Mother Mejra, who lost three sons and her husband in the genocide, goes on Hajj: A smile is accompanied by the shadow of those who are no more

(Patria) - In Bosnia and Herzegovina, before departing for Hajj, the ikrar prayer is recited for those going to this holy place. These are moments when a person rejoices at going to the place where the Messenger, peace be upon him, walked and from which the torch of Islam originated.

One of those who will make a pilgrimage to this holy place is Mejra Đogaz from Srebrenica, whose three sons and husband were killed in the genocide. Ahmed ef. Hrustanović dedicated a Facebook status to her, which we transmit in its entirety.

Today, at the Hajj (ikrar) prayer, in the soul of our mother Mejra Đogaz, sorrow and joy intertwine.

Mejra's three sons, Zuhdija, Mubib and Omer, and her husband Mustafa were killed in the genocide in Srebrenica. The four pillars of her life were destroyed in one criminal moment that left a scar not only on her heart but also on the soul of an entire nation.

Yet today, Mejra is joyful. Her heart is filled with a special joy because of her departure for Hajj, but that joy carries a veil of sorrow. Grief for her sons and beloved Mustafa has covered the celebration, like a cloud that hides the sun, gently but inexorably.

In our tradition, ikrar prayers are moments of joy, pride and honour. We rejoice for those who go on Hajj, because we know that their prayer before the House of God, the holiest place in Islam, will also be for us. We know that on Arafat, under the stars of Medina, in Mecca, someone will utter our name and pray to the Almighty for forgiveness, mercy and relief.

Mejra, however, began the prayer differently. She asked that Yasin be recited for the souls of her sons and husband. It was not the custom, but it was her condition, an expression of her faith, sorrow and hope. So we did. We recited Yasin and remembered those who were laid in the earth without a goodbye, without a grave, without a voice.

In the fields of genocide, we do not know how to rejoice differently. It is not that we do not know how, but we do not want to and cannot. Because our laughter is always somewhat drowned out by a sob that does not stop. Because our smile is always accompanied by the shadow of those who are missing. Because our life is marked by an emptiness that even time cannot fill.

But that is why we rely on God. He knows all our pains. He sees every tear. He alone can heal hearts broken by sorrow, comfort souls that have lost everything. He gives sabr, He gives hope. And He promises a reward to those who endure.

Our Mejra knows this. All the mothers of Srebrenica, Podrinje, Bosnia, Palestine know this. Mothers who live without their sons, but with faith in the Almighty. They do not seek attention. They do not shout. They are silent, modestly, quietly, with dignity. Their silent cry echoes to the Throne.

Their eyes speak more than a thousand words. And their heart, although broken, shows the strength that only a mother can carry. They are the mothers of the Ummah of Muhammad, peace be upon him, mothers of hope, mothers of pain and pride.

And when such a mother goes on Hajj, it is not just joy, it is a gift to the entire nation. It is a quiet light in the midst of darkness that says: we are still here, we still hope, we still believe.