You’ve forgotten again…

title: You’ve forgotten again…

Haven’t you?

This time last year, there was still a week of bombardment to go in Gaza before finally -not until January 18th- the dust would settle on the utter destruction of lives and hopes.

I try to remain neutral on political issues, particularly in my public writing. While I have my opinions, I take a middle ground on a lot for fear of being taken out of context or against my intention or worse still for fear of speaking about something I don’t know of and saying something wrong. Israel vs. Palestine is one I find most difficult to remain quiet on, it is too obvious what is wrong here to ignore.

I wrote this poem in solidarity with the people of Gaza as my heart ached for their helplessness. A people under siege in a virtual prison state then being bombarded from the air, homes and lives obliterated, there was just nothing right about this. I wasn’t able to march in protest but thousands were in cities around the world. This poem was also inspired by a comment made by sister Yvonne Ridley when she said “We are all palestinian”

Although i but march here with my sign
My heart, my heart is Palestine
And to my leaders i will cry
My voice, my voice is Palestine
And though my day goes by and by
My day, my night is Palestine
The people nor the land is mine
But I am, I am Palestine

December 27th 2008 – January 18th 2009. A year later the siege continues to keep out building materials and basic necessities which means that thousands of people remain homeless living among rubble in makeshift tents which no hope of any sort. God be with them.

Palestinian Center for Human Rights estimates:

326+ Palestinian Children under 17 killed.
916+ Palestinian Civilians killed.
About 250 Palestinian Police Officers killed.
5,400+ Palestinians Injured.
22,000+ Buildings Destroyed or Damaged.
About $1.9 Billion in economic destruction.
3 Israeli civilians killed.
10 Israeli Soldiers killed (including 4 by friendly fire)

The views put forth by our Authors are the views of the individual and do not represent the views of Muslimas Oasis or those associated with Muslimas Oasis in any way.

Muslim Women on the Personal, The Spiritual and Society

Comments

6 Responses to “You’ve forgotten again…”

Author

Date

Comment

Amina

January 11th, 2010
2:56 am

asalamau aliakum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatoo,

Jazaki Allah koli khair. This is a great reminder. I couldn't agree with you more on the virtual prison. Unfortunately, with Egypt building its wall now (and I am Egyptian), the situation seems to be getting worse, not any better. May Allah guide the Muslim leaders and grant Palestine peace.

The poem is very heartfelt and beautiful, mashaAllah. I remember when you first wrote it. :)

Author

Date

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Pam Mace

January 12th, 2010
7:19 pm

i love this poem, it's very emotional and touching. just a question, what is the feeling behind "i am Palestine"? is it that we feel their pain, as human beings?

i feel it too, thanks for keeping it in people's minds. there are so many things going on in so many countries, but each one is as heart-rending as the others.

Palestine does not and will not give in to their land and culture being wiped out by bullying. it's incredibly hard to see what's being done to them, but you have to admire their integrity and willingness to fight for their rights!

Author

Date

Comment

Umm Hend

January 12th, 2010
8:17 pm

Thanks mum, this was definitely written with a huge amount of emotion during the 2008-2009 massacre.

The feeling behind 'I am Palestine' is, like you said, a feeling of solidarity for their struggle and pain for them (what else makes a land but it's people? so in this way, the people are palestine)

It's also about poetic drama, 'I am Palestine' is more poetic and metaphorical (or philosophical) than 'I am Palestinian' I think it heightens the feeling to put it this way. Don't you think?