There is so much happening in my Medina world, unbelievable events. I almost met the Prince of Medinah, but almost is the operative word. When Royalty goes somewhere ordinary folk are evacuated. I am, unfortunately, at this point in time, ordinary folk. Despite being treated like Royalty by the host institution in the minutes before his arrival. More about that later.
But this morning, after Fajr prayer, went on line to find I had access to the New Yorker. I had been relying upon the magazine edition however all my mail is being forwarded from Canada so I have been out of touch. I am occasionally stupid. Discovered that I have online access as I have a subscription which includes magazine and online. All I can say is DUH which is what Homer Simpson used to say when confronted with reality or the truth.
I was down right surprised to be reading accurate news from the New Yorker about the Gaza-Israel atrocity. The New Yorker is known for its fact-checking so you know you are getting the real thing, not some manufactured CNN or even BBC version.
This written on October 21, 2023 The Simmering Lebanese Front in Israel’s WarA series of tit-for-tat exchanges between Hezbollah fighters and the Israeli Army risks blowing the Gaza offensive into a regional conflict
The accompanying photograph is the funeral of Hezbollah soldiers killed by Israeli forces the day before. It is a photo of incredible sorrow and solidarity. Rania Abouzeid, armed with great knowledge of the history of Lebanon writes:.
“The concern is that a rapid escalation in hostilities on the Lebanese border—or a miscalculation by one side—will blow open Israel’s northern front and transform the war in Gaza into a broader conflagration, with the potential to draw in other elements of the so-called Axis of Resistance, an alliance linking Iran to its regional partners: Hezbollah, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, the Houthis of Yemen, some Iraqi armed factions, and Hamas. They are all potential players in a strategic concept that Iran has touted as the “unity of fronts” against Israeli and American interests in the Middle East.”
I had no knowledge of the strength of Hezbollah until I read this article.
“Of all the Iranian-backed groups, Hezbollah is the most battle-hardened, disciplined fighting force. Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Defense Minister, reportedly described it as ten times stronger than Hamas—almost certainly an understatement, given that Hezbollah is believed to have an arsenal of more than a hundred thousand sophisticated missiles. This might explain why, even as Israel prepares for a ground invasion in Gaza, its drones are buzzing incessantly around southern Lebanon.”
This sounds rather ominous to me, ominous for the Israelis, that is:
“ Israeli towns and settlements are easily visible from Lebanese border towns and villages. Along some parts of the frontier, Israel has erected a concrete barrier topped with vertical metal bars and surveillance cameras, which Hezbollah has already sniped blind.”
Greater detail is provided of the funeral.
The following afternoon, in the southern town of Kounine, hundreds of mourners gathered in the martyrs’ section of the hilltop cemetery to lay to rest one of five Hezbollah fighters who had been killed the previous day. A sea of black-clad men, women, and children paid their respects, walking through an honor guard of yellow Hezbollah flags that lined their path toward the freshly dug grave. They took turns kneeling down and touching the sand-colored soil while saying a quiet prayer. Grown men cried openly.”
A man, who knew the dead soldier, speaks:
“You see these young men,” he said, as he walked downhill from the cemetery. “How many were there? Four hundred? Three hundred and fifty of them are martyrs in waiting. They say we love death”—an accusation made by many anti-Hezbollah Lebanese citizens—“but we love life, and what is greater than giving your life so that others can live in dignity?”
There is nothing I could possible add to that eloquent statement: “What is greater than giving your life so that others can live in dignity?”
Eloquent’s synonyms: expressive, articulate, fluent; strong, forceful, powerful, potent; well spoken, well expressed, graceful, lucid, vivid, effective. Its antonym is inarticulate.
I promised news of what is happening in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. This an email from the Al Rashid Mosque, began in this measured fashion: .
“The Al Rashid Mosque is mourning the countless lives lost to the tragic escalation of violence in Palestine.”
It was this paragraph that was, to me, riveting and compelling.
“In the past couple weeks there has been an alarming rise in Islamaphobia rhetoric in Edmonton. Muslim community members are being attacked and harassed in parking lots, their places of employment and places of worship. The Muslim community is experiencing a heightened sense of vulnerability with individuals being isolated and marginalized.”
If I were in Edmonton, the city I escaped from, I would be “experiencing a heightened sense of vulnerability”, I would be “isolated and marginalized”. All praise to Allah (SWT” Alhamdullah! I am here in Medina.
Ponder the synonyms of vulnerable, read each one slowly and see the peril: in jeopardy, at risk, endangered, unsafe, unprotected, unguarded; open to attack, assailable, exposed, wide open; undefended, unshielded, unfortified, unarmed defenseless, easily hurt/wounded/damaged, powerless, helpless. Instead I am in Saudi Arabia: well protected, invulnerable, resilient.
I am truly blessed, filled with gratitude which I express constantly and sincerely to Allah (SWT) Alhamdullah.
This from Wikipedia:
English translations of alhamdulillah include:
- “all praise is due to God alone” (Muhammad Asad)
- “all the praises and thanks be to God” (Muhammad Muhsin Khan)
- “praise be to God” (Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall)
- “all praise is due to God” (Saheeh International)
- “All perfect praises belong to the Almighty alone.” (A. R. Rahman)
Photographs will illustrate the many gifts I have received. The majority received yesterday, but more about that day in a blog to be written from a very special place this afternoon. I will include a reel on Instagram. Decided not to exit Instagram altogether but not pay much attention to its alarmism, promotions for scamming ‘charities’, worthless properties in Dubai, etc etc. etc.
Other photos will be of wonderful Saudis, who asked to be photographed with me. We are all blessed to be in one another’s company during these difficult days. Alhamdulillah!
