And ``Dakikas Donkey``
By Mohamed Ghulamabi
Religious and social history has immortalized many animals alongside humans, acknowledging their roles in peoples lives. Among these animals, the donkey holds a special place.
One of the most notable mentions is the “Donkey of Uzair,” referenced in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah:
“Or [consider] the one who passed by a city which had fallen into ruin. He said, ‘How will Allah bring this to life after its death?’ So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then revived him. He said, ‘How long have you remained?’ [The man] said, ‘I have remained a day or part of a day.’ He said, ‘Rather, you have remained for a hundred years. Look at your food and your drink; it has not changed with time. And look at your donkey; and We will make you a sign for the people. And look at the bones - how We raise them and then We cover them with flesh.’ And when it became clear to him, he said, ‘I know that Allah is over all things competent.’” — Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 259
Similarly, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, as mentioned in the New Testament (Gospel of Matthew), symbolizing his humility, in stark contrast to kings and emperors who entered cities triumphantly on horseback.
Humans have known the donkey for centuries, and its presence has often been an indicator of societal development or decline, as detailed by Ibn Khaldun in his renowned Muqaddimah. History remembers several famous donkeys, including “Juhas Donkey,” which became a comical figure recognized worldwide. The last Umayyad Caliph, Marwan ibn Muhammad, was nicknamed “Marwan the Donkey” for his admiration of the donkeys patience, endurance, and strength. The "Democratic Donkey" of the United States, chosen as a campaign symbol by Andrew Jackson in 1828, also remains significant, serving as the Democratic Partys symbol until 1870. Egyptian writer Tawfiq al-Hakim further immortalized the animal in his famous 1940 novel The Donkey of the Wise.
In Sudan, the war that broke out on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces has forced Sudanese people back into a life of hardship and simplicity reminiscent of earlier times. Donkeys have taken on vital roles in daily life. In Al-Jazirah State, widespread looting of private and public vehicles has left six of the state’s eight localities without transportation. Vehicle owners moved their cars to safer regions like Gedaref, Kassala, Red Sea, and River Nile states. Consequently, donkeys and carts have regained their former glory as a primary means of transportation and livelihood.
In March 2024, members of the Rapid Support Forces attacked our village in western Al-Jazirah State, resulting in the tragic loss of four young villagers. The community mourned deeply and set up mourning tents for the fallen. Amid this tragedy, a stray bullet fatally struck Dakikas Donkey, owned by Mohamed Wad Al-Faki, known as Dakika.
However, this donkey did not belong solely to Dakika—it was free and available for everyone in the village. Villagers used it to transport goods, carry the sick to nearby clinics, fetch water from distant sources, and grind corn in nearby mills. Young boys even learned how to ride animals on its back. For Dakika, the donkey was a loyal companion, cared for with love and treated as a member of his family. The villagers understood this bond, and when the news of its death spread, they rushed to offer their condolences.
Today, I renew my condolences to Mohamed Wad Al-Faki (Dakika) on the loss of his beloved donkey, a creature that was truly his lifeline. Through this writing, I open the pages of history to honor Dakikas Donkey as a glaring symbol of the horrors of war—not only for the lives it claims among us humans but also for its obliteration of all forms of life and existence around us.
