Sunday, April 28, 2013

Donkey Into Prison


Arab Educational Institute (AEI)


We visited the General Director, Faud Giacaman, of The Arab Educational Institute.  


The institute is a member of Pax Christi International.

There are many activities held through this organization; their sumud (steadfastness) program supports education in values, culture and identity. 








AEI’s Sumud Story House organizes non-violent actions and gives a voice to women and families whose lives have been directly affected by the wall.  The women’s stories have been compiled in a book and some are posted on the wall.  I am looking forward to attending the Women's group on Wednesday afternoons.

 An example from their book, The “Wall Museum” Palestinian Stories on the Wall in Bethlehem is copied below.

Donkey into Prison.

Today I live with my family in Walaja village.  It isn’t really our village.  We named it after our original village that we had to leave behind (in 1948 during the Nakba).  We can still see our village on the hillside across from us, but we aren’t allowed to go there.  My son Taha was taken to prison when he was thirteen.  When he was in prison, he built a miniature replica of Al Aqsa Mosque.  He dreams of praying there one day though the Israelis won’t give Palestinian men a permit to pray there till they are over fifty.  My son Mustafa is a farmer.  This winter he was carrying firewood home to us.  The Israeli soldiers stopped him and made him stand out in the rain till nightfall.  They took his donkey and told him they were taking his donkey to prison. 

Hind, Al-Walajeh Village.
Supported by Ecumenical Woman’s Group
Twente-Bethlehem