Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 245
227 I was once travelling from Pakistan to the Gambia. The Turkish airliner had taken off from Karachi airport and was to fly over Dubai on its way to Ankara. In due course an announcement was made that we would be passing over Dubai shortly. I had never been to Dubai but had heard a lot about its spaciousness and beauty from my friends. Suddenly, I had a wish that somehow Allah cause the plane to make a stop at Dubai airport during the journey. It was a strange childish wish that developed in my heart; it has puzzled me till today. After a short while, another announcement was made by a lady that because of technical problems the plane was going to land at Dubai airport and that the passengers could go to the airport lounge during that stay. Soon we were strolling in the Dubai airport. We were there for about two hours. We saw the shopping centre, did some shopping. It was the first opportunity to see the Arabs so closely. The grandeur of the airport was adorable and worth seeing. This journey became an historical and unforgettable one as it showed that there is an All-hearing, All-knowing God who fulfils the wishes of sinners like us in this way, Alhamdolillah. Divine Camera I went to a village Msira Yahya in Kolda region; I was accompanied by our muallim Sheikh Mbalo. The village imam was well advanced in age and was well respected in the area because of his knowledge and wisdom. When I had met him, he said: ‘I have taken your photograph that I will keep with me for the rest of my life’. I was surprised, what photo, who took it and when, and who gave it to him? It was my first meeting with him and that