Our Benevolent People

I planned to use this blog to write about my favorite subject, history. Between studies, work and family responsibilities, I hardly have time to write. Today, I am encouraged to write again, but for different reasons.

I want to dedicate this post to the memory of Tajiks, not past but the current generation who suffers so much. I am not sure if I will be able to write everything that I have in my mind, but I want to put it out there nonetheless.

On August 23, 2011, I learned about the passing of Timur Abdukayumov in Colorado via a post on Facebook. The Tajik community in Colorado, though small at the time, was able to collect some money for burial. In fact, the Tajiks of Colorado gave Timur a proper Muslim burial. Of course, originally the idea was to send his body back home, so his family can properly mourn his passing. But it was far too expensive to do so, especially for a small community of Tajiks in Colorado. Many people learned about Timur's passing a bit late, but money was still being gathered after his burial. People from all over the United States (and Europe) donated to a PayPal account set up by a young Tajik lady in Nebraska. The final amount of all donations totaled $1650. With transfer fees that bank charged, there was still a substantial amount, which was decided to be given to Timur's mother.

That summer, I had an idea, which I was never able to fulfill, even in writing. This idea was stuck somewhere in the back of my mind, always scratching in less than cheerful days.

Such a day came in July of 2012. That summer Tajik government's forces entered the last remaining territory in the country where there was still active opposition. In 1997, the official peace was signed, between the warring sides in the bloody civil war of Tajikistan. It was all a farce, for the government was gathering strength for 15 years. When Tajik army entered Badakhshan last summer in order to fight the "enemy" the innocent people died. Twenty two civilians were killed, two of whom were children. Many efforts from outside the country were made to help those families who suffered most. My idea scratched from the back of my mind, as I sat there helpless. I wanted to do something, but something once again prevented me from acting.

And now, almost six months later, there is again a scratch in my head. Mizhgona Sardorova died on Monday, January 21, after long battle with leukemia. She fought for three years, and finally her body could not take the barrage of chemotherapy and radiation sessions. Her father and sister who tried hard to come from Tajikistan to New York, were delayed three weeks in Dushanbe by the American embassy. They finally arrived on Sunday the 20th, and then Mizhgona was no more. Strangest thing happened. The same young lady who coordinated collection efforts when Timur Abdukayumov died in 2011, was also in charge of running the account this time. I don't know who began it, but the young lady from Nebraska once again stepped up to the front line, opened a PayPal account, and began collecting money which was decided to be given to Mizhgona's family. In two days, over 3000 dollars were donated by many more Tajiks than two years ago. Why? Because our community has grown, and has become little bit more united. Internet is a wonderful thing. I should also note that this time, we also had help of two Americans, non-Tajiks who donated money without asking any questions; this makes me proud, especially because one of the individuals I count amongst my friends.

As I write this words, Mizhgona's body is being boarded on a plane for transportation to Tajikistan, she is going home. Last night, I along with many young Tajik ladies whose efforts at collecting money can only be described as a phenomenal, went to the family of Mizhgona and paid our respects. We also handed what little money our community was able to gather in two days to Mizhgona's father. It wasn't much. It probably did not even come close to cover a quarter of expenses for sending Mizhgona home. What we hope is the money can alleviate just a little bit of the family's hardships. What happened in the past two days made me realize that a new generation of Tajiks is willing to come to each others help in such dire moments. 

I am writing this to all Tajiks, to all Central Asians, no matter what ethnic group you are, or what your faith is, or what language you speak, don't wait until the person dies to help them.

I am proposing organization of a Foundation, a benevolent society. You can call it what you want, organization, association, society, league, anything, but your goals must be geared toward helping those who are less fortunate than you are, those whose hardships are plentier than yours. You may ask, but why should we when there is already "People of Tajikistan in America" or "American-Tajik Association". As a matter of fact, both of these organizations do a lot of good things for our community. Members of ATA were among the first to organized collection efforts for burial of Timur Abdukayumov. And PTA organized fundraising last Ramadan and donated all the money to an orphanage in Tajikistan.What I am proposing is not another organization, separate or in competition of ATA or PTA. No, I think members of both of these fine organizations showed how they can come together and help a family in need, as they were among the donors of funds for Mizhgona's family.

What I am proposing is that we set up a foundation, whose goal will be to collect funds on constant basis. Somewhere where people can give as little as $1 or infinity, whenever they can. And if they want their money to be tax deductible, we should make all efforts to make it so. All the activities of this foundation should be transparent. A monthly, or quarterly, meetings should be held, and its discussions should be made public. If the foundation gathers enough money, it can be used in such emergencies as funding the transportation of person's body (such was the case with Mizhgona, but sadly not for Timur), or the funds can be used in many other situations, which members of the foundation can agree on. 

Ten years ago, Nebraska had the largest population of Tajiks within its borders. Since then, East Coast of the United States has seen an influx of immigrants and students from Tajikistan. Whether ten years ago, or today, people who come to this great, but foreign, country are often faced with hardships. These hardships can be as short as finding a place to reside, or work, or can be as permanent as losing a member of your family. Money is always an issue. Having our own community can help. I know we all do our parts, we all help when we can, but something stable has to be in place.

Now is the time, especially because there are many more Tajiks in the United States today than there were 10 years ago. There are more hardships, especially in such difficult economy. If we set up a foundation where each one of us donates constantly, but as much as they can, or want to, then we maybe better prepared when one of us is in dire situation. We can all collaborate, all the organizations: the PTA, the ATA, or even, as I just now learned about them, the Tajik American Cultural Association.

I don't have any special skills. I don't know how to register a non-profit organization. I don't even think I properly expressed what I wanted to here and now. I am willing to lead this, or follow anyone who is willing to take charge. I am willing to do something that will make it easier for members of our community in the future. Anyone who knows me, you know I mean well. Comment on this. Give me your ideas. Let's sit down and talk. Let us not wait until someone else leaves our community forever in order to do something. I am willing to meet and express my ideas and thoughts in more concise details. 

My name is Jahongir, and I live in Brooklyn, New York.

Write me: genealogy@jahongir.com

Thank you for reading this.