Skype with Gaza: A Story of Ahmed Qwaider
Ayman Qwaider
Voice From Gaza
After recent bombings in my home state of Gaza Strip, I finally had an opportunity to speak with my brother Ahmed, 23 years old on skype. The focus of our conversation was my brother's job search after "recent" graduation from his university in Gaza—The Islamic University. Below are excerpts from our chat.
Ayman Qwaider: Brother, what are you doing now?
Ahmed Qwaider: I am waiting the exam from Government in order to get a job and I am fed up with the situation in Gaza.
Ayman: Which government are you applying for and what is the nature of the job you might get?
Ahmed: I have applied for the government in Gaza because you know our unfortunate situation: we are two governments under occupation. (I applied just) in case I will get accepted, though I am not hopeful. Because I will end up in some office and not be able to practice any of the skills I learned at University because Israel’s government still prevent all construction material to get to Gaza which makes it quite complicated to find a job in the field and to practice what I have leaned at University.
I was proud that my brother was striving to be employed, and wondered how he passes his time.
Ayman: What are you doing nowadays, then?
Ahmed: I spend most of my time taking training and receiving courses; this how the Gaza graduated engineers end up in Gaza.
After a while, the conversation turned to the issues of violence that Gaza experiences daily. Having left Gaza a year ago myself, I rely heavily on information from family members such as my brother, to give me details of my home. Media sources are often inaccurate. Ahmed relayed his experience during an [Israeli] bombing raid and how it affected him personally.
Ayman: How is the current situation in Gaza?
Ahmed: Insecure, deprived and no glimmer of hope at all. One day we feel hope and 10 days we are lost. I am not even able to think of the future. Dreams you are not allowed to have in Gaza. Almost every day, people of Gaza are exposed to the common theme here - bombardment, power outages, and of corse, the blockade.
Ayman: Have the Israelis carried out any attacks on Gaza recently?
Ahmed: Ayman, I want to tell you a joke - it doesn't sound funny, but it really is ridiculous.
Ayman: Yes please share it; I miss jokes from Gaza.
Ahmed: Three days ago I was up at out home sleeping at my room. It was around 3 am and the power was off. I heard a sort of an Israeli F16 fighter jet but it was a bit far from us. Then I said to myself, let me go back to my bed. As soon as I got back to bed, a big voice of explosion took place somewhere close to us, but I had no idea where exactly. As you know, in my room there is a sort of big decorated star which is made of plaster hanging from the ceiling. It felt down in the ground and I had the feeling that the rocket ended up in my room. It was super crazy and I was really terrified. I left my room down to my family floor screaming when I felt that the attack is just close.
Ayman: How do you feel now?
Ahmed: Ayman, look, I have been passing though such hard week now. I was send to doctor to check my health situation after the attack. I am really having a bad psychological situation right now because of this attack. It was massive and it waked up all people around. I do not know when all this will come to an end?!
As a peacebuilder myself, I felt moved to say something encouraging. I tried to provide moral and emotional support to Ahmed in his times of trial. My own thoughts and feelings regarding the situation came out as well.
Ayman: Ahmed, I am extremely sorry but I really feel bad and I am powerless to change this. But you should keep in mind that any system of injustice will come to an end. I am certain of it, exactly as I am talking to you right now. I assure you that justice and peace will prevail soon, inshallah (God willing). What people of Gaza are exposed to really is system of injustice. I would like you to show strength and patience. Please. I know that the situation I tough but am sure that tomorrow will be better. Just take good care of yourself now and be strong. I do really not understand it at all - how some human beings are able to dehumanize other human beings like this. It is a totally desperate situation and I do feel sorry for the Israeli soliders who forget all principles of humanity and bomb us, just like that. - Ahmed, I do not know what to say. Keep dreaming of a future and there will be better days again, inshallah.
Ahmed explained that while he was hopeful, the violence affected his will to stay in Gaza, his job-seeking resolve, and his motivation to work for the government.
Ahmed: Shukran (thank you) for the support and every day I pray that this will come to an end and that people of Gaza will have a normal, secure life like you now in Paris. I am really worried about our young siblings and our relatives in here in Gaza as well. - Imagine, this happened to me and I was absolutely terrified, but what about the children here? I really hope for a better future and that this system of dehumanized human beings will end soon. I am seriously considering doing post-graduate studies, so in case you come cross any opportunity, please give me a word.
I could imagine how children feel in Gaza. I worked with them in Gaza and I experienced the really profound problems which children suffer from because of such harsh situation there. Children should never be part of any conflict and they are entitled to their childhood rights, with health and a secure environment. This is what I have learned from my study of human rights.
Ayman: I will let you know in case I come cross any opportunity for post-graduate studies. Now, are you that motivated to join the government and to start working in case you get accepted?
Ahmed: Ayman look, I am not as motivated as you might expect, but we have no choice here except to join the government and working at some office. I just explained to you. And you know the situation here. Often employees get killed in a governmental building - killed for no reason whatsoever. I really do not want to end my life like that.
The story itself is quite simple: the Israelis come with their F16 fighter jets and then [randomly] bomb buildings in Gaza and then you become breaking news again. - This is how many governmental workers' life come to an end.
Ayman: You are totally right Ahmed and I could imagine how you could feel whilst working in unsecured office buildings hearing bombardments going on in the distance. Sometimes, they just call for evacuation from these governmental building as soon as they hear F16 jets coming. The situation is really desperate and I feel very, very sorry for you brother.
We ended the 30-minute conversation discussing our own family. I learned of my siblings and what they were doing, and of course my parents. I do not know when I will get a chance to speak with or see Ahmed again; I only hope that he, and the rest of my family are safe, and that the atrocities will come to an end and that there will be peace in the Middle East.
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URL: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2011/04/04/skype-with-gaza-a-story-of-ahmed-qwaider
