I hope this letter finds you well. Although we come from different cultures and traditions, I have always admired the spirit of giving and kindness that you represent.
As a Palestinian Muslim living in the good old USA, I do not celebrate Christmas. However, I am writing to you on behalf of the approximately 3,000 Christian Palestinians living in Gaza.
Given that over 51% of the population is under the age of 15. Among those people are solid 3,000 Christians also. Statistically speaking, there should be about 1,500 of their Christian children who will have unmerry Christmas this year for lack of basic necessities to survive such as food, water, fuel, and medicine.
The children in Gaza face unimaginable pain and suffering. Many lack basic necessities like food, water, and medicine. They live in constant fear, unsure if they will see another day. Over 50,000 children have lost one or both limbs, making Gaza home to the highest number of amputees in the world. Many have also lost their parents, leaving them to navigate this harsh reality alone.
I wish for peace and understanding among all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. I hope for a world where children can grow up without fear and where families can live together in harmony. I wish the children of Gaza would have an opportunity for education and live a normal life, so that we can build a brighter future for the next generation.
That said, I only have one request. Could you please swing by Palestine, and in particular to a place called Gaza this year. It is not too far from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, who is by the way is a Palestinian and the reason for the season.
There are 2.2 million people who are starving there in Gaza and have been under bombardment from air, sea, and ground for over 15 months. They have been also under illegal and inhumane siege for over 17 years. You may ask what is the reason for that? Those people wanted only to be free and independent just like us here in America.
Animals are in a worse shape than humans in Gaza. There is no grass or animal feeds left in Gaza.
Parents and children alike are dying daily because they are unable to get food, water, and medical attention inside or outside Gaza due to the daily bombardment and the blockade.
The U.N. is no longer able to deliver food anymore because of Israeli border closings and has also warned of impending human disaster. Not to mention, Israeli settlers attacking the aid trucks with the protection of the Israeli Death Forces (IDF). Sometimes, they destroy the badly needed aid. That is really cruel and unusual punishment.
The children of Gaza do not need toys or video games as they do in other parts of the Christian world, so I suggest the following:
* Baby formula
* Bottled water
* Candles
* Vitamin supplement. I heard many suffer from severe malnutrition
*Clothing and toiletry
*Batteries (all sizes)
*Hearing aids for children
* Coloring books and crayons
* Animal feeds. I heard Walmart store is having a great bargain, buy one get one free!
* Meal Ready to Eat [MRE]. The same kind used by the military.
* No need for dessert, there is one inside the MRE package. However, if there is some gingerbread on special, I recommend taking several boxes. I am sure the children will enjoy it and will talk about it for years to come.
Thanking you in advance. Have a safe trip. May Allah [God in Arabic] be with you, and as you would say; Ho, ho, ho.
Sincerely,
Mahmoud El-Yousseph
Ret. USAF veteran
Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelancer for Islamicity.com and ColumbusFreePress.com. He can be reached at elyousseph6@yahoo.com.