Parade in support of Palestine

Arab and Muslim women staged a march yesterday in a show of solidarity with Palestinian women living in the occupied territories. The demonstration which started at the Palestinian Consulate in Bur Dubai went along Al Seef Road and finished at the consulate.

Ikram Khofash, a member of the Intifada Support Committee (ISC) and head of the demonstration's organising committee, stressed the need to express support for Palestinian women who are forced to live in conditions that are deteriorating by the day.

"No one accepts what is happening in Palestine. It has become a pan-Arab cause. This is why we have invited women from different nationalities to participate in this parade. We have also invited children to show their support for Palestinian children," she said.

Khofash extended the Commi-ttee's gratitude to the UAE Red Crescent Society for sending another flight full of medical aid. This marks the tenth such contribution. "I call on all ministries of health to aid and support our sisters and brothers who are dying in Palestine," she added.

More than 200 women and children took part in the parade, singing Palestinian songs, and waving banners featuring, in both Arabic and English, such powerful messages as 'Stop Killing Children'.

One banner was particularly striking in that it equated the Jewish Star of David with the Nazi swastika.

The sweltering heat and humidity did not deter the demonstrators who shouted slogans with gusto.

Rube Safari, an American of Palestinian origin, has been living in Dubai for five years. "This is the least that we can do! We have to show the world that we are human beings, who have a legitimate right to our lands. I left Palestine in 1963 for the States, and from there, I moved to the UAE," said Rube.

"The media has an important role, but unfortunately, they are not always objective. This is the case even in Arab countries. It is sad, for example, to listen to English radio channels here that still refer to Palestinians as 'terrorists'. Only recently did most of them start calling them 'militants'," she lamented.

One Yugoslavian woman, Jelca Odeh, who is married to a Palestinian, believes that such parades are an excellent opportunity to highlight the plight of Palestinian women.

Baraa Abdulrazaq, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl, was carrying a banner that she had borrowed from the Palestinian consulate.

"I always participate in such parades, and I sometimes make my own banners. I like to carry banners because I like to express my feelings for my homeland and for my people. My dream is to go and live in Palestine!" she gushed.

Holly Warah, a 36-year-old American who is married to a Palestinian, recalled her visit to Palestine a year and a half ago with her husband and three children.

She went to Palestine to look for a home, and was there during the Intifada. "I've seen soldiers shooting children," she said. "I smelled and inhaled gas. I saw how the family of my husband struggled. People over there, they feel forgotten, but they are optimistic and they are full of hope that foreign countries will help them."

"It's time for the Arabs and all people to speak out and show support. They should organise such parades every once in a while. I used to go out for a parade every week in Seattle. Although I'm American, I feel that I also belong to Palestine because of my husband," added Holly.

Mona Mohammed, a 32-year-old Palestinian woman who has lived in Dubai for seven years, was pleased with the parade, but wished it had been staged on the main streets so as to attract more attention.

"Such parades are a simple expression of support for our country and our people. I enjoyed taking part in this parade, but I think it should have been longer and more on the main streets so that many people can feel for us and directly join us," she explained.