At the Certification Ceremony, Mohamed Khir Alriz (right), a Muslim volunteer from Jordan, said that, during the pandemic, Tzu Chi provided essential supplies, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of Tzu Chi. He taught children to sing the song of Prayer and conducted lessons on printing Jing Si Aphorisms cards, helping them appreciate their blessings amidst hardships. He wanted to become a Tzu Chi volunteer, promoting the spirit of the Bamboo Bank Era to assist those in need and encouraging them to emerge from the darkness and transform their lives. (Photo by Chung Yao-Hsien; Jing Si Hall, Hualien, Taiwan; 2023/06/24)

In June this year, many Tzu Chi volunteers from overseas returned to Taiwan to receive certification. The Jing Si Hall in Hualien, Taiwan was filled with touching and heartwarming volunteer stories. One comes from Mohamed Khir Alriz, from Jordan.

Having a Kind Heart in All Circumstances

Mohamed Khir Alriz, 58 years old, follows a deeply religious family tradition and keeps a kind-hearted disposition in all circumstances.

His father, Mhd Bachir, was born in a poverty-stricken district of Damascus, Syria, where he made a living as a shoemaker. Despite his poverty, he tirelessly pursued education and eventually earned three bachelor's degrees in Arabic literature, Islamic law, and general law; he became a celebrated scholar at the University of Damascus. When he passed away, half of Damascus's population took to the streets to participate in his farewell ceremony.

Before certification, a master from Jing Si Abode gave Mohamed Khir Alriz prayer beads. (Photo by Chiou-hwa Chen; Jing Si Hall, Hualien, Taiwan; 2023/06/23)

Mohamed Khir Alriz shared his father's story: "My father inspired me to work hard and pursue education." In 1982, during Syria's political crisis, his father advised him to leave their hometown and move to Dubai. He spent 17 years there as an Arabic language teacher. In 2007, he returned to Syria and established a publishing company. But, in 2011, the civil war erupted, prompting him to return to Dubai briefly in search of employment; but he was unsuccessful. Consequently, he returned to Syria with his family and arrived in Jordan in 2012. After living in the Zaatari refugee camp, they relocated to Amman.

Doing Good While Living in a Foreign Land

Unwilling to witness his homeland being destroyed by the ravages of war, Mohamed Khir Alriz persevered in doing good while living in a foreign land.

A master from Jing Si Abode adorned Mohamed Khir Alriz (front left) with a corsage prior to his certification. (Photo provided by Tzu Chi Charity Foundation; Jing Si Hall, Hualien, Taiwan; June 23, 2023)

His brother-in-law was a successful businessman. In 2012, along with three other friends, they raised funds and leased a building in the Ein Basha district of Amman called Beit Safout, which serves as a shelter for widows and orphans. This marked the origin of Tzu Xin House;  Mohamed Khir Alriz took responsibility for its care and management.

In 2014, Mohamed Khir Alriz met Chiou-hwa Chen through Lai Hua-xiu (賴花秀). In 2016, when his brother-in-law and his friends were unable to continue paying the rent for Beit Safout, Mohamed Khir Alriz sought Chen's assistance; he asked if Tzu Chi could help the families. Since then, Tzu Chi has sponsored the rent and children's education fees, providing vocational training and empowering single mothers to develop skills, improve their lives, and strive for self-reliance.

The volunteers provide long-term care and support to the Bedouin children in the Zaatari, Mafraq District, Al-Mafraq Governorate, Jordan. Mohamed Khir Alriz (2nd from left), with deep respect, presents backpacks, stationery supplies, and heartfelt blessings to the Bedouin students. (Photo by Chiou-hwa Chen; 2022/09/16)

Throughout those years, Mohamed Khir Alriz has actively volunteered in Tzu Chi's activities, deepening his understanding of the organization. He greatly admires Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi: "The teachings of Master Cheng Yen reflect the pure essence of religion. When you study the origins of religion, you can see its purity, for you must learn religion from its source. The Master teaches us to love every living being, purify our minds, and reduce desires. This is the only way to make our world a better place. In Islam, it is also said that, if you cannot create paradise on Earth, you cannot reside in the heavenly paradise. The Master is our guide, leading all Tzu Chi brothers and sisters to help those in need, regardless of their location. We are grateful to Master Cheng Yen."

Lunch at the camp coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, and everyone enjoyed eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). (Photo by Chiou-hwa Chen; Jing Si Abode, Hualien, Taiwan; 2023/06/22)

Gratitude and Unity

With a grateful heart, Mohamed Khir Alriz has overcome the challenges and hardships of a long and arduous journey. He is driven by a single pure and unwavering thought: “I must return to the Tzu Chi headquarters in Taiwan and personally express my gratitude to Master Cheng Yen for her unwavering support of Syrian refugees throughout the years.” This profound sense of gratitude towards his teacher touched the hearts of journalists who interviewed him and brought tears to their eyes. In the refugee camp, he experiences the harmony of Tzu Chi, where, regardless of a person's origin, everyone belongs to one family working together to purify hearts, respect life, and treat all religions equally; this creates a world of goodness without conflicts.

His sincerity touched many Tzu Chi volunteers; despite the barrier of language, they felt the same heart. Mohamed Khir Alriz deeply appreciated the wisdom and compassion of Master Cheng Yen. He expressed his longing to stay and continue listening to the precious lessons offered during the overseas camps. He praised Tzu Chi for its organizational strength and coordination, stating that, in today's world, no other organization is comparable to Tzu Chi. He feels a sense of peace in the Tzu Chi world, a heavenly-like realm.

Overcoming Difficulties on the Journey Back Home

After completing his overseas spiritual retreat, he encountered numerous obstacles in obtaining permission to re-enter Jordan. Nevertheless, Mohamed Khir Alriz and fellow volunteer Khader Khalifeh bravely proceeded according to their original plan and arrived at Taoyuan Airport. Despite Khader Khalifeh's reassurance that everything would be fine and that Mohamed Khir Alriz's entry visa was in the electronic system, their worries persisted. At Bangkok Airport, Khader Khalifeh witnessed a Syrian man being detained by airport security and deported back to his country of origin, further fueling their concerns. Chiou-hwa Chen, who was in Taiwan, remained determined and reached out to Princess Sumaya of Jordan. As a result, two representatives from the prince's office were dispatched to Amman Airport to await the safe return of the two newly certified Tzu Chi volunteers.

Syrian volunteer Mohamed Khir Alriz shared gratefully that through Tzu Chi, he and 5 volunteers from Tzu Xin House could contribute their effort in delivering aid to help survivors of the earthquake in Syria. (Photo provided by Tzu Chi Charity Foundation; Mafraq, Jordan;2023/02/26)

Fortunately, Mohamed Khir Alriz and Khader Khalifeh were greeted by the representatives from the prince's office and successfully passed through security and immigration checks. Finally, on June 28th at 12:30 PM, they cleared customs and left the airport to return home for the holiday. It was the first day of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Festival of the sacrifice), traditionally a day of family reunion. As they reported their safe arrival to Taiwan, the Taiwanese and Jordanian volunteers who had been anxiously waiting online could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Gratitude, Inspiration, and Empowerment

On his first day of work, Mohamed Khir Alriz wrote a short message to Master Cheng Yen, expressing his gratitude. He said: "We often say that those who do not appreciate others also fail to appreciate the Almighty. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to Master Cheng Yen. Her unprecedented compassion in caring for us deeply touched our hearts. I deeply understand that Master Cheng Yen deserves the love, respect, and gratitude of every person in the world. Please, Brother Chiou-hwa Chen, convey the love, gratitude, and respect to Master Cheng Yen from all the mothers and me at Tzu Xin House. It is because of Master Cheng Yen's magnanimous heart and grand teachings. I am also grateful to you, Brother Chen. From you, I have learned humility, brotherly love, and noble character. Infinite gratitude to Master Cheng Yen, Chen, and the great Tzu Chi."

Khader Khalifeh also shared the most profound lesson he learned during the overseas spiritual retreat, which was Master Cheng Yen's words: "If you all love me, then please love the people I love, who are the suffering sentient beings of the world." These words have been etched in Khader Khalifeh's heart. He also praised the well-organized content of the volunteer courses and believed that such excellent courses should be promoted within the volunteer team in Jordan.

Unity in Action: Mohamed Khir Alriz (left) and Khader Khalifeh (right) work together to transport aid supplies for the Syrian earthquake. Together, they walk on the path of Bodhisattva, fostering harmony and compassion. (Photo by Lamiya Lin; Amman, Jordan; 2023/02/17)

Both newly certified volunteers have undergone hardships in their lives, including poverty and war. The two things they never gave up on during their lives were doing good deeds and pursuing education. They have used their own experiences to inspire those who are still suffering. From extending their hands upwards to reaching down, they now possess the power to uplift others. It is believed that they will become the most gentle and resilient pillars within the Tzu Chi team in Jordan. From training to certification, the Tzu Chi family in Jordan celebrates together, rejoicing in the Dharma. They offer sincere blessings, wishing them steady progress on the Bodhisattva path, an open mind, and never forgetting their initial aspirations.

A Jing Si Aphorism says: “Bodhisattvas are not idols made of wood or clay; true Bodhisattvas are people who eat, talk, work, and relieve suffering in times of need.”

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Story by Lamiya Lin from Jordan