The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

What are your biggest challenges?

Life isn’t easy, is it? Some days feel like a constant battle to stay grounded, to hold onto faith, and to do the right thing despite everything pulling you in different directions. When I think about my biggest challenges, a few things come to mind—some personal, some tied to the world we live in—but they all come back to the same question, how do I stay true to myself and my faith?

Staying on the Straight Path

This is probably my greatest challenge. Life throws so many distractions at us—work, family, worries about the future—and it’s easy to feel like you’re slipping. For me, prayer and the Quran are what keep me steady. There’s a peace in turning to Allah, especially when the world feels heavy. Even when I feel lost, I know I can find my way back through du’ah and reflection. It’s not always easy, but nothing worth having ever is.

Guiding My Children

If you’re a parent, you’ll understand how much you want for your kids. I want mine to grow up as kind, decent people who succeed in whatever they choose to do. But more than that, I want them to hold onto their values and their faith in a world that constantly tries to strip those things away. It’s not just about telling them what’s right; it’s about showing them. That’s a challenge in itself—being the person you want them to become.

Facing My Health and Growing Older

Health is something I took for granted when I was younger, but it’s something I can’t ignore anymore. It’s a humbling reminder of how fragile we really are. Then there’s ageing—not just for me but for the people I love. Watching parents, aunts, and uncles grow older brings a certain sadness. You know the time will come when they’re no longer here, and that’s not something you can ever prepare for. All I can do is cherish the time we have now and make the most of it.

A Divided World

This is something that’s always on my mind. The rise of racism, nationalism, and borders has created a world that feels colder and more divided. I dream of a time when people can live and work freely, where humanity is valued over nationality or skin colour. Maybe that sounds naïve, but I can’t let go of that hope. We have to keep believing that things can change, even when it feels like they’re getting worse.

Watching the World Suffer

This is the hardest part—watching war, genocide, and suffering unfold across the world, feeling powerless to do anything about it. Whether it’s Palestine or anywhere else, it’s heartbreaking. The only thing I can do is pray for those affected and ask Allah for strength to carry on. Du’ah is a powerful thing, it’s what keeps me going when my spirit feels broken.

Holding Onto Hope

At the end of the day, challenges are a part of life. They test us, push us, and shape us into who we are meant to be. I remind myself that Allah doesn’t burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Staying focused on that helps me face whatever comes my way.