My Purpose & Path.

My name is Waliullah Ma’roof, and I’m originally from Manghopir, Karachi, where I still reside. I’m 30 years old. My father, Muhammad Ma’roof, is a respected Islamic scholar who teaches at a local madrasa. My entire family—my mother, siblings, and I—has been closely connected with both religious and contemporary education, whether in learning or teaching roles.
I completed my matriculation from a government school in Manghopir and began my religious studies at a nearby madrasa. In 2018, I graduated from Jamia Uloom Islamia, Allama Binori Town, Karachi.
One of the most life-changing stories in my journey began with Zahida, an elderly Bangladeshi woman who lived in my neighborhood. I had known her since childhood and affectionately called her “Nani.” Unbeknownst to many, Zahida had been a victim of human trafficking—kidnapped from Bangladesh 35 years ago and sold in Karachi.
Growing up, I often saw her pain and isolation. Years later, when I started using social media on my mobile phone, my mother once scolded me for spending too much time online. She suggested I use it for something meaningful and asked me to post Zahida Nani’s details on Facebook—perhaps her family in Bangladesh might be found through the power of technology. I followed my mother’s advice and shared Zahida’s story and photo online. Just seven days later, her family in Bangladesh was located. After 35 years, Zahida and her daughter were reunited through a video call. Two years later, I helped facilitate her return to Bangladesh, where she was finally reunited with her mother in person after 37 long years.