Hesham Hassaballa, who writes for Beliefnet and was a guest author here on City of Brass, has suffered a tremendous personal tragedy:

June 7 will forever be burned in my memory. June 7 became my personal 9/11. I played the movie of her death countless times in my head. I tried to mentally prepare myself for this day for years. But, it did not make it any easier. Not by a long shot. Nothing could prepare me for such a horrific loss. There is no greater pain, no greater suffering, no greater agony than to watch your child die in front of your eyes. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

Hesham has written at length about his daughter’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Hesham and his family. Inna Lillaahi wa inna ‘ilayhi rajioon