by elitists, mainly those who had businesses in the sector of agriculture.

Upon arrival in Marawi, the first thing ever learned was getting pumped up with the language that must be well taken care at all cost as there are several forbidden words such as a few names of militant groups and some sensitive terms in Tagalog. “Such words are completely disallowed to be spoken out as we were told that the residents are sensitive,” he said gently in an interview.

Previously, Marawi is formerly known as a well-known Islamic city but now left abandoned without any proper religious teachings. Majority of the refugees in the area are still practicing Islam, however, the application in daily life is slowly fading. What’s more to say when Muslim residents are required to register a second name for official affairs as Islamic names are denied.

“Marawi City is labelled as ground-zero and Most Affected Area (MAA),” Ridzuan added. It is labelled in such category as a result of war that happened over the location last year. To date, the area is under control of armed forces and tanks that monitor very strictly. According to a news report, the militant group was seen to exploit Marawi as a conflicting tool between Islam and Christianity in an effort to gain supports from the Muslim community. Apart from that, the group desired to ‘clean up’ Syiah, Christian, and Musyriqin out of Marawi. Ridzuan also mentioned that there are still corpses not found in the wreckages.

Nevertheless, the humanitarian squad for Marawi also faced another threat from the local citizen. “The incident happened the moment we finished performing Zuhur prayer at an institution. We were informed that there were several residents who attempted to threaten us and did not welcome our presence in the country.” Following that incident, they had to ignore their plans and the squad was brought out of that place for security reasons.

The humanitarian squad in Marawi also had the opportunity to interact with displaced people at Bito Buadi Itowa Camp. Here, their presence was contentedly greeted with ‘Song for Marawi’ sang by a group of kids. Just by looking at their face, it expels the light of hope that they only desire is to have a place called shelter. Education is one of the issues identified during their visit. As a city consisting of many Muslims, the people in that area believe that education is the best asset that should be offered, especially basic teaching of Islam since the practice is not being upheld.

For Ridzuan, he did not expect Marawi would appear that worse in the first place and that of the situation is comparable with the one in Syria. He further added, due to a different creed of faith, one whole province is affected. Through this humanitarian mission, each of them hopes that the issue in Marawi could pull the attention of many eyes in the outside world.

Had it not been for knowledge, I rose. Education is seen as one of the most indispensable aspects of life in navigating the young generation to think critically and globally. With knowledge at hands, the attitude of young people can easily be shaped through a role model known as ‘teacher’. A Malay proverb once emphasised, “bending the bamboo should start at its shrubs” which carries the meaning about shaping attitude. Aside from parents who are the main actor to provide education for their children, teachers are also responsible to educate them towards forming a better generation.

Nevertheless, education seems to be something extraordinary for a certain group of people and sometimes a burden on their shoulders. Wan Shakila Adila Wan Azmi, a teacher at Rohingya Intellectual, Skills, & Excellence (RISE) shared her experience throughout her duty at this alternative school since it was first launched.

Initially, she took four months to shape the behaviour of Rohingyan children who disregarded moral values that should be practiced in daily life. Had it not been for humanitarian reason and wanting to help, Wan Shakila believes the future of these children will turn brighter. “I believe the future of RISE will be assured through maximum guidance being applied to these Rohingyan children,” she explained.

To her, every single person is entitled to have a place for education and that it should not be questioned. Besides, education should be dispersed equally including the less fortunate people. She also pointed Rohingyan children had not been exposed to education for so long. “The importance of knowledge for these kids is because it has been until third generation they did not get any education,” she said when being interviewed. Additionally, Wan Shakila believes that education can reform civilisation through the emphasis or moral values and knowledge.

In Malaysia, students are taught to look for their talents and skills as a preparation for them to find their respective capabilities. However for Rohingyan students at RISE, education will make them realise the history of their generation and nation in the past. Education like this will widely open their eyes to see what is happening with their generations in the home country. In the meantime, it is knowledge that becomes the root to differentiate between them and the other Rohingyan children.

Educating student is surely a big challenge. As a teacher at an alternative school, Wan Shakila not only teaches Rohingyan children at RISE but also runs the school alongside other teachers to smooth out the day-to-day operations at RISE. What is most challenging for her is the responsibility to shape their behaviour through the application of moral values. “I am also responsible for reforming their behavior. To form morals is no easy task because they are totally different to be compared with Malaysian children who are well educated,” she added.

When asked about the specialty of these children, Wan Shakila notes that they have a very good discipline and self-control. “Although we took four months to educate them, their attitude has changed and they started practicing moral values in daily life. They are also very fond of learning and often ask ‘homework’ to bring back home so they can share with their parents,” she explained. To reform their attitude, she performs activities together so that these children can follow along. Wan Shakila also believes that if we want to educate young kids, we need to lead by example.

As a teacher, she hopes that opportunities for underprivileged children to acquire knowledge should not be neglected. If education is essential, we should not dispute some groups because education is for all without compromising any skin color. If it is not us, who else will?

The success a person achieves today will not be a reality without the truest pillar of supportive system, a person we call ‘Mom’. Indeed, a mother bears the responsibility to take care of their children and this proves the inner strength of a mother to perform their task in shaping the youth’s future generation. What’s more to say when a mother is the spine to every child. However, different mothers face different levels of hardship in surviving through difficulties.

Julina Lassim, a single mother who is also one of the beneficiaries of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) spent some time sharing her challenges she faced all this while. The death of his beloved is a wake up call that it was a bitter fact for her to go on with life. There was not a single property being handed over except for the home which is now her shelter today.

“Previously, it was very tough and difficult because as a single mother, I had to bear all the responsibilities and given the fact the life has pushed me to rock-bottom,” she said when being interviewed. Julina who was also a cleaner at a private institution is now unable to continue servicing due to her health condition.

Julina’s situation became more intense when her attempt to get a pension from the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) regarding her spinal condition was unsuccessful because SOCSO believed that Julina could still perform duties normally. Not to mention, she has also suffered from Thyroid and undergone surgery previously. Indirectly, this has been the loss for Julina’s income to support her family.

In fact, Julina explained that she was supported by Zakat to run a business and there were related equipment and machines given but she was unable to retain the business with the absence of necessary budgets to cover the cost for the forthcoming periods. “I really hope that I could attend classes and learn more about business so I can gain extra income with the knowledge.”

A mother of four children also faces another major challenge from the community when two of her children are dyslexic. “I just couldn’t describe it. I feel so disappointed with teachers throwing out vulgar words to my kid,” she explained in grief. Things are not easy for Julina to raise dyslexic children as needs moral support from the community in educating her child.

Knowing her son, she believes his child’s capability is just as the other students in class but needs guidance as best as possible. She said, although feeling dejected, there are still people who are willingly helping us to provide assistance. “I’m really thankful to have a nephew who is willing to sacrifice her time to sacrifice to guide my child in education.” Educating a lesser than normal child is tough for her. But yet, Julina will still uphold her will to continue sacrifice for the future of her children.

Julina’s two children who are dyslexic had to attend special classes and they were previously referred to a special school but since Julina has no proper transportation and her poor physical health status, she could not afford to send her children to the school. Furthermore,, his son has a great soul and such a high spirit to study at school.

Despite having poor health condition, Julina is very determined to continue gaining income by working at home, selling savoury cakes and cookies for the sake of survival. As a mother, she hopes that her children can become someone successful in the future and change the fate of family as these children are the source of strength to face every hardship.