The bittersweet month of Ramadan is here once again, amidst unfathomable sorrows, amidst joy. And yet, as my father-in-law, who is nearly seventy years old reminded me, “Palestine has not seen such a bitter Ramadan in many many years”.
It seemed so painful to me, as I broke bread with my family before dawn, that millions of Palestinian refugees would be fasting with us, and they would have no bread to break their fast at the end of the day. Moreover, thousands would not only continue their fast due to lack of food, but their hardship would be compounded due to forced homelessness, wrought by the Israeli army, just this week in Gaza.
When we heard of the attacks in Gaza, where more than two thousand people were displaced and their homes destroyed in one night, we called my father-in-law right away, who lives in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, outside of Gaza City. He told us that the majority of the “newest refugees” came to Nuseirat for shelter. The army ordered them out of their homes in the middle of the night, and by dawn, everything was in ruins. No time was given for anyone to collect precious things, belongings, no time was given to change clothes. So most of the refugees arrived in their pajamas. It was another little Diaspora, yet another daily “Nakba” or catastrophe.
“The man arrived at my home around dawn,” My father-in-law said.” He walked the whole night, from Gaza City to the refugee camp, nearly ten miles, through orchards, over hills and through valleys. His wife still in her nightgown and his children barefoot, the family was haggard, dusty and their eyes were penetrated with fear. I have know Ahmed for forty years, he raised his family in Egypt, and when the hope of peace ignited, he brought his family back to Gaza. Ahmed is a proud man, confident and at times a little arrogant. But the look on his face that night was the look of total defeat, I opened the door, he asked if his family could take shelter for the night, and he wept like a child.”
In such times, I, like many, feel an overwhelming sense of shame, combined with a feeling of unending gratitude for organizations like KinderUSA, who are providing one of very few lifelines to so many Palestinians this Ramadan.
The Palestine Chronicle is teaming up efforts with the staff at KinderUSA, ( http://www.kinderusa.org ) one of the most reputable US charities working in Palestine, to launch a month long fundraising effort, titled: “Project Humanity: Sending Love and Relief to the Children in Palestine”. During this month, we are aiming to raise $20,000.00, to provide food and other basic necessities to needy families.
As the second day of Ramadan comes to a close in Palestine, I want to encourage all those who support the efforts of the Palestine Chronicle to consider giving a generous contribution to further the efforts of KinderUSA. Giving today assures that families will have bread to break tomorrow.
By SUZANNE RUSS
Managing Editor of the Palestine Chronicle
To show their gratitude, The Palestine Chronicle and KinderUSA will send a “Free Palestine” Button, to donors at the $25.00 level, a “Free Palestine” bumper sticker to donors at the $50.00 level, a copy of Ramzy Baroud’s book “Searching Jenin” to donors at the $100.00 level, and a package of all three items to donors at the $150.00 level.
You can send your tax-deductible donation to KinderUSA online at:
http://www.kinderusa.org/baform.asp
[Please select “Project Humanity” on the pull-down menu!]
You can also donate by sending your check to
Kinder USA
P.O. Box 224846
Dallas, Texas 75222-9785
U.S.A
[Please note “Project Humanity” in the memo line of your check! Thank you!]
For further information, contact Dalell Mohammed at 1-888-451-8908, or email her at kinder@kinderusa.org. Inquiries can be faxed to 972-664-1994.
Or you can contact Suzanne Russ at the Palestine Chronicle at Russ@PalestineChronicle.com. Inquiries can be faxed to 425-778-923
Republished in conjunction with The Palestine Chronicle: http://www.palestinechronicle.com
Please also see:
Dr. Sami Al-Arian Behind Bars: The End of an American-Muslim Dream? http://www.palestinechronicle.com/story.php?sid=20031028150515593
Israeli forces destroy three apartment buildings in al-Zahra
Report, PCHR, 26 October 2003 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2107.shtml
It seemed so painful to me, as I broke bread with my family before dawn, that millions of Palestinian refugees would be fasting with us, and they would have no bread to break their fast at the end of the day. Moreover, thousands would not only continue their fast due to lack of food, but their hardship would be compounded due to forced homelessness, wrought by the Israeli army, just this week in Gaza.
When we heard of the attacks in Gaza, where more than two thousand people were displaced and their homes destroyed in one night, we called my father-in-law right away, who lives in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, outside of Gaza City. He told us that the majority of the “newest refugees” came to Nuseirat for shelter. The army ordered them out of their homes in the middle of the night, and by dawn, everything was in ruins. No time was given for anyone to collect precious things, belongings, no time was given to change clothes. So most of the refugees arrived in their pajamas. It was another little Diaspora, yet another daily “Nakba” or catastrophe.
“The man arrived at my home around dawn,” My father-in-law said.” He walked the whole night, from Gaza City to the refugee camp, nearly ten miles, through orchards, over hills and through valleys. His wife still in her nightgown and his children barefoot, the family was haggard, dusty and their eyes were penetrated with fear. I have know Ahmed for forty years, he raised his family in Egypt, and when the hope of peace ignited, he brought his family back to Gaza. Ahmed is a proud man, confident and at times a little arrogant. But the look on his face that night was the look of total defeat, I opened the door, he asked if his family could take shelter for the night, and he wept like a child.”
In such times, I, like many, feel an overwhelming sense of shame, combined with a feeling of unending gratitude for organizations like KinderUSA, who are providing one of very few lifelines to so many Palestinians this Ramadan.
The Palestine Chronicle is teaming up efforts with the staff at KinderUSA, ( http://www.kinderusa.org ) one of the most reputable US charities working in Palestine, to launch a month long fundraising effort, titled: “Project Humanity: Sending Love and Relief to the Children in Palestine”. During this month, we are aiming to raise $20,000.00, to provide food and other basic necessities to needy families.
As the second day of Ramadan comes to a close in Palestine, I want to encourage all those who support the efforts of the Palestine Chronicle to consider giving a generous contribution to further the efforts of KinderUSA. Giving today assures that families will have bread to break tomorrow.
By SUZANNE RUSS
Managing Editor of the Palestine Chronicle
To show their gratitude, The Palestine Chronicle and KinderUSA will send a “Free Palestine” Button, to donors at the $25.00 level, a “Free Palestine” bumper sticker to donors at the $50.00 level, a copy of Ramzy Baroud’s book “Searching Jenin” to donors at the $100.00 level, and a package of all three items to donors at the $150.00 level.
You can send your tax-deductible donation to KinderUSA online at:
http://www.kinderusa.org/baform.asp
[Please select “Project Humanity” on the pull-down menu!]
You can also donate by sending your check to
Kinder USA
P.O. Box 224846
Dallas, Texas 75222-9785
U.S.A
[Please note “Project Humanity” in the memo line of your check! Thank you!]
For further information, contact Dalell Mohammed at 1-888-451-8908, or email her at kinder@kinderusa.org. Inquiries can be faxed to 972-664-1994.
Or you can contact Suzanne Russ at the Palestine Chronicle at Russ@PalestineChronicle.com. Inquiries can be faxed to 425-778-923
Republished in conjunction with The Palestine Chronicle: http://www.palestinechronicle.com
Please also see:
Dr. Sami Al-Arian Behind Bars: The End of an American-Muslim Dream? http://www.palestinechronicle.com/story.php?sid=20031028150515593
Israeli forces destroy three apartment buildings in al-Zahra
Report, PCHR, 26 October 2003 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2107.shtml