War through a Palestinian's eyes - A Videoclip by Palishorty Production
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
We Are in Gaza!!! Viva Palestina 5 Land Convoy
Salam and hi my dearest family and friends,
At 10pm, Malaysian time today, we, the Viva Palestina 5 Land Convoy is destined by the Al Mighty to be standing in the land of the Prophet, Palestine.
To be exact, Gaza....
I cannot express my feelings as we were nearing to the Border moments before.
When I saw the sign, 5 km to Rafah Gate... I was like.... someone pinch me....
I snapped 2 photos of the road signs and sent them to my super girls- Zab, Jem and Azian.
And as expected, all the 3 cry babies started crying....
Haiyo....
Guys, stopped crying ok... you are not helping me here..... I cannot go into Gaza crying.... not especially when I have Mr Malaysia Tough Man (who was selected among the 30 to be on the cargo vessel to El Arish Port) beside me- Dr Musa!
Then, suddenly..... I saw the infamous Rafah Border- the yellow brick shaped like an upside down half-U that if we get passed it, will bring us all to Palestine...
This is the same gate that I have been seeing all these while in the news, video clips and youtube videos...
My heart just beat so fast.
Then at 22.10, Malaysian time, I sent out a message to my 3 beloved darlings...
** Oct 21 Thu 22:28 **
Azura: Its thinking of the 3 of you that makes my eyes teary. You have all worked so hard for this n I wish you were all here.
And they answered me...
** Oct 21 Thu 22:28 **
 Jem:  We r azura :) u r representing all of us and we were meant to be here for a reason! Its ok! We r there!! :)
** Oct 21 Thu 22:32 **
Azian: We are Azura, somewhere in yr pocket..:)
** Oct 21 Thu 22:38 **
Zabrina: :'( :'(
(Zab as usual, speechless... and prefer to express using her crying emoticons)
Zab, remember what I said?
"we shall only cry if it will make us stronger"
And of course, she refused to listen to me on this matter... Azura, why can't you just let me cry!!
Ok Zab... cry away babe... I know you will anyway....
I have so much to share but for the time being, I am too busy hugging the Gazan women!
And I chocked when one of them whispered to my ears - thank you for not forgetting us...
Yes, Zab.... this time I cried....
I will leave you with these photos and will be posting more very soon, inshaAllah....
Love from, (guess where??)
Yes, you are right!
Love from Gaza, (p/s: i have been waiting to sign off this way for years!)
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina for Azura in Gaza!) (p/s: I have been waiting to sign off on your blog this way for weeks!)
At 10pm, Malaysian time today, we, the Viva Palestina 5 Land Convoy is destined by the Al Mighty to be standing in the land of the Prophet, Palestine.
To be exact, Gaza....
I cannot express my feelings as we were nearing to the Border moments before.
When I saw the sign, 5 km to Rafah Gate... I was like.... someone pinch me....
I snapped 2 photos of the road signs and sent them to my super girls- Zab, Jem and Azian.
And as expected, all the 3 cry babies started crying....
Haiyo....
Guys, stopped crying ok... you are not helping me here..... I cannot go into Gaza crying.... not especially when I have Mr Malaysia Tough Man (who was selected among the 30 to be on the cargo vessel to El Arish Port) beside me- Dr Musa!
Then, suddenly..... I saw the infamous Rafah Border- the yellow brick shaped like an upside down half-U that if we get passed it, will bring us all to Palestine...
This is the same gate that I have been seeing all these while in the news, video clips and youtube videos...
My heart just beat so fast.
Then at 22.10, Malaysian time, I sent out a message to my 3 beloved darlings...
** Oct 21 Thu 22:10 **
Azura: We are standing in palestine !! Alhamdulillah
Azura: We are standing in palestine !! Alhamdulillah
** Oct 21 Thu 22:28 **
Azura: Its thinking of the 3 of you that makes my eyes teary. You have all worked so hard for this n I wish you were all here.
And they answered me...
** Oct 21 Thu 22:28 **
 Jem:  We r azura :) u r representing all of us and we were meant to be here for a reason! Its ok! We r there!! :)
** Oct 21 Thu 22:32 **
Azian: We are Azura, somewhere in yr pocket..:)
** Oct 21 Thu 22:38 **
Zabrina: :'( :'(
(Zab as usual, speechless... and prefer to express using her crying emoticons)
Zab, remember what I said?
"we shall only cry if it will make us stronger"
And of course, she refused to listen to me on this matter... Azura, why can't you just let me cry!!
Ok Zab... cry away babe... I know you will anyway....
I have so much to share but for the time being, I am too busy hugging the Gazan women!
And I chocked when one of them whispered to my ears - thank you for not forgetting us...
Yes, Zab.... this time I cried....
I will leave you with these photos and will be posting more very soon, inshaAllah....
Love from, (guess where??)
Yes, you are right!
Love from Gaza, (p/s: i have been waiting to sign off this way for years!)
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina for Azura in Gaza!) (p/s: I have been waiting to sign off on your blog this way for weeks!)
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| Egyptian Police Escorting Convoy to El Arish Port |
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| El Arish Port, Egypt |
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| Don't worry officers, we come in peace.... |
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| Dr Musa- terrified by my driving skills! |
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| Closing into Rafah Border |
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| Rafah - 5 km ... the sign that makes my Zab, Jem and Azian cried... |
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| Looking for Palestine? Go straight ahead! |
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| The yellow gate that has been appearing in my dream for years.... |
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| Please enter Palestine one by one.... |
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| My sisters in Palestine.... |
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| The teacher who has drawings for Malaysian children! |
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| Yeah!! We broke the siege!!! |
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| 5000+ km of driving is worth this moment of happiness! |
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| Speech! Speech! Speech! |
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| Just now was at the border... now really going into the city of Gaza.... |
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
All Vehicles On Board! - Viva Palestina Land Convoy 5
Salam dearest family and friends,
Last night at about 9.44pm Malaysian time, I texted Zabrina...
'We start driving d van onto d ship in 20 min...'
Of course, Zab being Zab, she went curious and questions were flying to me like a bazooka!
She wanted to know the size of the ship..
Good question... but as I also dont know, so, I asked her google it up.
The name of the cargo vessel is Strofades IV, wak... I told her.
And a few minutes later, she texted me...
Waaa.... so huge....
Of course so huge babe, it fills up 143 vehicles!
Although I feel sad and a little bit anxious that the activists wont be sailing together with our vehicles, I pray our cargo vessel will reach its destination safely, ameen....
And tomorrow, me together with the 400 activists will be flying into Cairo then drive to the El Arish Port to wait up for our vehicles....
Then, God Willing, we will drive into Gaza!!!
We are all praying that we will be able to make Jumaah prayer in Gaza this Friday... ameen...
Meanwhile, take a look at this cargo vessel picture googled by Zab, and watch this video googled by Jem!
Love always,
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina for the anxious Azura who is maybe right now about to leave Syria)
Last night at about 9.44pm Malaysian time, I texted Zabrina...
'We start driving d van onto d ship in 20 min...'
Of course, Zab being Zab, she went curious and questions were flying to me like a bazooka!
She wanted to know the size of the ship..
Good question... but as I also dont know, so, I asked her google it up.
The name of the cargo vessel is Strofades IV, wak... I told her.
And a few minutes later, she texted me...
Waaa.... so huge....
Of course so huge babe, it fills up 143 vehicles!
Although I feel sad and a little bit anxious that the activists wont be sailing together with our vehicles, I pray our cargo vessel will reach its destination safely, ameen....
And tomorrow, me together with the 400 activists will be flying into Cairo then drive to the El Arish Port to wait up for our vehicles....
Then, God Willing, we will drive into Gaza!!!
We are all praying that we will be able to make Jumaah prayer in Gaza this Friday... ameen...
Meanwhile, take a look at this cargo vessel picture googled by Zab, and watch this video googled by Jem!
Love always,
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina for the anxious Azura who is maybe right now about to leave Syria)
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Strofades IV |
From One NO to 17 NO? Viva Palestina 5 Land Convoy
Salam and hi everyone,
By now, I am sure you all have heard about the new conditions set by the Egyptian government.
The condition is this- if the VP convoy wants to enter Gaza, there are an additional 17 of our convoy members must be left behind!
Huh?
Yes, Egypt said NO to 17 of our convoy members from sailing to El Arish Port, Egypt and by that they are automatically banned also from entering Gaza...
First it was only George Galloway, our Viva Palestina founder. A big NO.... that's banned #1...
Then, suddenly... yesterday.... 17 more NO banned pops up!
I don't know what to say....
Feel so sad for my 17 friends...
Some of them have already travelled like 5000 km, sleep sitting in the vehicles, get beaten by mosquitoes, sleep in freezing cold weather, not bathe for days, traveling across a few countries just so that they can tell others and create global awareness about the oppressed Palestinians... about Palestinians living under siege.. about Palestinians living in open prison....
Plus, they also want to send in the wheelchairs, books, toys, pencils, medicines etc to the people of Gaza.
What is so wrong about that?
And now, last minute, Egypt say they cannot go to Gaza???
Haiyo.... this is so wrong... so wrong...
I wonder if these same people want to go for Pyramid visiting, will they be allowed to enter Egypt?
Hah.... maybe we should try and test that, right?
If yes, then it means that Egypt is stopping people from entering her soil just because she wants to stop these people from entering her neighbouring country, right??
Can ke, like that?
So illogical....
But again, what has logic got to do when it comes to the Palestinian issue, right?
Just look at the all UN response if you don't believe me...
I am ciplak-ing Dr Musa's plus one from Adnan post about a few of our banned convoy members... no need to reinvent the wheel, right guys?
1 Sh Ismail is an 83 year old Jordanian and was always in the first saff of tahhajud prayers. After prayers he would sit with the young hafizs and offer his wisdom and counsel. He was on mavi marmara. His son has also been banned. Sheikh spoke passionately for George Galloway to be allowed on the ship but he suffered a similar fate right now.
2 Our muezzin was also banned. He was always first to rise at 0330 hrs to spread the prayer carpets and fix the sound system. I cried for him cos I got to know him so well. In Jordan he was the imam of a masjid but he humbled himself to be just muezzin and pushed all the younger hafiz to lead the prayers. He always led the reading of the al- mathurat after subuh and he has such a beautiful n moving voice. I will miss him terribly.
3 One of the Turks is two doors from our dorm. He is such a lovable man always smiling and raising his hands to his heart when greeting us. He was on the mavi. Just this morning at 6 am I offered him cappuccino and he gracefully said no and thank you and smiled. And he was walking up and down the dorm corridors listening to Sh Husayry quranic recitation. The many Turks would crowd around him. I will miss his smile.
4 Each of them have a painful story to tell. One Jordanian man was in gaza on vp3. He promised a seven year old girl that he would be back with more toys for her. He has lots of toys but his heart bleeds cos he will not be there to see the happiness on the child face !
5 Another Jordanian who was on mavi was glad that on his return from the ship he was able to answer all the questions from his children about the flotilla. How is he going to face his children now ? How is he going to respond to the innocent questions from his kids with the foul games men play?
6 Egypt mistook Amina, an activist from UK as George Galloway's wife. George explained that his ex-wife was Amina, and it is certainly not this Amina who is single. He said Amina would not marry him anyway.
7 Zaki, who has never been in convoy is also banned. How is a person not in convoy being banned from entering Egypt?
May Allah bless these noble souls over n over. And make it less painful and sorrowful for them.
To all my banned friends, your spirit and dedication to the Palestinian Freedom will motivate me further, inshaAllah!
Till then, still in Latakia,
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina who is so proud of Azura staying positive and objective-driven at this very trying and testing times)
By now, I am sure you all have heard about the new conditions set by the Egyptian government.
The condition is this- if the VP convoy wants to enter Gaza, there are an additional 17 of our convoy members must be left behind!
Huh?
Yes, Egypt said NO to 17 of our convoy members from sailing to El Arish Port, Egypt and by that they are automatically banned also from entering Gaza...
First it was only George Galloway, our Viva Palestina founder. A big NO.... that's banned #1...
Then, suddenly... yesterday.... 17 more NO banned pops up!
I don't know what to say....
Feel so sad for my 17 friends...
Some of them have already travelled like 5000 km, sleep sitting in the vehicles, get beaten by mosquitoes, sleep in freezing cold weather, not bathe for days, traveling across a few countries just so that they can tell others and create global awareness about the oppressed Palestinians... about Palestinians living under siege.. about Palestinians living in open prison....
Plus, they also want to send in the wheelchairs, books, toys, pencils, medicines etc to the people of Gaza.
What is so wrong about that?
And now, last minute, Egypt say they cannot go to Gaza???
Haiyo.... this is so wrong... so wrong...
I wonder if these same people want to go for Pyramid visiting, will they be allowed to enter Egypt?
Hah.... maybe we should try and test that, right?
If yes, then it means that Egypt is stopping people from entering her soil just because she wants to stop these people from entering her neighbouring country, right??
Can ke, like that?
So illogical....
But again, what has logic got to do when it comes to the Palestinian issue, right?
Just look at the all UN response if you don't believe me...
I am ciplak-ing Dr Musa's plus one from Adnan post about a few of our banned convoy members... no need to reinvent the wheel, right guys?
1 Sh Ismail is an 83 year old Jordanian and was always in the first saff of tahhajud prayers. After prayers he would sit with the young hafizs and offer his wisdom and counsel. He was on mavi marmara. His son has also been banned. Sheikh spoke passionately for George Galloway to be allowed on the ship but he suffered a similar fate right now.
2 Our muezzin was also banned. He was always first to rise at 0330 hrs to spread the prayer carpets and fix the sound system. I cried for him cos I got to know him so well. In Jordan he was the imam of a masjid but he humbled himself to be just muezzin and pushed all the younger hafiz to lead the prayers. He always led the reading of the al- mathurat after subuh and he has such a beautiful n moving voice. I will miss him terribly.
3 One of the Turks is two doors from our dorm. He is such a lovable man always smiling and raising his hands to his heart when greeting us. He was on the mavi. Just this morning at 6 am I offered him cappuccino and he gracefully said no and thank you and smiled. And he was walking up and down the dorm corridors listening to Sh Husayry quranic recitation. The many Turks would crowd around him. I will miss his smile.
4 Each of them have a painful story to tell. One Jordanian man was in gaza on vp3. He promised a seven year old girl that he would be back with more toys for her. He has lots of toys but his heart bleeds cos he will not be there to see the happiness on the child face !
5 Another Jordanian who was on mavi was glad that on his return from the ship he was able to answer all the questions from his children about the flotilla. How is he going to face his children now ? How is he going to respond to the innocent questions from his kids with the foul games men play?
6 Egypt mistook Amina, an activist from UK as George Galloway's wife. George explained that his ex-wife was Amina, and it is certainly not this Amina who is single. He said Amina would not marry him anyway.
7 Zaki, who has never been in convoy is also banned. How is a person not in convoy being banned from entering Egypt?
May Allah bless these noble souls over n over. And make it less painful and sorrowful for them.
To all my banned friends, your spirit and dedication to the Palestinian Freedom will motivate me further, inshaAllah!
Till then, still in Latakia,
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina who is so proud of Azura staying positive and objective-driven at this very trying and testing times)
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| Press Conference on 17 banned members of convoy. In blue t-shirt, is Amina, UK, banned. |
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Goodbye Home Sweet Home
Salam dearest family and friends,
Yesterday was a reality check day for all of us- the temporary campers in the Ex Refugee Camp in Latakia, Syria.
After receiving news of the approval, and getting confirmation of the date and time of sailing, we started to pack our things.
And while I do that in my little castle, I started to feel sad....
Haaa, Zabrina... before you start jumping up and down thinking I don't want to leave Latakia go to Gaza and come back home.... relax... ok.... let me explain....
It is not that I am not excited to start sailing to Gaza.... believe me... I would have swim my way to El Arish if they let me...
But the fact that we have been staying here for about maybe 12 days has made this camp a place of memories for me..... both happy and sad....
Happy sebab because of the long period, I get to know the activists closer... get to know them deeper.... share activities... share knowledge.... share experience.... share notes... share food...hehe....
Ok, ok... i will be serious....
Not only the activists, we also get to know the amazingly happy Palestinians although they are oppressed and live in hardship... no anti-depressant pill used, ok....
You know, Zab... they have been great host to us, made us feel really at home, invited us to their weddings, asked us to come over for makan-makan their delicious home made food etc etc etc....
Aiyo... why am I always remembering food nie?
But my sad memories pulak... because here in Latakia... I begin to understand the harsh conditions the Palestinian refugees have to live with...
Jem and Azian, remember the pictures of wires hanging around the houses you guys showed me and Zab after your trip back from the Summer Camp in Lebanon?
I think the situation is the same over here....
Their homes have no proper wiring installed... no proper sewage system... no one will come and collect your rubbish and litter....
And I feel very sad because so many times whenever I meet the Palestinians ladies, some will ask if they can come with us to Gaza....
'Our home, sister Azura...' this is what they said to me...
Can you imagine.... first they force you out from your hometown and country, destroy your houses and take your land.....
Then they put your somewhere in a refugee camp....
Still not enough.... right?
Generations later, you are still not allowed or forbidden to return to where your home town or kampung is.... but, other people who are totally not related can go there??
How is that fair?
How is that just?
How is that ..... ?
Ishhh... if I think about it, this blog post will not turn out the way I plan....
As I look around me... trying to remember and memorize every inch of the area of the camp... i know now I will miss this place...
And for memories, here are the many photos taken by different activists documenting our lives in Latakia, Syria... thank you guys for sharing this photos....
Goodbye Latakia.... Thank you for being good and kind to us....
Love always,
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina for Azura who instead of packing her things, is now staring sadly into empty space)
Yesterday was a reality check day for all of us- the temporary campers in the Ex Refugee Camp in Latakia, Syria.
After receiving news of the approval, and getting confirmation of the date and time of sailing, we started to pack our things.
And while I do that in my little castle, I started to feel sad....
Haaa, Zabrina... before you start jumping up and down thinking I don't want to leave Latakia go to Gaza and come back home.... relax... ok.... let me explain....
It is not that I am not excited to start sailing to Gaza.... believe me... I would have swim my way to El Arish if they let me...
But the fact that we have been staying here for about maybe 12 days has made this camp a place of memories for me..... both happy and sad....
Happy sebab because of the long period, I get to know the activists closer... get to know them deeper.... share activities... share knowledge.... share experience.... share notes... share food...hehe....
Ok, ok... i will be serious....
Not only the activists, we also get to know the amazingly happy Palestinians although they are oppressed and live in hardship... no anti-depressant pill used, ok....
You know, Zab... they have been great host to us, made us feel really at home, invited us to their weddings, asked us to come over for makan-makan their delicious home made food etc etc etc....
Aiyo... why am I always remembering food nie?
But my sad memories pulak... because here in Latakia... I begin to understand the harsh conditions the Palestinian refugees have to live with...
Jem and Azian, remember the pictures of wires hanging around the houses you guys showed me and Zab after your trip back from the Summer Camp in Lebanon?
I think the situation is the same over here....
Their homes have no proper wiring installed... no proper sewage system... no one will come and collect your rubbish and litter....
And I feel very sad because so many times whenever I meet the Palestinians ladies, some will ask if they can come with us to Gaza....
'Our home, sister Azura...' this is what they said to me...
Can you imagine.... first they force you out from your hometown and country, destroy your houses and take your land.....
Then they put your somewhere in a refugee camp....
Still not enough.... right?
Generations later, you are still not allowed or forbidden to return to where your home town or kampung is.... but, other people who are totally not related can go there??
How is that fair?
How is that just?
How is that ..... ?
Ishhh... if I think about it, this blog post will not turn out the way I plan....
As I look around me... trying to remember and memorize every inch of the area of the camp... i know now I will miss this place...
And for memories, here are the many photos taken by different activists documenting our lives in Latakia, Syria... thank you guys for sharing this photos....
Goodbye Latakia.... Thank you for being good and kind to us....
Love always,
Azura
(posted by Sis Zabrina for Azura who instead of packing her things, is now staring sadly into empty space)
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| The ex refugee camp where VP 5 Land Convoy activists stayed |
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| Our garden facing the row of our 'apartment' |
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| This is where we stayed |
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| Work + Pleasure for Viva Palestina Malaysia team - Azra, myself, Faizal and Dr Musa |
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| Our dining hall |
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| Our bedroom |
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| Close up of our apartments |
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| Pray anywhere on Allah's earth |
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| Malaysian Embassy in the camp! |
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| Makan-makan together |
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| Entrance to my little castle |
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| 'Landed area' of my little castle |
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| Bed cum Cupboard cum Dressing Table cum Surau cum Hangers cum Drawers cum ..... |
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| Hi there.... |
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| Some prefers the tents |
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| 'Housing' areas of some activists |
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| Azra's working hard in the morning to make coffee |
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| Can I have some? |
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| Sometimes we visit one another's 'home' |
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| Malaysian's fav past time - snacking! |
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| This is not my 3 in 1 coffee! |
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| Whatever la.. beggers cant be choosers.... |
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| Can I have some? |
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| Good examples of how we should sit and eat! |
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| Azra and Dr Musa's sugar fix! |
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| Follow the leader.... |
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| Who is actually working here? Only Faizal?? |
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| Always having to make coffee for others... |
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| Food cooked by men! |
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| Malaysian 'Open House' camp style! |
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| Come and try Malaysian food... yum..yum... |
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| Nice or not, brother? |
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| We wash our clothes, ok.... |
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| Invasion of private bungalows |
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| Newly 'constructed' bungalow units |
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| This is how birds see us! |
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| Wallpaper? |
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| Do you know what flags are these? |
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| Aqsa Syarif's kitchen! |
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| Do not disturb.... |
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| Another one of Malaysian Embassy |
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| Faizal wanting to see how the birds see us.... |
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| No theft... no chains needed... |
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| Happy family.... |
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| I drew that! |
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| Taking a break... |
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| We are with you, Palestine.... |
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