The kids know that their fathers were only guilty of defending Al-Aqsa Mosque, said the mothers

By Yasser Al Banna, IOL Correspondent

GAZA CITY, January 30 (IslamOnline.net) – With the advent of Eid Al-Adha, families of several Israeli Arab leaders are defying the detention of their loved ones and demonstrating determination to celebrate the Muslim feast, to be marked Sunday, February 1.

Israel’s Central Court turned down on Tuesday, January 27, an appeal by Raed Salah, leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel, and four of his associates to be released from detention.

The five were taken into custody in May on pretexts of funneling funds to Palestinian resistance groups and ever since the Israeli court repeatedly renewed their detentions.

Though distressed by his absence, the family of Salah remains adamant not to allow the Israeli authorities to steal away the happiness of Eid Al-Adha.

"We’ve overcome such a heavenly plight patiently and strongly. We’ll spend Eid like other families, visiting the family and congratulating other relatives," his wife Kamila said defiantly.

"My father was sent to prison only for defending Al-Aqsa and helping the poor and orphans in the Palestinian areas," said Salah’s son Qi’qaa.

Echoing similar determination, Saeda Ighbarya said that despite the detention of her husband, Nasser Khaled, she would buy new clothes for their children and decorate the house with balloons and flowers.

"I will be sending my daughter, instead of her father, to visit her aunts and relatives just like Khaled used to do," she said.

"I’m striving to be both the father and mother to my children who long for a kiss from their father. I pray that God will help me put a smile on their innocent faces."

For Mona Ighbarya preparations for the Eid would not be different from those when he detained husband Soliman was around.

"We will not change our customs. We will be buying new cloths for the kids and paying money for the poor."

"I explained to my children reasons of their father’s detention, and they are proud of this."

Yet, Ighbarya, a mother of six children including a 10-month girl, lamented that hopes to mark Eid with Soliman had faded.

Um Mo’az kept hope to her heart that her husband, Mahmoud Abu Samrah, would be freed to send Eid Al-Adha with his family.

"This is God’s will. But friends have promised to spend the feast with us to entertain the kids and make for the absence of their dad."

She prayed to God that all detainees in Israeli jails would soon be released and join their loved ones.

Her son, Mo’az, wished his father a happy Eid and prayed they would be soon reunited.

Mustafa Abdel-Latif did not share the same spirit.

"It is the first feast we spend without my dear brother Tawfiq. We all hope to reunite again," he lamented.

Mustafa said his family would await a permission from the Israeli authorities to visit his dear brother.