It was a mad rush to Cairo airport yesterday. The buses left Rafah at about 5.30pm & we were informed that the ride would take between 7 - 8 hours, a downer for us as we were booked on the midnight flight out of Cairo. We were pretty sure then we were gonna miss our flight.
We made frantic phone calls to a friend in Cairo & considered all other options but decided to wait it out hoping for either one; the flight being delayed or the bus ride not taking as long.
Kevin having been informed made haste & we only had 2 stops, one very brief & the other slightly longer. Everyone was informed that we were rushing so that the Malaysians & Indonesians could catch their flight. The meal stop was thus a hurried one.
The convoy family was by & large very cooperative save for a couple & Julie actually voiced her annoyance at being rushed & asked why couldn't we change our flight. If only it was that simple.
Anyway, we got to the airport at 11.30pm & the Egyptian authorities were quickly informed of the delegation of 17 waiting to board & were kind enough to hold the flight. And we whizzed through check in, immigration & straight to our gate. The flight took off some 20 mins later than scheduled.
To all who patiently endured the rush to the airport a BIG THANK YOU. For missing out on your dinner I invite you anytime you're in Kuala Lumpur to my home where I promise to cook you a storm.
These past 6 weeks are not gonna be easily forgotten. I've met many, many lovely people & sadly didn't get to bid them farewell. To all at VP 5, you're simply wonderful & thank you for a truly memorable journey.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Update as of 8:47pm (GMT +8)
We are now at Rafah crossing and will soon leave Gaza soil
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Update as of 7:02pm (GMT +8)
We just left the hotel for Rafah crossing. 1st leg of our return trip home.
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We are at the home of Ahmed Barakat.
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Saturday, October 23, 2010
Update from DV/DrM as of 08:59PM (GMT +8)
We listened to about 12 project proposals
At the international conference of palestine prisoners. It is a very
soul drenching moments for many. Families of the syuhada n prisoners r
in droves filling the hall carrying placards picturing their martyred or
imprisoned loved ones. There are probably no more tears
left in their sorrowful eyes.
O Allah grant these noble souls the highest of your gardens in paradise. O Allah have mercy on their families n give them sustenance from the heavens to enable them to continue with the jihad.
O Allah grant these noble souls the highest of your gardens in paradise. O Allah have mercy on their families n give them sustenance from the heavens to enable them to continue with the jihad.
Mathias Chang speaking at the international conf for palestine prisoners on behalf of mahathir who is sick
Women & children with pictures of their loved ones martyred in the jihad
Reporter caught in the cross fire
Collateral damage
Bilateral amputation
I still think he wheels faster than mils on her 5 inches high heels or zabrina in her kung fu slippers :)
The spirit refuses to be broken
Gaza is slowly unravelling itself. Its dirt & rubbish strewn streets. Its sewage problems. Its incomplete buildings & homes. Listen... Gaza's pain speaks to you.
Last night I sat through speech after speech by selected members of the convoy. It must have gone on for over 2 hours & although I understood hardly anything, save Kevin's, I thought, what can we possibly say that hasn't been said already?
As each person took the mike & I tried to make some sense of what was said, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that how can we possibly even begin to imagine what it must be like for them? How can we stand before them & offer words of advice?
They keep thanking us but it is we who should be thanking them. These courageous people teach us every day, every hour, every moment what its like to be brave, strong and resilient. They live against all odds, & we are humbled by their unbroken spirit. Unbroken spirit that still soars even with clipped wings.
Brave people of Gaza, may Allah grant you more strength, bravery & fortitude. May your spirit remain unbroken & irrepressible. May you stand united, firm & defiant against the enemy. Brave people of Gaza, we salute you & we await the day when victory greets you.
Insha Allah.
Last night I sat through speech after speech by selected members of the convoy. It must have gone on for over 2 hours & although I understood hardly anything, save Kevin's, I thought, what can we possibly say that hasn't been said already?
As each person took the mike & I tried to make some sense of what was said, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that how can we possibly even begin to imagine what it must be like for them? How can we stand before them & offer words of advice?
They keep thanking us but it is we who should be thanking them. These courageous people teach us every day, every hour, every moment what its like to be brave, strong and resilient. They live against all odds, & we are humbled by their unbroken spirit. Unbroken spirit that still soars even with clipped wings.
Brave people of Gaza, may Allah grant you more strength, bravery & fortitude. May your spirit remain unbroken & irrepressible. May you stand united, firm & defiant against the enemy. Brave people of Gaza, we salute you & we await the day when victory greets you.
Insha Allah.
Security in Gaza is very tight.
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Update as of 5:52pm (GMT +8)
We are at a conference for Palestinian detainees. Mathias Chang gave an emotional speech
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Short Meeting with the Gazan Ladies
I sneaked out of the event last night. I was so tired and nearly dozed on stage:) Wonder what i did in 2+weeks to share the stage with big guns ? I was just so happy being mr ordinary; unnoticed; just a jundullah. Adnan got someone to pull me out and we went on three trips ending only at past midnight. Wwere taken to a 3 level shop lot rented by a group of very beautiful gazan ladies! They had a cottage indsutry going:making cookies, sewing, running a kindy and nursery, embroidery and finally we were brought to their shop at the GF, ne of the lady did a ppt presentation; 2-3 cud speak english
the one who spoke was an industrial engineer. They empowered women but have to learn to profit sikit la! We both agreed a good project for VPM to fund. We gave USD 5K and Adnan will write a letter to make sure they get one
of our vans for their daily use.
DV
ps:
Pix shows adnan givign away the cheque
TV3 camera recorded the event
And yours truly being presented a gift by Ismail Haniyeh. Alhamdulillah. :)
Ismail Haniyeh speaking now.
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Update as of 1:29am (GMT +8)
Another speaker at the mike. Don't understand what he's saying because its in Arabic but he's bringing the house down.
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Update as of 1:20am (GMT +8)
Kevin just gave a rousing and brilliant speech.
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