The Grenfell Tower fire happened around 19th/20th of Ramadan in 2017. Many Shuhadah. It was a horrible experience, for both directly affected and for onlookers.
I went down to the tower the night after. It was still burning. It was an eerie feeling, knowing people were still in that tower.
There was another two thousand or so people outside with food, clothing etc. which was never really used. For some it became like a outdoor party. For some it was an opportunity to promote their charity despite not having anything to do with supporting local causes in UK.
I helped distribute Zakah to some survivors and residents of Grenfell and surrounding buildings, brothers and sisters in the days after. SubhanAllah these people were giving Zakah one day and receiving it the next. It was a humbling experience.
A brother I spoke to was from Saudi. So I had a chat with him about Hajj and Umrah. It was a lovely conversation. I actually forgot something he had mentioned that I added on the Women's Hajj Companion book (honestly can't remember).
I spoke to a sister who was wearing sunglasses in doors. She had some ID to show and took off her glasses. I personally didn't need to see ID nor looked at her face directly. I had to fight back tears after what she said "the reason I wear these sunglasses is to hide my tears".
Another sister was very jolly despite the tragedy. She said she saw her neighbours jump off the tower and die. She asked about any Eid events for children (as we were still in Ramadan). I suggested one that was organised by a charity quite close to the tower.
I remember another brother who asked me if I could give him more money (he asked with a shy looking face). "I want to buy Eid gifts for children". This shook me. Despite all he had gone through, he was still looking to keep his children happy. I often remember him every time I think of Eid gifts for the children in my family.
Grenfell was a hard experience and one where no one yet has gone to prison for. May Allah grant Jannatul Firdaus to all the deceased and bring justice to them all, Aameen
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