I went to bed exhausted last night. Sleep would come quickly I was sure.
Then, a sound like … well, at first I thought it was a garbage truck, you know, the kind that lifts up a dumpster … but that isn’t normal here. And it was getting closer.
I got up and peaked out a window.
Outside, there was a tank coming down the road. And then another.
Now, I’m not stupid. And I know a little bit about how to identify objects. So, what I saw was a slow moving column: a couple of tanks – Soviet built, I think T-72’s? – followed by armored personnel carriers, then more tanks. They were spaced out, which was weird – well, I guess in case they came under attack …
They didn’t stop here but kept going. And so loud as they went by …
I have no idea where they were bound for but they were moving north … the news today is that Homs is under massive attack ...
I didn’t get back to sleep for a long time after that. It isn’t exactly something that one relishes ….
I slept in … when I got up, my dad was already up.
“Sleep well?” he asked.
“No, did you?”
He shook his head.
We talked about what to do now. We’re probably going to relocate later today or tonight; we think we have a lead on a new shelter. I hope that it has as secure internet service as here has had! Maybe even somewhere I can use skype … I’d so much love to talk to my beloveds and, heck, do some radio interviews about what is happening here.
And if not, at least some books to read! Really – one of the annoying things here is no books. I’m a bibliophile; I have a vast library at home. And here? They don’t even have a Quran! The only book here is my dad’s very worn pocket Quran …
I made ablutions; my dad already had. We got ready to pray. And … well, this is immensely cool:
He is supposed to lead, right? Man, older, my father.
But this morning, he insisted I lead and be in the imam’s place!
Wow …..
The world is turned upside down; the child leads the parent in prayer, the daughter before the father …
Anything is possible.
9 comments:
please stay safe. and if you do have good internet, you can find some books on project gutenberg :)
love and support from canada
This may be of interest to you and your followers:
http://newsfromsyria.com/2011/05/11/times-undercover-reporter-assad-wont-fall-for-now/
Mashallah, you are doing a very important thing. Keep writing when you can but also stay safe!
Stay safe!
I cried as I read this. What your father did at prayer was so touching. I have been glued to your blog ever since The Rachel Maddow Show mentioned it on the show's blog. I hope you and your father continue to stay safe, Insha Allāh.
Your point of view is so unique. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you over there. As a fellow lesbian who grew up in a LGBT intolerant place(the montains of North Carolina), I can almost late with you. You are an inspiration to so many people that are currently in your same situation. Kudos to you for unmasking the atrocities of the way your government is run. So misogynistic and backwards. Its unfortunate that a place with so much awesome history can be infested with idiots.......
Keep on truckin girl!
you are a queer political junkie's dream come true. thank you for not only existing but for writing about it! much love, support and admiration - michelle
Azrael-I hardly think the mountains of North Carolina can be compared to what is happening in Syria right now-when was the last time tanks were rolling down the streets,secret police were opening fire on unarmed civilians and 12 year old children were shot dead by the state to 'punish' their parents?
Amina just happens to be gay but she she is fighting for the most fundamental human rights-I would suggest to you to look beyond her sexual orientation …
The Syrian regimes actions are not particularly misogynistic and backwards- the Baath movement is about arab nationalism-read about it and also Syria's history for the past 50 years…I can assure you that NOTHING in the US can compare…god help them….
Your dad is one cool guy :)
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