I can’t tell you how much happy I am after reading the following email, which I got from a dear American friend. It reassures me that I’m doing the right thing:
My Dearest Haitham,
I remember almost three years ago when I first emailed you, I asked you what your opinion on the Palestinian issue was. What a SILLY question to ask because I didn’t know you!Anyhoo, ever since, you have always been my inspiration, so I want to tell you that you inspired someone else also, my daughter (_removed by Haitham for privacy_), who is a freshman at (_removed by Haitham for privacy_)
Today when driving home after I picked her up (HOPEFULLY she gets her license next week) she said, “Mom, in two weeks I have to give my first presentation in my communications class (that’s her major), and we get to pick any topic, it needs to be six minutes, and it’s extemporaneous (not written in full, just notes-so they really need to know the subject)
I said, “Oh, well that’s exciting, have you thought about a topic?”
She said, “Yes, the occupation”
I turned to her and said, “What? The occupation in Iraq?” (I only asked her that because there’s certainly a lot more on our news about it)
She said, “No, Palestine”
Haitham, I got a big lump in my throat, and YOU came to my mind immediately.
She said, “Everyone knows alot about the occupation in Iraq, I want to teach my classmates something with my presentation”
So…she asked me to help her, but I doubt VERY much she would have chosen that subject had not three years ago I stumbled upon your blog, and then you, yes you Haitham, inspired me.
I wanted to let you know about this, so that you just take a rest whenever you need to, but know, that your efforts have now reached to a second generation in my family, and she REALLY wants to know all she can so that she can correct misconceptions that lead to our continued support of the occupation.
One presentation at a time, more to come…
Peace, love and hugs,
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