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Muslim Affairs Page
Answer
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Name
Abdallah
-
Profession
Question
Hello Heba,
I like your posts at this site, you give me the sense of the internal life of Gaza ..
I want to ask you an important question, is what we hear in some media correct that you are living through a misery? if so, then to what extent can we compare yours to Darfuris' ?
Answer
Hello Abdalla..Thanks..
Yes our situation is sooo miserable at all aspects. For us, as Palestinians, there were always reasons for misery. However, it has never been that difficult in Gaza. I realize that Darfur has its share of trouble (internal and external problems). Things might be worse there or worse here. I can't determine. But Gaza siege turned the humanitarian situation into a disaster
Name
A. Ibrahim
- Egypt
Profession
Question
When we heard about the Hamas take over of Gaza we realized that terrorism in spreading through Palestine, yet what i hear from some Pal. friends is that they are not that ubset from Hamas, actually many if not all of them are liking Hamas ... To what extent do you see Hamas as the cause of the current status in Gaza?
May Allah guide us all to the right path
Answer
I do believe that electing Hamas as a government, at the dislike of Fateh and Israel, is one big contributor to the deterioration in the political and economic situations. Yes, many people believed in Hamas and many still do. Many blame Hamas for gaza siege while others believe it was never given a chance to show what capacities it has as a governor. You have also to know that the idea of hamas sieged and fought gained it sympathy from many. Still , the impact of the siege made it lose many of its former supporters.
Name
Mona
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Profession
Question
As salamu alaykum Heba
I know about the humanitarian crises in Gaza, but i would like to know how are people's moralities, are they holding on or collapsing...also i would like to know how to help? knowing that nothing can enter through the borders?
Answer
Waalaikom elsalam Mona ... You nailed The problem in my opinion as yes people's moral judgment was affected by the whole situation as factional split invaded families and factions supporters became really prejudiced when it comes to what their faction does-no matter how moral or immoral the act is.
If you are asking about people's spirit ..yes it is affected to the worse as basic needs became the most important thing for so many Gazan families, which are generally difficult to afford with 80% poverty rate. So some say they are holding up while others are in despair. the more you get affected, the more hopeless you will feel. I think you can help us through prayers ..as yes the siege is very tight !
Name
Omar
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
Is there a difference between the situation in Gaza and that in the West Bank, i heard that in the West Bank it is also not that good?
Answer
Yes there is a difference ..We both have our share of problems but with a degree of diversity. They have the apartheid wall and the check points as the two most apparent problems in their lives. They also have significant rates of poverty and unemployment and a continuous factional tension ( in which Hamas is weaker than Fateh ).
In Gaza, however, we have higher percentages of poverty and unemployment. We have freedom in internal movement but as close as a small box when it comes to borders. Due to the siege, we had a leap of prices and scarcity of goods and services. We can not travel without a miracle and with very tight pre-prepared procedures. The list goes on !
Name
Mother of 3
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Dear Sister
My heart goes out for you and your children- what are they doing? do they go to school- if yes how is their psychological state-if someone got sick ( Allah forbids) can you find medicine?
Answer
Dear sister ..My kids are fine and thank you for asking ..I have a 4 year old and a 2 1/2 year old( both girls). They are still young to realize the tons of problems that we have around. They were of course exposed to violence during factional fighting and sonic booms ..but luckily they forgot. This does not apply to hundreds of children who are traumatized because of all that they saw on the ground the last year. Organizations report on high percentages of fear, anxiety, trauma, lack of confidence among children, especially those whose parents are both unemployed! For medicine, it is available with scarcity ..so some times we have to look for substitute medicines ..or we have to look in so many pharmacies ..so yes it is difficult to find what you need in Gaza now ..
Name
Abdullah
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Profession
Question
How do you think Hamas is controlling Gaza so wisely so far. Are people in Gaza enjoying peace now?
Answer
People in Gaza enjoy the quietness resulted from having one authority in power. They enjoy the control over use of weapons, the stopping of kidnapping of foreigners and Gazans, and the protection of properties i.e. cars. So Hamas had a firm hand in controlling Gaza since June 07. So I can say that people like the internal security that has been put in place. Yet, it is more of order without law as legitimacy with two governments on the ground became an issue to the Gazans. Who has the upper hand when it comes to law is difficult to pin down.
Name
OG
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How can i help my brothers and sisters in Gaza?
Thank you,
Answer
This is the most difficult question of all. I swear I don't know! I think keeping us in your prayers is a great help as Gaza problems now can be solved with the great mercy of Allah. I do realize that at a certain level, every small initiative counts and does make a difference but problems at the fundamental level need a change at policy levels!
Name
farwin
- Qatar
Profession
Question
in any war situation the most vulnerable are women and children. what is the magnitude of rape in gaza by the military (and others)? what is the degree of (un)acceptance of survivors of sexual violence? who and what are the initiatives underway to help survivors?
Answer
Thank you for asking..Yes, there had been cases of rape, not significant in number though and were not at all linked to military groups. However, there was an increase over honor-related crimes in the Gaza Strip during the last year. I think 15- 17 was the number in 2007, which is very high and yes it included a couple of rape victims. There are so many programs of NGOs that targeted raising the awareness of honor-related crimes and there is a shelter for women victims of violence that will be built in 2008. Added to that, several campaigns that are dedicated for combating VAW.
Name
Arabian Muslim
-
Profession
Question
Salam Alykom Sister Heba.
I know the situation inside Palestine Gaza in very bleak and i sort of know the details you are going through ... However i Believe that at this stage it is only the darkness before sunrises. What do you see as a Gazan that would support my belief?
I ask Allah to lift the harsh circumstances of your lives.
Best,
Answer
Wa alaikom al salam my brother ..
I hope that what you say is true. With faith always comes hope..However, I can not see a way out with the siege imposed on Gaza, on the one hand, and the disagreement between Hamas and Fateh on the other hand. Unity will be our way out. It is the last resort as I can see it. While having things stuck as they are now is not gaining us much. It is rather turning people to lose their hope which is never a good thing.
Name
Khadija
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Profession
Question
Salam Alykom, How are you living, and to when you think Gazans will keep on holding??
My heart is with you and all Palestinians
Answer
Thanks Khadija ..Gazans are still holding up, Thank God, and I hope they will continue to. If we are characterized by anything, it is by our resilience and resistance. The humanitarian situation is very bad. 1.4 million people are imprisoned with a very strict siege that limits their movement and their access to goods and services ...let alone their feelings of deprivation and despair.
Name
Sara
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Profession
Question
Do you think the suffering of Gazans under siege is getting enough coverage in the media (in the Middle East and Western media? Kindly provide examples and explanation.
Answer
No I do not …as there are day-to day suffering resulted from the siege that is not mentioned in the media, such as the suffering of pilgrims who had to stay 3 days on the road , farmers who can plant nothing , engineers and construction companies that were put out of business, former workers in Israel who got unemployed and penniless , patients who need outside treatment , us as parents who have to go to so many shops to find some milk or had during the last week to stop our cars for lack of fuel ..
Name
Editor - Abdelrahman Rashdan
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Profession
Question
The session has ended. We would like to thank Heba for taking the time to answer your questions, and all those who participated in the dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to answer all the questions due to time limitation.
