"Why are you leaving the UAE? After 27 years?" A colleague asked me.
Story time.
Story time.
2005. Applying for an international internship university program. My mates and I needed travel insurance. All my colleagues got $1M life insurance. I got $10,000. That was the first time I figured I was 1% of a human being.
Why? I was confused. I was first in my class since grade 7 to 11. (Vincent you won grade 12 fair and sqaure). I was on the deans of exemplary students in university. I worked as hard as I can.
I was a really confused 20 year old. Clueless.
I was a really confused 20 year old. Clueless.
Everything that happened after I started working was an indication of how little my life and work mattered. Because I am a refugee. A stateless Palestinian. 1% of a human being.
I worked hardest after my bachelor's in computer engineering. I got 14 professional certificates. I worked in the biggest multinationals. But my life mattered a little. No matter what I tried.
In a nutshell, my life was a constant struggle to keep my employment. Because if that goes neither Egypt nor Palestine can take me in. Egypt (the issuer of my Palestinian refugee document) because I'm under 55. Palestine, Gaza I can't go to because of Israel.
I realized you can't change the world. But you can change their perception of you. If God ever wished I have kids I will never allow them to be stateless. So yes, I'm immigrating and looking for a better life for myself.
Thank you UAE, for taking us in back in 1995, where no other country would. I wished you loved me as much as I you. Stay prosperous.
My first flight out of my new home is to my home country, to visit my father's grave. A place I can't go to now.
My first flight out of my new home is to my home country, to visit my father's grave. A place I can't go to now.
The only difference? Why I can go then? Because I would have a passport. If this doesn't tell you about the struggle of Palestinians in diaspora, nothing else will.
My small story is but a fraction of the hardship and struggles Palestinians outside, refugees or not, face in their lives. And all that is less than 1% of the pain Palestinians feel under the brutal occupation and blockade. All illegal.
My sisters, (the only immediate family I have left) and I live continents apart. Immigrating isn't easy. Make no mistake the main reason is the state of Israel. A terrorist state dehumanizing, terrorizing & killing Palestinians with impunity.
Here is to new beginnings. Palestinians survived 73 years of brutal occupation and ethnic cleansing. We will survive centuries more until we are free. Our fight is human. Our plight will be heard.
#FreePalestine, now and forever ✌
#FreePalestine, now and forever ✌
My late parents decided to leave decades ago, chase a better life and have children that will continue our righteous right to freedom. To our stolen home. I'm just one of the 7.2M Palestinian refugees chasing that right.
#FREEPALESTINE
#FREEPALESTINE
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