Azra to Gaza

What can I say? There are no words to capture the emotions spilling all over onto the blessed soil of Gaza. Men & women hugging each other, in tears, uncontrollable tears. "We did it!" we said to one another. "Well done!" Hugs, claps, handshakes were simply inadequate.

The crossing itself was so easy. We left the hotel at Al Arish just after 11 am for the port, where our vehicles had earlier been cleared. And after about an hour or so, the march to Gaza began, under police escort all the way. Only 30km but it felt longer. When I saw the Rafah border, it was surreal & as we crossed it, I had to be doubly sure that Gaza lay just beyond it & asked the first person on the street & yes he said, soon you'll see "welcome to Palestine."

Palestine, that blessed land, so beyond her own people's reach. And here we are, a mish mash of people coming together for the same passion.

And now Gaza hosts us as we call it home for the next 3 days, Insha Allah