Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 268
250 permission from the concerned ministry; that was not possible. He was very frank and sympathetic and entertained us very well. He told us that he had started building a big Arabic School with a hostel. Most of it had been completed but a part has been left unfinished since long. When we asked the reason, he explained: ‘I had prayed to Allah for affluence. If granted, I promised to Allah that I will build a big school with the request to keep me alive till the mission is completed. Allah heard me and granted me a lot of money. I have started fulfilling my promise and have completed most of it but left a part unfinished because I took Allah’s promise to keep me alive till it is completed. You see, I am still young and if the job is completed …’ Heavenly Hospitality ‘Manna from heaven’ In August 1992, we (the whole family) were going to Pakistan on leave. From the Gambia we went to London, attended the jalsa and then went to Germany to see our relatives there. We returned from Germany by Philippines Airline, which being the cheapest, was favourite with the Pakistanis. However, its planes were in a bad shape and dangerous. We arrived at Frankfurt Airport early in the morning for the flight due to leave at 8 am. On arrival at the airport, we were told that the flight was delayed by two hours, therefore the passengers could go to the restaurant and have breakfast worth eight Mark per person. We had seven tickets, therefore got so much to eat that the relatives who had come to see us off also enjoyed this heavenly hospitality. Later the plane arrived and we reached London. The connecting