ZAKARIA

Anwar El-Chaddli hails from a douar in the Doukkala region. He began his studies in El Jadida, where he memorized the Quran and studied primary Islamic texts, as is customary in that area. Later, he was guided to a more traditional approach to learning and joined a Quranic school in western Morocco to dedicate himself to memorizing the Quran. I met him there intermittently and was impressed by his diligence, hard work, and fervent desire to succeed. This was reflected in his Quranic journey, as he memorized the entire book with great precision on his first attempt. Days and months passed, and Anwar moved to Kenitra to teach the Quran to young people. The director of the school had some medical tests done for him, and it was discovered that a malignant disease had infiltrated his body, a body that was once a symbol of perfect health among his peers. He accepted the news with contentment and faith in God's will, deciding not to inform his parents. He continued his work, traveling occasionally to Mohammedia, where his religious scholar brother lived. His brother accompanied him on his chemotherapy journey, and then Anwar would return to Kenitra to fulfill his mission of teaching. After completing the treatment sessions, he was delighted to learn that the cancerous cells had vanished. He went to his village and held a family feast to celebrate his recovery. My friend from Doukkala breathed a sigh of relief and began a new life. His smile and sense of humor, which had never left him before his trial, returned. He completed his faith by getting married, seeking peace and tranquility, and strengthened his spiritual journey by performing Umrah. (I wish his story had ended there). But only a few days later, he was shocked to find the disease had returned. The doctors told him he needed to go to France for surgery to remove the malignant cells at their source. Like many students of knowledge, he had limited resources, and his body could no longer withstand the effects of the treatments, which had caused extreme fatigue, weakness, and loss of hair on his head and beard. He decided to follow the dietary advice of a defunct herbalist, which worsened his condition and weakened his body. He then entered the world of Ruqyah, believing that his suffering was due to a spell cast on him. Yesterday, I went with some friends to visit him at his brother's home in Mohammedia. I found Anwar suffering in silence, with cancerous tumors spread throughout his body. He had lost his voice, his features had changed, and his body was emaciated. He is in his twenties. He was only eating honey, anointing himself with oil, drinking water recited over with Quranic verses, and having his brother recite over him. He told us in a faint voice that he wanted to go to France for treatment but was helpless. So, I decided to write these lines to make his condition known, hoping that a compassionate heart will be moved to save him after his friends of yesterday failed him. Funds will be used to cover the medical treatment of Anwar and hospital fees.