Today, I called Gaza. A random household, just pressed random numbers and listened for the line to be picked up... and it was. I was astonished. As if it was unexpected and I was in disbelief. My sentences became fragmented to the Palestinian lady on the other side of the line while I gathered my strength and voice back to its normal.
me: Bmaseeki bl khair (good evening...)
her: meen ma3i? (whose speaking?)
There was that paranoia in her voice. She was worrisome and tired and I didn't expect anything else but it hurt to hear it. The atmosphere around her was noisy and chaotic.
me: esmi.... b3eesh b.... wo bas 7bait itesel la ellek ino 3m bd3eelek. Allah ma3 el sabreen ya ekhti wo elkon Allah. law fye.... ya rait law..... bas el mohim, ana itasalet la ellek ana fakhoora feeki wo la ta3refi b hal aw2at el sa3beh fe wa7deh b3d b7oor 3m btfaker feeki wo 3m td3eelek. (I am.... I live in... and I just wanted to call to say that am there for you with my prayers. God is with those who have patience my sister and only God is to our savior. If I could.... I wish I can.... but anyway, I just called to say am proud of you and that you need to know someone oceans out there... is thinknig of you and praying for you).
She began to choke up and said "Allah ykhali wlad el 7alal.. telephonek ad el dnyeh 3andi wo ija b wa2et ana m7tajtelo" (May God keep the good people, your call meant the world and came in a time I needed it)
me: e7keeli... eshkeeli.... ana 3m bsma3ek. bdy a3ref shu 3m yseer ma3ek. (Tell me.. am listening. I want to know whats happening with you).
For a bit she spoke and I listened but I was slowly losing my strength to her words. I wanted to cry. I want to shelter her feelings somewhere dear in my heart and keep them safe. I wanted to give her warmth. Gosh, I wanted to be with her.... at least, I wouldn't be feeling so guilty so ashamed, so helpless!
I told her about the mass rallies going on in NYC everyday of the week. How there are Palestinian flags being waved 24/7. How we are moved by this and are knocking on doors of those who are supporting the war for guilt trips, demanding them to stop funding. How the borough has heard it from us. How we're going all the way to the white house for them. And we're voicing. That we care and its all in the end in God's willing.
And then I realized, who was I really convincing me or her more? and I wanted to cry. I lost all my abilities to keep a normal calm voice. I lost my ability to portray strength and hope and began to wrap up my call...
me: sad2eeni, 3m bd3eelik. wo btsel feeki kaman mara la itaman 3laiki. intebhi 3ala 7alek, b aman Allah. (Believe me, am praying for you, I will call you again later to check up on you, take care of yourself. Hopefully, in God's protection)
her: Shukran 7abibiti. Allah ykhaleeki. (thank you, My god bless you).
30 comments:
There's one problem with this
Many Palestinaians are starting to suspect that Mossad Agents are making the "support" calls to try to get some information out of them. It's tought
Allah ya3teeki el 3afyeh
Very moving. Whatever we are doing, the Israelis won't stop it. They reminded me of the days the Americans invaded Iraq when we fled from one house to the other. No one was able to do anything to stop it. the fear was grave and the consequences were graver!
Bassam
Strange how one can tell a stranger things they won't tell anyone else.
and her response, talaphonek ad il-dinya! Just wanting a kind word or an expression of support.
Seeing what I'm seeing and hearing what I'm hearing on nearly every Arabic news station, one can't help but feel for these people with all his/her heart. Worst of all is when I say a mother wailing for her children :(
if i did the call i guess the one who answers me from there will be supporting me because i will be crying the whole time ...
what u did is really great and need strength .... u go girl
Batoul,
You have a big heart!!
Batoul, you are wonderful person and have great ideas. Lifting up one person at a time is great job, God bless.
What a good idea!
-- Qwaider: Yeah. Theres a few other reasons why its actually difficult to go through with this but I guess you either get lucky or you don't with your call.
-- Bassam: Welcome to my place, wish it was at better times :) They can't stop it when we have all rights.
I vividly remember the invasion into Iraq and how angered I was to the situation. Living in America puts me feeling in responsibility and the consequences are a killer to my spirit. Allah yghferelna.
-- Hani: I believe am capable of saying that to someone I know to help them out too.
Really, I didn't know what to expect. I thought her response could either be her furious how ridiculous my phone call is or appreciate it, I wouldn't blame her for either.
I agree! Or when you see a man crying for his lost family.. ukh, its all painful. I can't believe some people could still be heartless with all this.
-- SimSim: It was very overwhelming to keep strong to a point I had to cut my conversation short. I just felt edgy to not hurt her. I wanted it to be a positive phone call *fingers crossed* thanks babe! ;)
-- Abu Kareem: Welcome to my corner and thank you :)
-- Saint: Bless us all... It wasn't my idea but a friend's. It still felt good to know I might have cheered her up at least to a small extent.
-- Diana: I thought so too :D thats why I followed up on it.
The Gaza Anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlfhoU66s4Y
We will not go down!
Play it loud, chant it everywhere, let them know that We will not go down!
We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight
Please spread it, embed it when you can, and let YouTube and the entire world hear that we will not go down!
"We will not go down (Song for Gaza)" - composed and performed by my extremely talented brother, God bless him.
... good for u.
Good job tooteh! My friend and I are trying to make this phone call thing even better, hope it works.
You're amazing!!!
-- Rime: Thank you for sharing! inshAllah we will not go down....
-- omnya: Thank you :)
-- KJ: This was from your friend's inspirations :) You have some awesome friends really... Bless.
-- Jad: Thanks, be amazing zaye.. call a brother ;)
Your post brought me to tears...you made me realized that no matter I do to help the ppl of Gaza, compared to your phone call is worthless.
Thanks a lot..
Note: I try to trackback your post but I couldnt...
http://triplem.host.sk/?p=1587
Thanks again
I am so moved by your post and so busy with Gaza Issue... what to do my friends to really help them here in Jordan
Touching...
ya3teeki el 3afieh
You my friend have what I call Emotional Literacy, as some aspects of emotional conduct are learned and acquired, making a huge difference to the people receiving it as it's both unexpected and wanted even if not expressed.
No wonder you work in health care :)
that's awesome batoul..ksibti ajer kbeer ou nshalla allah y7meehom.
Post of the Year!!
Awesome Job Guuurrll!!
may God bless you
That's an astonishingly brave and humane thing you have done there!
*proud of halfling*
heart-wrenching
allah y3eenhum oo y9aberhum
ENTY SUKKAR <3
Bless your heart always Batouly <3
PROUD OF YOU 'ALAAAAKHER!
awesome..the fact that you went through the trouble of researching the area code and calling the Gaza ppl means something. Thank God that phones are still working there.
wow, this is the best gesture I read about so far, God bless you girl! By the way we need more volunteers at Aramex warehouse in Amman to organize the donations sent to Gaza, check my profile and send to your contacts in Jordan
Allah ya3teekom el 3afyeh :)
my last comment on the wrong post sorry..
this post;s comment: this was really touching.. :( 3an jd ur amazing.. allah ykoon ma3hom.. u called her again?
i only read ur post yesterday and i dont feel good since then!
do u mind if we started a campaign "call Ghaza" or something like that?
btw i guess someone from al jazeera read ur post too, coz they called a woman from ghaza this morning
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