“The first House of worship appointed for mankind was that at Mecca; full of blessings and of guidance for all kinds of beings. In it are signs manifest; for example, the station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty mankind owe to Allah …” Koran 3:96-97.

This week saw pilgrims complete the Hajj journey which is one of the five pillars of Islam and a duty to Allah.

The Hajj is an auspicious and spiritual experience for the pilgrims, absolving them of their past sins as well as gaining purity of the soul. The experience should bring the pilgrim closer to Allah.

The pilgrimage unites over 1.8 billion Muslims from every corner of the globe. This profound unity was inspirational in a letter written by El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, formerly Malcolm X, describing his experience when he made Hajj.

Here is an excerpt, but I urge you to read the whole letter at your leisure. It is awe inspiring indeed: “During the past 11 days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug – while praying to the same God – with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the words and in the deeds of the White Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the Black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana. We were truly all the same [brothers] because [of] their belief in one God …”

Though this letter was written many years ago the same spirit of unity by Muslims from every walk of life still holds true today.

May Allah (swt) accept the Hajj of all that performed it and may they be rewarded tenfold in this life and the next. Ameen.

Often we take for granted so much, especially people and opportunities – two of the most precious commodities we can have. Yet time and time again we fall short of appreciating what we have and who we have. We should always be aware to seize opportunities when presented to us, as opportunities are rare. We also need to constantly appreciate and pay homage to the achievements that have been made by courageous trailblazers who have blazed the paths that have made our journey easier, even possible at all. These people sacrificed so much for the future of their fellowmen.

We have angels in the form of courageous, unselfish and dedicated people among us here on earth. Angels who fight to make their countries, their communities and the world a better place despite the time, sacrifices and personal losses they may endure. These are unselfish heroes.

One of our heroes recently made the inevitable transition that we all must make when the call is made: Brother Ottiwell Simmons, fondly known as Brother Ottie, departed this earthly life. Indeed his purpose here in Bermuda was fulfilled. Allah says in the Noble Koran 3:185 “Every soul shall taste death, and only on the Day of Judgement will you be paid your full recompense.”

Brother Ottie was a household name. My father, Brother Leonard Abdullah Ming, was a strong supporter of the Bermuda Industrial Union just as he was a strong believer in Allah and His Messenger – I grew up recognising and respecting greatness.

I pray that our Brother Ottie's achievements are chronicled in the Bermuda Public School curriculum in both Social Studies and History. We the people must ensure that this is done, and done in a timely fashion as time is of the essence. Educators listen up to the task. We also need history books that include our national heroes to be on the shelves of our youth and adult libraries.

I also pray that our schools have a solid Islamic curriculum and a well stocked library of Islamic literature.

I think we need to reconsider this decade wait of honouring Bermuda’s national heroes. Indeed Ottiwell Askew Simmons is a dedicated and most deserving son of the soil to be bestowed this prestigious title; his achievements are astonishing. Indeed he was a giant of a man. Allah the Almighty certainly allowed Brother Ottie to fulfil his life’s purpose.

The words that come to me in summary of his achievements are, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” May Allah be pleased with Brother Ottiwell Simmons.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. He was devoted to spreading the message he was tasked to do by Allah (swt) to make a change for the betterment of the people; he was determined to make a difference, to make the people in every corner of the world.

In Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) last speech delivered on Mount Arafat he said, “All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Bermuda we have work to do for success in this life and the next; there’s no time to waste.

Kudos to my dear friend Brother Glenn Fubler for the insight to hold an event honouring the legacies of Brother Ottiwell Simmons and our past national heroes. A reminder also that a warm welcome awaits you at any of the three Masajid (Masjids) every Friday for our Jumaah services.

Have a blessed week Bermuda.

As salaam alaikum.

Malcolm X’s full letter describing his pilgrimage to Mecca, can be found here: muslimmemo.com/malcolm-x-letter-hajj

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam