One People, One Voice

One of the most beautiful moments from today's Rally in Solidarity with ‪#‎Aleppo‬. We began marching and by the time we got to the Trump tower we found ourselves merging with rallies against deportation, against unfair wages, against discrimination and hate. One moment in the microphone was our classic Arabic chants against Assad, the next moment we joined those from the other rally in yelling 'Sí se puede'. Eventually we were all one loud voice in unison--"The people United will never be defeated". They tied the flags together and we chanted side by side. Truth is on the side of the oppressed and we are one people who stand for justice, no matter who or where.

Finding the Courage

I’m not a poet

or a spoken word artist

Sometimes my voice shakes

and my words fall out of place

But sometimes I find the courage,

to look injustice in the face

When the silence is so loud 

and all that’s said is to please the crowds

When the news that’s presented “BREAKING”

is only breaking the hearts of those who's story its faking

When everything is painted black and white and anything in-between isn’t given its right

You find yourself searching

Searching for a way to give the voiceless a voice

The choice-less a choice

and the oppressed…a moment of peace in which to rejoice  

I’m not a poet 

or a spoken word artist

Sometimes my voice shakes

and my words fall out of place

But sometimes I find the courage, 

to look injustice in the face

When you see images of children drawing tanks and towers 

instead of houses and flowers

Childhoods scarred in a world that bombards, 

With nothing but sheer dis-regard 

Left as orphans to live alone, not knowing again the meaning of “home”

You wonder what you can do from countries away 

For such children living in eternal dismay

Fighting for dignity and liberty

Palestine and Syria, alone face an enemy

An enemy called ignorance and inequality 

An enemy with no regard for innocent souls 

Who's only goals were freedom with no controls

No limitation and segregation 

No checkpoints and humiliations

No violence…just peace throughout their nations 

I’m not a poet 

or a spoken word artist

Sometimes my voice shakes

and my words fall out of place

But sometimes I find the courage, 

to look injustice in the face

I find the courage to pick up my pen

Write until the ink runs out 

Till I’ve shattered all my doubts

I find the courage to put it on paper

To put it in words, to present “maybe later”

And in that scrambled paper and wrinkled page

I realized that the world is our stage

A place of liberation from our cage

Into a world where we are united and represented

Not disconnected and reinvented 

I used to say Somebody should do something about that

Then I realized I am somebody…

I may not be a poet or a spoken word artist

My voice may shake and my words may fall out of place

But sometimes I find the courage, 

to look injustice in the face

Our Forgotten Brothers and Sisters

We hear the name once or twice and we see one or two images on Facebook, but do we really understand the unspeakable tragedy that the Rohingya Muslims are facing in Burma? It seems however, finding information about the crisis is very difficult as there is a flagrant inattention by many news media outlets to the heartbreaking tragedy occurring in this region. Without a doubt however, and as the UN claims, the Rohingya Muslims are the most persecuted group of people in the world today. But how did this happen, and what exactly do the Muslims in Burma face on a daily basis?

To start, Burma (or Myanmar), is located between South Asia and South East Asia bordering India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. The population is about 52 million people with the predominant ethnic group being the Buddhist Burmese followed by those of the Islamic faith which number about 10 million people. The country achieved its independence from Britain in 1948 but power was then transferred to the Burma Socialist Programme Party. Eventually this party was replaced by two councils the most recent being the SPDC or “State Peace and Development Council” which ironically was not very successful in restoring the peace and easing the already growing tensions between many ethnic groups. This regime, the SPDC, is widely accused for its human rights abuses against many of these groups specifically those living in Rakhine State—the state in western Burma with the largest population of Muslims.

Now that you understand a little bit of the history, it’s important to visualize and comprehend what exactly the Muslims are facing in Burma as a result of laws set by Burmese Buddhists. The Muslims in Burma are denied identity cards; this means they are not considered citizens. Despite the fact that their forefathers have lived there for centuries, the Muslims in Burma are constantly faced with intimidation, abuse, interrogation, and military violence. Imagine that–living in country that not only does not recognize you as a citizen, but also constantly terrorizes your land and your family. Hundreds of villages have been destroyed and burned and over 90,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The Rohingya are banned from traveling freely, marrying freely, practicing religion freely, having healthcare, obtaining jobs, pursuing higher education, obtaining motor vehicles, and even using a mobile phone! It’s safe to say they are being stripped away from their freedom and are placed in a state of constant oppression.

There is still hope.

Many have attempted fleeing to Bangladesh, but it seems they are being rejected there as well. Countless families have taken leaking boats to sea in an attempt to travel across the border, but are ultimately turned around by the military and forced to return where they are not welcome. Several families have told stories of even being attacked at sea without even making it back. All this has been happening while the international community remains silent to the atrocities. Burma won’t let in independent observers and information is scarce about the situation, but that does mean we should turn our backs to the most forgotten and persecuted people on the planet.

Although a new government took over under Mr. Thein Sein in March 2011, the Parliament is still largely controlled by the military-backed ruling party. At this point, dialogue, generosity, and prayer are of the few ways we can help those fighting for their rights in Burma. First and foremost, spread awareness. Tweet about the cause, share videos, and inform those that are unaware. Knowledge is the first step to action. Secondly, donate. Visit RescueRohingya.com and contribute what you can, any amount can make a difference. Lastly, pray. Pray for all those oppressed to gain their freedom and live in a state of peace and equality. Pray for the truth to prevail and remember to never ignore injustice, wherever it may be.

Peace: the destination and the means.

Photo taken at Walk for Children of Syria in Chicago.

So often we hear the word peace. The struggle for peace. So often we see the V sign symbolizing peace–raised proudly next to a smiling face or firmly in the face of oppression. Can peace be felt and grasped or is it a lingering intangible that always lies at the end of our quests? Will peace stand the test of time or will time test the peace that remains? Is peace the expression of love and harmony itself, or is it the outcome, the result, of hope and justice. To me, peace is both. Peace is the struggle and peace is the fruitful yield. Peace is the visible smile and the silent invisible joy of a relaxed heart. Peace is the destination, but peace is also the means. For love and truth to prevail, we must have the goal of peace in mind. And as we travel on this road to peace, we must join hands in the struggle, shake hands in the agreement, and raise the peace sign in that moment when we reach it. That moment of peace.