Monday, July 24, 2006

Refugees helping refugees

My dad arrived in Damascus last night. I asked him about his first impression and any stories that he had heard in the few hours that he was there, regarding the Lebanese situation.

He told me that UNRWA schools have been opened to host Lebanese refugees, and that people are doing whatever they can to help out. A local butcher took it upon himself to feed the refugees residing in two of the mentioned schools. My aunt is seeking a family to host. Numerous people are giving money to those in need.

Palestinians living in refugee camps have not forgotten the hospitality of the Lebanese when they left Palestine in 1948, and they feel that this is their opportunity to give back what they once received.

I will be going to Syria in a few weeks, and I’m excited at having the opportunity to help out first hand. I will try to document the suffering of the refugees as best as I can, to show the world what I saw. Stay tuned.

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posted by Omar S @ 2:52 PM   11 comments

11 Comments:

  • At 7/24/2006 11:25 PM, Blogger Yazan said…

    good luck omar.

     

  • At 7/25/2006 2:29 AM, Anonymous maya said…

    hope things will get better by the time you reach there...
    although there are so many people helping out and donating there are still many in need...
    good luck

     

  • At 7/25/2006 2:36 AM, Anonymous wedad said…

    i'll be in syria ths saturday 29th, hoope i can help in something, i'll be there visitn my gradma. if there is smthign i can do please contact me at my email
    wedadf@gmail.com
    queen_wedwed@hotmail.com

     

  • At 7/25/2006 5:23 AM, Blogger yaser said…

    we all should contribute in the relief effort
    good luck
    http://roneceve.blogspot.com/2006/07/amateur-radio_25.html

     

  • At 7/25/2006 10:26 AM, Blogger chet said…

    It is great that you and your fellow Syrian's are reaching out to the Labononese in their time of need. Sadly and disappointing to me is the West's reaction to this all. Reading on Native American history. I ran across a saying.
    You have no eyes, you cannot see.
    You have no ears, You cannot hear.

    I believe that is the problem in the West. God be with you. Looking forward to hearing what really is going on. Thanks for Sharing this Omar.

     

  • At 7/25/2006 10:44 PM, Blogger SomeMuslimMan said…

    Omar - I'm happy that you wrote those words, and update us.

    May ALLAH (swt) accepts the true efforts from everybody worldwide, Amen!

     

  • At 7/26/2006 3:06 AM, Blogger Linda said…

    Thanks alot Omar. Best of Luck, God Bless you! looking forward to your posts. have a safe trip!

     

  • At 7/26/2006 3:37 AM, Blogger Bassam said…

    Few weeks are way too much time for this crisis to exist on the map. I hope things get over tomorrow if not today, so when you come you'll have nothing to do (not that I wish you not to prticipate). Everyone here helps in one way or another.
    Anyway, try to meet up with some of your blogger friends here when you come :-)

     

  • At 7/26/2006 9:11 AM, Anonymous RebelliousArabGirl said…

    that's nice of you to help out!! your a good person!! :)

     

  • At 7/26/2006 11:09 AM, Blogger Omar said…

    thanks Yazan, I know you'd do the same if you were around.

    Maya, I hope so too, but as optimistic as I am, I don't see a end to this problem anytime soon. Even the confrontation stops, the people's homes are still going to be destroyed, and will take time to rebuild.

    Wedad, thanks for the offer, I'm sure the people there need all the help they can get. A friend of mine, Sara, has been actively involved in volunteering (i think with the hilal al a7mar) this is her blog, contact her she can probably direct you (stellar101.blogspot.com) you can also check this post for numbers and contact info
    http://shadyzayat.blogspot.com/2006/07/urgent-syrian-volunteers-needed.html

    thanks for the link Yasser

    You're right on the money Chet. I think there's a deeply rooted ignorance to what's going in the middle east, and how to solve the problem there. The war will NOT stop, unless there's a fair resolution to the conflict. The US often, if not all the time, focuses on the needs of Israel while foregetting the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West bank, and now in Lebanon.

    thanks muslimman, I'll try to take as many pictures over there, and I'll be sure to publish them when I come back.

    Thanks Linda. I'm actually ver anxious to go and see what's happening.

    Bassam it's the sad reality behind the situation. I too hope I'll have nothing to do, since that would only mean the problem is resolved. You guys are doing a great job in helping out from what I hear. I will be meeting with as many bloggers as I can when I'm down there, hope to see you there.

    thanks rebellious, it's the least anybody could do in such a situation.

     

  • At 7/31/2006 5:04 AM, Blogger Lilly said…

    Good Luck!

     

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