Belco has gone too far with its increase in the fuel adjustment rate and has pushed us in Bermuda over the edge.

The journey is over, the destination has been reached. We, the people, are at breaking point. When will the powers that be realise that we, the people, are yet again under siege? Indeed we are in a state of crisis.

Allah will not place a burden on the people that they cannot bear, so why is it that the powers that be are insistent on piling boulders on the people? Why is it that they insist we carry these heavy boulders that they are placing on us and expect us to remain in quiet acceptance? We all know that silence condones. The people are tired and rightfully so, hence we will not be silent any longer.

Why must Bermudians be forced to decide whether they should eat or pay the bills? Not all the bills mind you, just the most pertinent ones. We certainly cannot afford to meet every monthly financial commitment of running a household in Bermuda. The wages just don’t allow us to meet and match the high, ever rising cost of living in these islands.

Bermudians pride themselves on being able to pay what they owe and pay it on time, so imagine the stress, anxiety and strain this cost of living dilemma is causing and how it is impacting on the physical, mental and emotional health of the people. Certainly this can’t be right!

Trust was given to the powers that be in good faith and hope that the woes of the people would be eased. However, we have been sorely let down. For years this crisis has been brewing; festering like an uncontrollable hurricane and for years we have endured in patience and silence.

We cannot continue like this any more. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron. (Saheeh)

Greed has created, allowed and put us in this perilous situation we are currently in. Inflation has affected the whole world because of the greed of the powers that be, the people who run the world.

Allah the Creator, created this earth with the natural resources to help and assist His creation to live comfortably. However, a greedy and capitalist society has exploited the people with extortionate prices for resources that God Almighty gave us.

If we’re not careful, very soon, we the people will be charged by the powers that be for breathing the God-given air – air given freely by Almighty God. How dare they! Do they think that the God of justice will not intervene? (Koran 16:128).

Surely it is a matter of time. Allah tells us to be patient in all things but, whilst being patient, to call on Him for relief. The patience Allah wants us to display does not mean for us to allow ourselves to be trodden on and abused. Absolutely not, Allah wants us to face the challenges with thought, endurance and perseverance to successfully obtain the objective.

Allah has promised that He will reward our patience with success whilst we strive to improve our situation. Allah said: “And be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.” (Koran, 8:46).

Allah is, of course, with those who guard against evil, and those who are doers of good to others. The financial crisis we are in is in fact, nothing short of evil.

Abu Saeed Al-Khudree (RA) said: “I heard the Messenger (pbuh) of Allah say: ‘Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart and that is the weakest of faith.’ (Muslim: 49 a)

“And be patiently persevering. Verily, you can exercise patient endurance only with [the help of] Allâh. Do not grieve at their state, nor feel distressed on account of their intrigues [out of enmity for you].” (Koran 16:27)

Allah is, of course, with those who guard against evil, and those who are doers of good to others. We are in this together for the betterment of the people of Bermuda.

Islam is a religion of hope. We must all play our part in helping to change our condition but most importantly, not lose hope and trust in Allah. We must adhere to His guidance to be successful against those who intend to oppress us through evil and greed. May Allah alleviate the condition of the citizens of Bermuda.

Bermuda, keep the faith and keep on keeping on.

As salaam alaikum. (Peace be unto you.)

• 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