Saturday, October 23, 2010

Update as of 12:42am (GMT +8)

We are at a rally and Musa and I are on stage as representatives for Malaysia

(Sent from Azra via BBM)

Friday, October 22, 2010

Update as of 11:05pm (GMT +8)

Kevin Speaking now.

"Unprecedented cooperation by Cairo on this convoy. I am pleased with that cooperation. and I hope the last few days mark the beginning of an easier passage to Gaza. George is not here but we brought his spirit and the spirit of Palestine lives in his heart"

(Sent from Azra via BBM)

At a function now, hosted by local authority.

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Update from DV/DrM as of 10:52PM (GMT +8)

SMS 4:44PM

We will solat jumaat in blessed Palestine. Dr Ismail Haniyeh PM will deliver khutbah. O Allah make us his instruments to break the siege. We r being shown the ruins unleashed by the fire power of Zionist Israel. O Allah we turn to u for protection n annihilation of the aggressors.

SMS 8:37PM

Haniyeh opened with among others the takbir eid which nabi taught sahabah on the conquest of makah. And reminded us that nabi waadal amanah - has delivered the trust of deen, manasahal ummah- has conselled d ummah; wajihadifillahi haqqajihadih - has taught us the true form of jihad. He read the verse ..ummatan Wahida - we r one ummah and the purpose of our human relations - yaayuhannas Ina halaq nakum ... Illali taarafu- o mankind we created u man n woman diff tribes & nations so that u may know one another... the best among u is the one who is the most god conscious. He read the middle verse in baqarah which called believers to double as the ummatan wasata & also as the syuhada aalannas as much as the prophet was witness upon us. 

He talked at great length about the continuing struggle for the liberation of Palestine and the syuhada who have given their lifes for this noble cause. He made special mention of two leaders of Hamas.

Ismail Haniyeh at our lunch

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Caps and t-shirts being given away

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Update as of 7:11pm (GMT +8)

Convoy members arriving for lunch by the beach. Ismail Haniyeh will be arriving soon

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Update as of 6:55pm (GMT +8)

Ismail haniyeh's sermon. He welcomes us and appreciates all that we have done. We have successfully broken the siege and smashed Israeli control. This is magnificient. And Gaza needs more convoys.

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After Friday prayers where Ismail Haniyeh gave the sermon

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Update as of 5:12pm (GMT +8)

We are now on Salahuddin street which connects Syria all the way to Al Arish and beyond.

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Cement factory

Cement factory left completely useless by Israel. Gaza's economy is specifically targeted by Israel

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‎​Onion fields given tender loving care

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Update as of 5:01pm (GMT +8)

Jabaliya is among the most densely populated areas of Gaza strip. Horse carts run right along cars

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Update as of 4:52pm (GMT +8)

We are now driving through Jabaliya city which also has a refugee camp. Gaza is divided into 3 parts, north, south and middle. Jabaliya is in the north. Another town in the north is Beit Hanoun. The north regularly faces attacks as its close to the border.

(Sent from Azra via BBM)

People's lives shattered ruthlessly. What's left of an apartment block


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What's left of the homeland security building after the bombing

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Update as of 4:18pm (MGT +8)

Passing through Al Shateh refugee camp on the way to Al Quds hotel

(Sent from Azra via BBM)

Its a beautiful morning in Gaza. The sea is spread out before me as far as the eyes can see. This morning we're taking in the ruins of Gaza before going off for Friday prayers

‎​The view from our hotel room

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Photos from DV/DrM's iPhone V (21st-22nd Oct)


Latest SMS received from DV/Dr M:
Allahu Akbar. We r in the blessed land of Palestine! Finally. O Allah bless all the members of the kafilah who have travelled thus far to realize the Free Palestine dream. Kevin gave a very powerful n emotive speech which was equally charismatically translated by Zahir. Yup he was able to reverse the ban! It's a celebration in Palestine. Mixed emotions happy yet sad! Joy yet grief at the siege. Civil society today did what world powers have failed miserably. To mainstream the right of Palestinians to freedom, justice n self determination and the flagrant violations of international law n human decency by zionist Israel. A3 jadi celebrity la! All the gazan guys wants a snap shot with her:) The press is here in big numbers some with huge satellite dishes! Man! U shud see the Palestine music machine ! A nearly broken down van but it sure can make a lot of noise n the sound system perfect!

(A=Adnan, A2=Azra, A3=Azura, A4=Faisal)

These are some of the pictures sent by DV/Dr M. Since he was on the ship there were a few pictures on board & those upon arrival @ Gaza. Alhamdulillah

(Sent to Husna via email. p/s sorry the photos were not arranged accordingly i am just too overwhelmed to do it!)


Across rafah n into palestine our arr was greeted with a celebration of sorts before we drove to Gaza

Loads of press people at entry into Palestine

3 levels of cargo. Last 3 cars on level 2

Greek crew at work docking the ship

Whilst A was sunbathing n puffing away his cigarellos 30 of us drenched in sweat offloading 140 vans n big trucks:)    

Our ship docked at elarish

The patriot here is Tony fr Ireland. Has been bugging me for a flag:) I said A3 has them all - on her pillow, tent, van. Dr zin gave him this n he was like over the moon:)

My brutal but patriotic lady chaffeur

Reading of al-Mathurat after maghrib/isha

Azan maghrib in middle of mediteranean sea

Our cargo ship
A blessing in disguise that we only fitted 30 n not 400 people
It is not a passenger liner
12 cabins only
Other 18 slept on floor on lower deck
Just enuf WC for 30
If 400 kena empty their bowel n bladder straight into the Mediterranean sea:)
Besides many had trepidations following the mavi massacre
Cargo ship dirty & oily la!

A2 ahead of us
A3 shadowed her like a leech

Armed Hamas security

Arr port 1800 local time

A4 dead engine
Had to jump start

My chaffeur:)
Very brutal and fast!
LI like had to do all the chores - clean side mirror, pass her drinks!
A4 like 'lipas kudung' running all over snapping films

Need i say more?

Preparing for trip to seaport
Outrider
Syrian police all the way controlling traffic
Hamas presence palpable
They were so disciplined n organised
Their n Syrian flags galore
Truly a celebration of sorts

The 30 sacrificial lambs on the ship:)
Yuzaidi guessed either A2 or A3
No way we guys r going to allow our damsels on board - over our dead bodies!
Besides they r not macho enuf:)

Tony turned the big 5-0
His only birthday wish Hurriyah Filistin
i.e Freedom to Palestine

Al-akh Zahir Beravi Interpal n VPUK giving press statement prior to sail
He was one of 17 banned from entering Egypt with the convoy

Subh on board

Doctor's cabin:)
Hot !
Better to sleep under the skies

Alhamdulillah. And into palestine

Approaching rafah gates. A5 ahead Aqsa boys. Breeze across immigrations !

Driving n SMS-ing. Isssh! Must be the Vpm-mafia bbm legion.

The Hamas music machine. Maybe downtrodden but the sound system was just perfect!

One thing u must give to A- he was always on the ball. Here with our contacts in Gaza. After dinner hmmm 12mn we finalized logistics with them. The dinner was delicious