yesterday we suffered from one of the worst earthquakes that has hit this country. besides a small percentage of the wealthy most of this country is poor. the middle class is almost non existant. most people live in villages and a small population live in towns. a lot of the rural areas have been hit the hardest. due to this earthquake whole villages have been destroyed leaving countless homeless, several injured and many dead. inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. they are still counting bodies.

severity of this earthquake came as a serious shock when we found out that 2 apartment buildings a few minutes from where we live collapsed to the ground. a pile of rubble lays there with enough spectators but without the facilites to help those who are trapped underneath. since yesterday people have been trying to move concrete blocks piece by piece. they do this by hand because we don't have proper emergency relief or equipment. there are a few helicopters circling the area reporting the damage. but we don't realize the seriousness of all of this because we haven't really left our homes. the roads are blocked to the area so even ambulances are having a difficult time going through to take the victims for all too necessary medical care. the crowd gathered around to help has been an actual hazard since it's difficult to move the debris with them surrounding the access to the rubble. also people are fearing being close to the actual buildings because there is a third tower which has questionable supporting structure due to the other falling.

after the actual earthquake around 9a we still felt tremors until 4p when there was another one. not as huge though. alhumdulillah. being on alert is exhausting to say the least. watching all of the damage at the margalla towers on tv is depressing. i wish i could help. i have friends who were helping at the site yesterday. in such adversity i curse my own helplessness. i wish i could do something. anything.

but what can people do right now? we need tools such as huge cranes to help lift the debris to rescue the unaccounted for family members. people are being rescued one by one. i'm not scared. i'm just sad for those who are trapped. and that not everyone realizes we may be hindering the rescue process by being there to help but actually blocking professionals if any to get to the scene.

personally, my family has been recieving phone calls since all of this started. especially from friends who know we reside close to its epicenter. we listen for the birds getting louder and the dogs barking right before all of us leave the house for open ground. everyone is quiet. we beg for mercy from Allah swt. i see my family members worried and i'm concerned about their health and mental peace.

last night it also started storming. actually there was a hail storm. Allah hu akbar. we're being tested when we are in dire need. please make dua for all of us. my family and close friends and their families are safe. alhumdulillah. but there are many that are not as fortunate. please take out some time to ask for help for them in your duas.

this month is a month of blessing. we can ask Allah swt anything because He is the most gracious. this earthquake is a true calamity and i'm asking you to keep those who are suffering in your duas. i have to go now to keep the phone lines free to inform those concerned. sorry if this is haphazard but i'll write more when i can inshAllah