121 Contact

Wed 3/29/2006 "because we are all Muslims"

Hi, Hiba.

 

Sorry for the delay, and I am sorry about your great uncle.  Allah yer7amo wo yer7am el-jamee3.

 

I was so touched by what you said...that you didn't know whether or not you were Sunni or Shia.  I didn't know what I was for a while either, and I didn't care that much because we are all Muslims.  We are all believers and worshipers of Allah (SWT).  I don't understand why this is happening...it breaks my heart.

 

I was talking to my friend in Jenin this morning.  He says he loves Jenin but at the same time life there is so hard.  I'm sure you love Iraq, and why wouldn't you?  It's your homeland.  It's where you were born and raised.  I told him that I always wish that I was born and raised in Palestine.  I wish my parents never left...

 

On a brighter note, tell me what good songs are out?  I'd love to hear your opinion.

 

Take care and salaam.

 

Your sister,

Fatin

Fri 3/17/2006 my father's uncle was shot and killed

Hi fatin,
I am all right. my family is ok.
before week ago my father's uncle was shot and killed by US soldiers. he is 78 years old. this news made me feel week, I don't know what to do.
After a day of his death, a mortar fell in our school garden.and the situation in school was too bad, the window broke out, and the girls began to cry and yelled  but don't worry no body die or have a serious injured.
We went out of the house today. we were going to my aunt's house which is not far from our house but the roads were closed and we couldn't returne to the house from the way we come from. we went to the othersid from mosul and then return back to our side. The shops were closed at 4 oclock in the evening.. the streets were empty...

Do you know what? before the war I didn't know if I am from suna or from shea. we were living together and don't care to whcih religion we belong to. till the occupation. America worked hard and  still working hard to make a civil war..
OFFF
you can't imagin what I am going throgh.
I am tired . really really tired from this. All of this.
salam

Thu 3/16/2006 Always know that you have a friend

As-Salam alaikom

 

Hi, Hiba.  How are you?  Sorry for the late reply.  I've been so busy with school and work, and I have exams to deal with.  I can't wait for graduation.  Wish me luck!

 

So tell me, how's everything?  I hope you and your family are doing well.  I know you don't like to talk about what's going on in Iraq much, but I'm so sorry; I'm really worried about you and others.  People here say that there will be a civil war (or there is already a civil war).  I can't tolerate the idea.  Three years is such a long time.  Allah yunsorkom.

 

Anyway, my dear, reply to me whenever you can.  Keep smiling!  Always know that you have a friend in New York who will always care about you.

 

Take care.

Fatin

By the way, I am not yet in college...this is my 12th year (tawjihi) I only take 2 college classes.

Fri 2/17/2006 Tomorrow is a big day for me.

Hello,
thank you for the letter And I am sorry for late I was in BAghdad last 10 days and today we came back to Mosul.We were lucky that the road was good. But of course I am tired now.
Huh. I missed my bed, my computer
Tomorrow is a big day for me. I have to go to school and get my mid_examination's marks.
I am terrified; I am not ready not at all.

The driver who took us to Mosul didn't stop talking about Gas and gasoline problems and about the price of meet. What happened to this guy? I couldn't sleep and I had a headache beside that I don't know what happened to my neck, I can't move it easy, It's hurt me a little.

what About you? how is your collage? I hope you are doing great.
Good luck
Salam,

Sun 1/29/2006 11:07 AM I've never felt war

Dear Hiba,

Salaam.  How's everything?  I wish you luck on your mid-year exams.  I will be starting a new semester after tomorrow, and I will be taking a college class starting tomorrow.  I am excited about that .

 

I know the situations are not good in Mosul and in Iraq in general.  I can't say that I know how it feels because I've never felt war, maybe only a little bit when I went to Palestine in 2004.  But no matter what, Iraq is your home.  If I had a choice, I would definitely live in Palestine because all of my family's there and despite the hardship at least the people you love are with you, and there's a sense of belonging; you really feel like you are at home.  It's been more than 7 years since I left Saudi Arabia, and I don't feel like I belong here still, ya Hiba.  The only thing that keeps me here is education.  But I can get education anywhere: Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq .  Actually I might go to college in an Arab country because life here gets very empty and depressing...

 

Anyway, I trust that us Arabs can handle the hardships in our countries.  As much as the people in Palestine are oppressed, they still manage to continue their lives and advance in society.  My town (Asirah Ash-Shamalia, near Nablus) used to be just a poor town, but last time I went to visit, it changed and looked more like a city.  We're Arabs, Hiba. We are smart.  We can take on the world.

 

By the way, I plan to visit Palestine, Jordan, and maybe Lebanon this summer, inshAllah.  I thought I should tell you .

 

I hope to hear from you soon.  Send my salaam to your family and friends.

 

Yours,

Fatin

Jan. 27, 2006 Good News and Bad

This pair of letters highlights an essential difference in the lives of these two beautiful people. Can you see what I mean?
Bruce

September 17, 2005 TWO YOUNG WOMEN MEET

Another pair is launched! These new beginnings always give me the chills. I know it isn’t a big deal, but every time I see two young adults connecting across great distances (political/social/geographic) it raises my hopes; and my spirits, which could use a little uplifting these days (days of bombs, hurricanes, and the general madness of our modern world). Now I get to add Mosul to my poor US-centric spellchecker.

last update =  October 7, 2005-at the bottom, below. 

But enough about me. Here are Hiba (Mosul) and Fatin (a student of mine in Brooklyn) making first contact: