By Abdullahi Jamaa
His voice is gentle, pure and of boyish enunciation. He speaks with confidence yet with childhood innocence. So ardent and so obedient.
“I am happy about my performance in KCPE” Kalid Keir told Smart Muslim “I thank Allah for this and I thank my parents and teachers for their support”
Kalid 13, a Muslim boy, a shining star from Lafey Primary School beat against all odds coming out with a score of 407, the best in the entire county of Mandera.
Admittedly, his success did not just come easily, it was a perfect combination of hard work, obedience to parents, teachers and unmatched religious commitment.
As young as he is, Kalid is a friend of the Magnificent Quran, a true progeny of Islam and a boy who knows very well why it matters to put Allah first and others second.
“I love the Quran so much. I recite and complete one Juzu every single day” He said
For a boy of his age this is a pure sacrifice, one that really differentiates success from failure.
His lovely mother, Habiba Yussuf, is a tough woman who constantly reminds young Kalid on why it’s important to put his Quran classes first before anything else.
“Kalid studies in the local madrassa. I am particularly very serious with his religious lessons and for sure he did not disappoint “Mrs Habiba explains.
Kalid’s success is a powerful indication that commitments to faith and spiritual dedication is one sure way to accomplish worldly accolades if his KCPE performance is anything to by.
Perhaps this Qur’anic verse that he has come across so many times in his daily recitation gave him the necessary consolations to achieve such an academic excellence.
“O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good – that you may succeed.” Quran 22:77
He left nothing to chance in becoming the best student, taking more time in the Masjid just as in class in his extra ordinary hunt for success.
He picked his daily life race at 5.am, attending the local Masjid for early morning prayers before proceeding for his school work.
His head teacher Mr. Khalif Ali Ahmed calls him “a boy of religion” for his commitment not just to the Magnificent Quran but also to other acts of worship.
“We knew that he will pass well because he is a well-disciplined boy in both academic and religious matters” Mr. Khalif said “He deserved it. We are happy about this as his teachers”
Lafey his hometown is a remote hamlet some 120km East Mandera town. And Lafey Primary, Kalid’s school which boasts more than 1200 students is one of best performing institutions in the county.
But the school has its fair share of challenges, although basic learning infrastructures improved since its inception in 1986, it grapples with educational inadequacies.
“We have improved a lot since 1986 especially on enrolment and student retention but still we have few areas we need to improve. At the moment we have shortage of language teachers” says Mr. Khalif
But if the mundane schooling environment across the parched and bare North-eastern region is a real concern, Lafey Primary School is undoubtedly a centre of excellence by local standards.
Coming from a humble family in one of the poorest counties of Kenya, Kalid must have woken up to School many days on an empty belly.
He has done most of his preps especially during holidays inside a hot open hearth, turning the golden pages of the Holy Quran first before picking his school books.
A doctor in the making
That is why this Quran boy deserves not just a round of applause but a fitting reward to put him on the path to a successful future.
Kalid is a doctor in the making, the type who blow the healing verses of ‘fatiha’ before they place stethoscope on the body of their patients.
“When I complete my studies, I would like be a doctor InshaAllah. I would like to help my community in future” he says.
In the words of Abu Darda (ra), the noble companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and one of the great scholars and reciters of the Quran “Allah blesses sincere effort with success”
Kalid’s mother is proud of her son. She is hopeful that her son the first born of the family will always be a friend of Qur’an.
“He has been an obedient child since he was born. I want him to maintain the same discipline” Habiba hopes
Since he is from a poor family, Kalid’s brimming hope of becoming a doctor may remain a pipedream if he doesn’t get financial support to allow him scale the ladder of education.
Editor’s note: If you are willing to assist Kalid in achieving his dream of becoming a doctor kindly send an email to editor@smartmuslim.co.ke, we will InshaAllah connect you with his parents and teachers.
