‘’My name is Ahmed and im a Farmer’’

So work sent me on a mission with a couple of my colleagues to carry out what they call an ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ basically it looks at the impact of measures such as the wall and checkpoints on the 172 barrier / Apartheid Wall effected communities in Palestine – you see the wall cuts through land that splits families, farmers from their land, children from their schools whilst taking up valuable land illegally that Palestinians have been working and living off for years.

This whole experience of going out to villages and carrying out these assessments was eye opening to say the least – we went to two villages; Izbat Salman and Azun Atmeh both in Qalqilya District with a population of less than 3000 between them. They were both mainly farming communities. Qalqilya  is a district surrounded by the wall with only one way in and one way out – 100,000 people in total – the biggest open prison on earth...... after Gaza perhaps.

The visit and assessment explored a number of things with the farmers and measured the effect of a number of measures that were forced upon these communities; the barrier cutting through farming land, the checkpoints and access gates where only certain items can be carried through, the number of olive and citrus trees removed to construct the wall, sewage and waste disposal implications with sewage flooding land from settlements, if any legal action had been taken and what was the result.

One thing that I could not understand personally was that all the people we visited in the village councils were happy. They smiled, they welcomed us and they talked about their stories and experiences with laughter; perhaps partially because they feel powerless to do anything and partially because they cannot believe what is actually happening.  I never drink coffee and these guys everywhere we went drowned us in the strongest Arabic coffee in the world which was like Redbull on crack – typically, like all Palestinians, they were very hospitable. 

Nothing is Coincidence, Madness, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari (R.A) and Al-aqsa

To all you eager beavers who have been complaining about my lack of blog posting these past two weeks – the delay has been more due to not knowing how to say something rather than not have something to say. This country is MADNESS.... but im blessed to be here and blessed to be experiencing what I’m experiencing; sat here writing this I can think of more deserving people that could have benefitted from this trip – Why me?. Nothing is coincidence I guess; every action, every step, every meeting, every flight, every fall – all is part of a bigger portrait and we’re drifting outside the gallery with a leaflet on what we may see inside.

Last weekend I made the trip to Jerusalem from Ramallah for two reasons; one to visit the family of  a Naqsbandi Sheikh, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari (RA) who passed a couple of years ago (http://jerusalempeacemakers2008.jerusalempeacemakers.org/bukhari/index.html)  and two to visit Al-Aqsa. The distance is not further than 10 miles but the checkpoint at Qallandiya makes the journey a little bit of a killer. You basically travel to the checkpoint, wait to be let in, take off your shoes, belt and empty all your belongings onto a tray and pass through a metal detector before having t show your passport. Border Police: “Where are from” Me: “England” Border Police: “No, I said where are you from?!” Me:England! ..... the woman next to the officer informed that that although I was brown I was born in England - Border Police: Ok. Go through. This experience was a first hand eye opener too -  a young girl with what appeared to be a broken leg was being carried through the checkpoint by her father. She went through the same hassle. This is MADNESS.

I arrived at Damascus gate and made my way into the old city and proceeded to find my way to the house. The old city is like a maze! But the people I met were helpful and I soon found the house. Literally a few metres away from Al-Aqsa. I had spoke to the Sheikhs Wife ‘Khala’ on the phone the day before and informed them that i would be coming; she was welcoming on the phone and even more welcoming in person. 

The house although simple was very beautiful and I was made to feel very welcome; I spent a good few hours there and we spoke about a lot of things; life, death, her husband and his work; the peace process and life in Palestine. It was sad to hear about the difficulties she faced visiting her daughter who is married in Gaza. We spent our time together with Khalas Aunt who although did not speak a word of English took me on a tour of the guestroom (See photos below); this room was literally a museum in the sense that it charted a full century of history of Palestine and the family and the move from Uzbekistan. It was used by the sheikh for guests etc It also had a number of photos of the sheikh and his family, people that he had met and places where he had been carrying out his diversity and peace work. One of the most touching things in the room was a Photo of Sheikh Nazim (May Allah give them a long life and good health) next to a Photo of Ghandi (May Allah reward them for their good deeds). Living in a secular society in England we don’t see these outward manifestations of integration, acceptance and ultimately love. This is MADNESS.

Before I left, Khala and her daughter Daniya invited me to Daniyas school where a Mawlid (Birthday of the Prophet  Muhammed peace and blessing be upon him) celebration was being held next weekend. They didn’t have to do this and I was very touched by this. We said our salaams to each other and Khalas daughter (the best 11 year old tour guide of Jerusalem) showed me the way to Masjid Al-Aqsa and what began as a beautiful day in Jerusalem; continued.

Masjid Al-Aqsa is an experience to say the least. If you make it past the machine gun carrying Israeli Defence Force soldiers and the cheap Chinese radio carrying Palestinian police the shear spirituality of the place hits you one time. It is beautiful – not only the Dome Of The Rock – Masjid As-Sakhrah but the whole complex. I was lucky to come on a day it was quiet and I got to make the most of the day taking in everything and feeling anything. Have a look at the photos below. This is one of them situations where words are not enough to describe how I felt.

Whilst I was in Masjid As-Sakhrah i met a guy form Ashton there, Nav who was on a mission there for a week of seclusion - was hearing a northern voice from another 'proper bro' he was heezer and a half! lol - "These wobblers here are off it brooo!" hahaha lol. 

 This is a must visit place – to everyone reading this don’t talk about it be about it - make the intention – book the flight and come here; they may send you back at the airport, they may not let you into the Al-Aqsa complex and they may stamp your passport so its hard to travel anywhere else in the world!.......but its worth it. Trust me.