In Pursuit of Justice

 

The tragic events in Gaza Strip echoed in the soccer fields in Ghana, which hosts the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament, when Egyptian player Mohamed Aboutrika wore a tee shirt reading “sympathize with Gaza” in arabic and English. Aboutrika flashed the shirt after he scored his first goal in veiw of cameras and millions of spectators throughout the world which prompted the referee to slap him with yellow warning card for violating the FIFA rules which prohibit religious and political slogans during the games, although this phrase is more humanitarian than political.

Shawqi Gharib, the assistant coach of the Egyptian soccer team said that the organizing committee informed all teams that they shouldn”t wear any shirts bearing any political slogans.

I understand the whole thing about keeping sports away from ‘politics’ and sports being a way to bring people together rather than keep them apart.  However, I cannot understand how Abu Trieka’s simple gesture in support of Gazzans who are under an inhumane seige and unbearable conditions, how that is considered a political action.  His shirt didn’t refer to any political party…it didn’t even mention Palestine (for those people who don’t believe it exists!!!).  It was just a very simple act of solidarity with fellow human beings.

Plus, what is happening in Gaza (especially before the ‘prison break’) is so extreme in nature, that I think it deserves not just the attention of the whole world but their action as well.  Life cannot, should not, go on as normal. 

I’ve said this many times but I’ll say it once again.  I do not mean to belittle any other nation’s suffering by focusing on the plight of Palestinians.  A tragedy is a tradegy no matter how many people involved.  However, I really do feel the Palestinian cause deserves international attention and recognition because it is that of an occupied people living under cruel conditions who are made to look like savages while their oppressor is supported and rewarded by the ‘civilized’ world. 

An Associated Press reporter arrived after first light and saw that about two-thirds of the seven-mile-long wall at Rafah had been demolished. The reporter also saw the crowd of Palestinians crossing into Egypt swell into the tens of thousands.” “I can smell the freedom,” he said by phone. “We need no border after today.”

As an Aljazeera anchor put it - Gaza is said to be the biggest open-air prison, and this is the biggest prison break.

I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears.  The Palestinians did it again!!  Somehow, against all odds and with no real support from any Arab or Muslim government, their will and resistance triumphed- all praise due to Allah.

Check out this blog for excellent coverage of this historical moment (articles, photos, videos and more).

Why hasn’t Israel or Egypt done anything about this yet?  I think they’re just trying to absorb the anger now, but action will come soon enough.

Just because the border is open doesn’t mean the inhumane suffering of Gazans has ended.  On the contrary, this is the perfect chance to get aid into Gaza, aid which has been blocked out for months.

This is the time to do something for the people of Gaza, and you can do more than just making dua`.  If you’re in the US, check out examples of how you can help here.  In the UAE, the Welfare Association has launched an emergency appeal to help the people of Gaza.  You can transfer your generous donations to:

Arab Bank - Dubai

Welfare Association

Account no: 3001-157326-700

S. code: Arabaeadmak

Ref: Gaza 2008 appeal

Alternatively, you can donate online here

If you’re a starving student, you can always help by voicing your opinions and concerns, writing articles and letter to the editor, raising awareness of the situation by talking to your friends and colleagues…

Whatever it is…DO SOMETHING!! 

Even the Gulf News kept silent on the agreement to station French troops in the U.A.E. - just slipped I guess.  Of course the news channels and Arabic press ‘forget’ to mention it also.

What puzzles me is, why does France want a military base in the U.A.E.?  Why now?

Out of all the hype associated with George Bush’s visit to the GCC…I found this to be the most ridiculous/disgusting/pathetic/infuriating/disgraceful.

Quick summary of the article: The Centre for Media Services in Abu Dhabi issued a special report on George W. Bush to mark the occasion of his 2 day visit to the U.A.E.  The study which was published both in English and Arabic covered the biography of the American president, highlighting the humanitatian aspects of his personality which helped build his charismatic and leadership qualities.

There you go!!  I wonder how ‘liberating’ (a.k.a. occupying) Iraq fits into their rosy report.  I am sorry…this is the last straw!  Politics is politics, but why do the research centers and think tanks have to contribute to our disgrace and humiliation? Has anyone seen a copy of this report, by the way? 

Not only are GCC ’states’ opening their doors to accept G.W. Bush, they are taking turns honoring this war criminal and celebrating his precious visit.  Shame on them!!!  How will those leaders stand before their Lord on the Day of Judgment??!!  What will be their excuse for honoring this terrorist who has the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis on his hands (not to mention Palestinians, Lebanese,….)??

I wish I could use my tongue to freely protest George Bush’s visit to Dubai tomorrow - like the people of Bahrain and Palestine did (the streets being closed is the least of my worries).  Since I can’t, I am left with the weakest of Iman: Hating it in my heart (and using my keyboard to speak out about it). 

Sorry for not posting in a while…two quick thoughts on my mind:

- What’s up with all the photos of Sheikh Mo on TV, in newspapers,….  I get that it’s his 2nd anniversary being ruler of Dubai (also the second anniversary of his brother’s death) but this is a little over board I think.  Isn’t it getting close to idolatory? Shall we expect more of this every year? 

- Why did we get Thursday, not Wednesday, off for the Hijri New Year?