Seven refugee and asylum-seeker children have written and published a collection of stories exploring what kindness means to them, drawing on their own experiences of arriving and rebuilding their lives in the UK.
The children’s book, Allah Loves Kindness, was created by the charity Zubeda Welcome, which supports refugee children in the UK to be proud of their Muslim identity.
Over several weeks, the young authors spent hours writing and reflecting on their personal experiences of compassion, generosity and belonging.
The book idea came from the charity’s founder Atia Lokhat — a children’s author and primary school teacher.
She led online writing sessions with the young contributors and asked them to write stories reflecting on the Quran’s teachings.
“The children were asked to choose some of their favourite verses and link them to stories of kindness towards animals, people and the environment,” explains Atia.
“When we were into the third week of our writing sessions, I asked the children to read out the first draft of their stories and the Quranic verse linked to them, and I was so impressed.”
“It touched me to the core to think that children who were not always at the receiving end of kindness — due to the stereotypes and discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers in the UK — are telling stories to inspire others to be kinder.”
‘Teach Quran, Retain Eman’
The book forms part of Zubeda Welcome’s wider mission to support refugee and asylum-seeker children.
“Our mission statement, ‘Teach Quran, Retain Eman’, guides us in providing refugee and asylum seeker children in the UK with access to Islamic education and holistic support to help them retain their Muslim identity,” says Atia.
The book is the result of the organisation’s Empowerment Project, which teaches young people the Quran and offers funded placements in madrashas. The project also helps youngsters develop confidence and skills through initiatives such as public speaking, writing, leadership training and Quran competitions.
Alongside the children’s contributions, Atia has written a personal story in the book about how her mother’s “Sadaqah jar” shaped her understanding of charity.
“I watched her put money into this jar (which was actually a mayonnaise jar) for years, and then she would give it to the needy,” says Atia. “My mother’s kind nature and reminders to give to those who are less fortunate are what inspired me to establish Zubeda Welcome.”
The charity is also selling Sadaqah jars alongside the book, encouraging families to start their own tradition of charitable giving at home.
Proceeds from both the book and the jars will go directly towards supporting Zubeda Welcome’s programmes for displaced children in the UK.
“It demonstrates the full circle of giving,” Atia says. “Zubeda Welcome supported these seven children. Now they are using their stories to give back to support other children like them.”
