The one book we should all be reading
As I (figuratively, of course) turned the last page of the book ‘I Shall Not Hate,’ I felt an instant urge to to shout to the whole world the importance of reading it.
I wanted to buy copies for my friends. Have talked about it to my boss, my boyfriend and my sister.
And I’ve made a kiva loan today to a Palestinian business woman.
All thanks to the eloquence and sheer bravery of Izzeldin Abuelaish, whose three daughters were killed, or should I say bombed? Or maybe even had their limbs and brains and blood torn apart and thrown around a room?
Despite from the unthinkable tragedy of losing three daughters in a matter of seconds, Abuelaish manages to tell his story about life as a Palestinian, born in a refugee camp in Gaza, and his fight to be a doctor despite all the challenges (and checkpoints) in his way, with an admirable eloquence.
It’s about so much more than one man’s life, too. It’s about the Arab-Israeli conflict. The stubborness of people. The need to emancipate and involve women in the running of society. The desperate need for peace. The denial of human rights to Palestinians. The exhaustion of both the Palestinians and Israelis at the conflict in their worlds. The failure of leaders to bring peace. An unwavering sense of hope.
It’s only January, but I’m calling this one a must read for 2012.
