Aya Melliti

Hardships, trials, and tribulations, always result in one of two things...they either push you away from God, or pull you closer to him. This year UAF has dealt with a test from Allah like no other. One of our fellow seventh grade students sadly lost her battle against cancer after fighting against it for most of her life. In this time of sorrow and sadness the student body has been grieving the loss of wonderful student, friend, and daughter. Her name was Aya Melliti, and even though she was only 13 years old, she was an inspiration to all. Her display of strong faith and trust in Allah (swt) is something that even adults are lacking. Allah says in the Quran (Surah 3 Aya 185), “every soul will taste death”. Keeping this inevitable fact in mind helps one to cope with the fact that someone who was amongst us just yesterday is now buried 6 feet underground, and on their way to meet with their creator. In honor of Aya Melliti, the UAF Falcons have started raising money to build a well in a less fortunate country in Aya’s behalf—making her reward everlasting even though her life here on earth wasn’t.

For all those who knew Aya, they all described her as being an angel with a radiant smile on her face. More than 1000 people attended her janaza prayer on Sunday February 11th at the ISTABA masjid. Personally seeing the amount of love and support the community has offered her family has made me reconsider my own life and the legacy I want to leave behind.

May Allah have mercy on Aya’s soul, May she be rewarded with the highest level of Jennah. May Allah ease her family’s pain and suffering, and help them to find peace and live on after their deep loss.

Ameen