ZamZam – Story of Resilience

When we had to leave Afghanistan in 2021, my mom packed something super special— a tiny bottle of ZamZam water that came from my great-grandpa. It’s really important to us because it’s not just water; it’s like a little bottle of miracles! People say it can fix boo-boos, scare away worries, and even make you feel happy if you drink it the right way. It’s amazing because it never goes bad, no matter how long you keep it. So, carrying it with us felt like we had a little bit of magic to help us as we started moving to a new home far away.

ZamZam water is super special to a lot of people who believe in God, like in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. It comes from a well in Mecca, a super important place in Islam, where it bubbled up a long time ago to help Hagar and her son Ishmael when they were really thirsty and alone in the desert. That story means a lot to me, especially because we were also going to a new place far, far away—like 7,000 miles!

Leaving my home was really tough. I had to say goodbye to my friends, my school, and all the places I loved. Having the ZamZam water made me feel like I was taking a piece of my home with me. But at the airport, they said we couldn’t bring the bottle with us. It was so sad to leave it behind; it felt like leaving part of my heart.

But the story of ZamZam water didn’t end there. Back home, people shared it during big gatherings and special times, showing kindness and coming together. Even though we couldn’t bring the bottle, I carry its story in my heart. I think if I tell people here about it, they might find it as cool as I do—not just because it’s about water, but because it shows how everyone, no matter where they’re from, has stories about getting through tough times and finding hope, just like Hagar did.

The story of how ZamZam water was found is like a fairy tale. Hagar was in the desert, really worried because she and her son needed water. They were left there by Prophet Abraham who wanted to test them in their faith or something. Anyway, she ran back and forth between two hills so many times, trying to find help. When she came back, tired and sad, she saw that water had started to bubble up right near Ishmael. It’s said that little Ishmael was kicking his heels on the ground, and that’s how the water came out. Hagar tried to stop it by saying “ZamZam” (which means stop), but it kept flowing. Now, it’s a symbol of never giving up hope.

I wanted to share this because I think it can help bring people closer, no matter where they’re from, and show how we all face hard times but miracles can happen. Now, living in America as refugees, we face new challenges, but I believe we can make it through, just like Hagar did. I want to tell more about our journey here, and how, despite everything, we keep going. I hope my story can make others believe in miracles too, just like I do.