" Norway Life ... and Palestine .... "

Jericho….Celebrate her Ten Thousand Years !!!

2010-11-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ten thousand years is tall there, with her stones, valleys, mountains and waters, embraces the human civilization, history and heritage, triumph over time and it remains the most beautiful and splendid and the most forward, simply because it is here to stay not to die despite all attempts to obliterate the existence and presence; It is thus the eternal city that fascinates everybody who see or are going through, captivating charm and heritage.
"Jericho ten thousand years" is the slogan that will celebrate the Palestine and sing this year and the coming years, with her city the oldest and most prestigious on the face of the earth, and by undertaking a range of economic activities, tourism and cultural implications of different addition to a number of projects to be inaugurated during the period next; including economic projects include the establishment of a number of factories, including sports such as the establishment Stadium Jericho sports, and other agricultural related block of Jericho and the rehabilitation of a number of wells, not to mention education projects, education, health and cultural activities including the preparation of a cultural center and conservatory.

When we say that the age of a city ten thousand years, this means that they witnessed the birth of the oldest civilizations of population, and this is proof that the Palestinian people is rooted civilization in this land and this in itself is a response to Israeli allegations precluding the presence of people on the land of Palestine, However, the evidence and the scientific evidence confirms that Palestine was uninhabited before the advent of long-lived and the new arrivals it.

As for the message of cultural they are linked to confirm the entity, identity and heritage of the Palestinian experience of attempts to blur and theft and thefts Israel, calling on all national institutions to work together in order to meet this obliteration of the Palestinian identity through the promotion of our culture and heritage with all the possible elements of the resources and activities

This is Palestine display image to the whole world to say to all that the city is the oldest and most contribute to the heritage of human civilization and refutes Israeli allegations, so she’s here Forever …while they are only passing people…

Sad Truth ....

2010-09-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Boring …Nothing much … Nothing to do … No place to go … Complainant from this life…Such as all these sentences and word you will find at Palestinians people tongues, but particular at young people tongues…

Immigration is a property that you will find in the entire world, but for sure it’s more and particular in Palestine! Stability in Our Life is Non-Existent!! So most of the Young people are looking for a hope and stability to stay in their land! But it’s IMPOSSIBLE! They are looking for a new life abroad, to be away from the big prison they live in, not to be Prisoners! It’s Sad Truth! I Hate It! I really do!
Every day I hear and meet people and especially young people who started to plan to leave the country, to immigrate…then I feel sad and talk more and more about it…
What about the Education?! The Palestinians are struggling in this hard life to continue their study! To make their dream…but even they finish and continue to the next step in their life as find a job for a new life, they don’t find any! So…??
Many and Many are selling their lands, the lands they inherit from their parents, from their grandfathers…only to have money to immigrate! Is it fair? I know it’s not the best way at all, but sometimes there are no other solutions!!

To tell you the truth, as to be close, my brother is one of the people who doesn’t have job until now! Who graduated from University in Egypt last year! As he studied what he love and interested in but for now It’s about to become 2 years, and he has no job yet! Such as this guy, what he can do?! Feeling sad, angry and unfair about these young people who have the same story. Honestly, he thought many times to find a job abroad and immigrate; as such this situation without a job makes him and everybody who has never thought about it, starts to think about it! Unfair! I’m right? All I can say, is immigration from Palestine is an ESCAPE! This is my description for it because of the bad and unsafe we live in. So the political, economical and Social Situation bad and becoming worst day by day!

Believe me, as a Palestinians…we are not wishing a lot! We just want to find a job and live in our lovely city! Live it nearby our families and friends! We don’t want to travel! We don’t want to be far! We hate to be Immigrations people! But this is the sad truth! Do we have any other solution?

More and more reasons to think about immigration from Palestine…it’s personal as to find the stability and have a good life…Political because of the occupation…to look about the safety and security life!...Economical is becoming worst as I mentioned previous, as to occupy our lands, lost our Palestinians right in our lands, identification and history….

What makes it worst is we lost the young people in Palestine, they immigrate, work and find their lives abroad…they build the immigrated country society, they help for improving and developing another society instead of Palestinian Society! As the Young people are the foundation of the society and country…The Future is in their hands as I learnt and experienced more from YMCA-YWCA in Palestine and especially in NORWAY but we are losing it!

But the main reason of immigration refers to the Israeli Occupation…but we pray for the patience for the Palestinians Young People, as we need them to build our society instead to destroy it by their immigration.

Finally, as I always repeat my words..We, the Palestinians have never lost our HOPE and we won’t lose it! We still wait for the PEACE, we believe in it!

ICWeekend - Fun Days...

2010-03-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

We arrived at nice and comfortable Cabin at Dagali, Geilo Friday Evening from different places in Norway and the world..As this IC Weekend was organized by Bergen ICY …As there were some from Bergen ICY and Oslo ICY, while the rest were GoCY’ers from Palestine and Kenya, and CfC from Norway, Armenia and Madagascar…

Friday Evening was relaxing..getting to know each other..playing games…While Saturday morning we started the day by outdoor activities, playing with snow..digging holes and snow cave ...Sliding at the snow..one by one,, all together..it was really fun at Sunny day!!

Continuing the day by playing UNO my favorite game..but it was different and difficult rules than I know! But it was really interesting to play with all of them…a lot of fun!!

As well as we have had good and useful activity..as we make workshop of three groups and discussed about Environment and consumption..

Still playing UNO and UNO …many times without stopping from this interesting game!!
Here come the strangest activity at the end of the day, at the night…we have informed that we are going for another outside activity, and looking forward to know what it is! Three International groups carried flash lights, papers and pens..ready for the Great activity as I think , which there were different posts around the cabin,, the first one was- create International song, dance or poem about peace..while we are walking among the snow..I felt like swimming in the snow at the dark..falling down many times and feeling cold..but without caring and continuing the posts, which was the second – create international snow man while the rest where, determine the international maps, characters and places…all posts were under the theme of Peace!!

Sunday, playing more and more out with snow..UNO…having fun…so it was really wonderful week with everybody there..And I’m completely sure that everybody went home glad and thankful for Bergen ICY..And I'm so glad that I got an International Friends from great countries that I have never think that I will meet nice people from these countries..

So all I can say that we arrived at the weekend as strangers and left it as close friends...and wish if we could stay longer together!

School Day....

2010-03-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

When I just arrive the school at early morning and saw the students walking and moving here and there ..at the corridor, at the classes rooms…some of them waiting their lessons to start, while some still playing not caring  …So directly I remember myself before some years ago when I was a student just like them, studying and having fun with our friends..our classmates..the real friends from school…like brothers and sisters…these moments are really have touched my heart and give me the feeling of Missing School and to be students..

Of course the school here is completely different than our school..the rules, the uniform as they can whatever they would like…and most of the students have their laptop with them at their desk,,in the class!! Some of the subjects as well and different issues…

Anyway, my visit to the middle school was to talk about the situation in Palestine, as I have started from the morning by visiting seven class as I guess, one by another..all the day  As I have talked about the current situation with some videos about Palestinians Kids and how they are spending their tragedy life, how they are treating by the Israeli Soldiers, comparing with the Norwegian Youth..As well as how the tourists spend their life when they visit Palestine..Olive Trees Uprooting….So every class was different than the other, different questions…different interests…Many students has started to think more of their life compare with our life..As well as how many students has started to think to visit Palestine!! It’s my pleasure to feel that changed some attitudes!!

How was this day such a special experience at school day with the students and the teachers..how it was hard, strange and Great Feeling at the same time to still talking about my lovely country, and trying to be strong while the tragic situation continuing in my country,, and thinking and talking about my family, friend and all the Palestinians and what they are facing everyday…While most of the students questions were why we don’t kill the Israeli as they are killing us??!! Why I have to go home?! To the bad situation instead of staying and live in the Free and Peace Life in Norway?!! While some of them wanted to know some of my experience with the Violence from the Israeli..It’s give me sad feeling to remember my worst experience with the soldiers..

In spite of the INJUSTICE …UNFAIR…TRAGIC…SAD situation we, the Palestinians live in..HOPE will never disappear from our hearts….Never Give In…FREE PALESTINE….MISS YOU PALESTINE…!!!!

The Norwegian Mining Museum

2010-02-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

" The Museum of the Royal Mint"
Sharing the same building complex, there are three other museums grouped under the collective title, The Norwegian Mining Museum: The Museum of the Royal Mint, Kongsberg Arms and Industry Museum and Kongsberg Ski Museum. The Royal Mint, one of Norway’s oldest companies still in operation, was founded in 1686 by King Christian V as part of the Kongsberg Silver Mines. It remained thus for long time, producing coins in silver from the mines. The museum collection includes one of the most coins from King Christian IV silver coins, which indeed originate from the Mint in Akershus Fort, to the present day nickel coins. The Traditional motif with a hammer crossed with a miner’s shank chisel is still used on all Norwegian coins, which together with a vast array of medals are still cut in Kongsberg.

"The Kongsberg Arms and Industry Museum"

The Norwegian Mining Museum’s Industry Department researches, documents and publishes industrial history and of course special emphasis is given to the history of the Kongsberg Arms Factory which was founded in 1814, the same year as Norway’s Constitution. The arms factory was originally started as an emergency measure to relieve unemployment in the town, following the silver mines period of depression.
From the end of the 1950’s, the company became the Norwegian government’s technological flagship with recent decades having seen the development of new products such as gas turbines, airplane engines, missiles and car parts.

"The Kongsberg Ski Museum"

During a period before and after the Second World War it was almost easier to become world champion in ski jumping than club champion in Kongsberg Athletics Association. The Association days of glory, lasting from the middle of the 1920’s to the beginning of the 1950’s, were headed by the ski jumping Ruud brothers ho together with other Kongsberg ski jumpers brought home II gold medals, 8 silver medals and 4 bronze medals from the Olympic Games and other World Champion-ships.

The Various department f the Kongsberg Ski Museum exhibit the historical development of skis and bindings, an original ski maker’s workshop and the previous methods used to produce ski waxes. In addition there is a separate department devoted to the decisive part that skis played in the execution of the heavy water sabotage in 1942-1943, as well as a department covering skiing in the Polar Regions.

Nybruafoss Waterfall in Kongsberg

2010-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

In the spring, Nybrufoss Waterfall’s churning waters are a beautiful sight right in the middle of the middle of the town centre. Although the Nybrufoss Power Station was first established in 1911.

A tree made of Glass stands on the riverbank on one side of the Nybrua Bridge. Inaugurated by the Mayor on 2006, the glass tree was a gift of thanks from Kongsberg’s twin town, Gouda in Holland, marking the 50 years that Kongsberg has sent Gouda a Christmas tree, a sign of friendship from a mining town in Norway’s Buskerud Country to the home of Dutch Gouda cheese.

As a part of the road from Kongsberg to Vestfossen, the first bridge over the river was built in 1641. However, this Nybrua Bridge was swept away in a flood in 1860 and ne bridge was completed in 1862. The present Nybrua Bridge was opened in 1950 and formally taken over in 1953. A through overhauling was carried out in 2006 including new railings and beautiful coin and medal decorations as well as illumination of both bridge and waterfall.

.." Typical Norwegian Day"...

2010-02-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

20 Young with the Leaders arrived Kongsberg Congregation house on Fridy Evening, relaxed, played games and heard music..and have ended this night by nice devotaion from one of the leaders...

Nice Saturday Sunny Morning which the adventures has started where everybody was exciting for Sport day..for Skiing..for Sliding..looking forward to the Down Hell!! As for me To the SCARY Down Hell!

We arrived Ski Center in Kongesberg..everybody was here and there, many buses, cars, tourists and locals.. carrying their ski staff! When I looked at the down hell skiing I was really shocked, scary but wonderful..ski lefts in differents kinds..Unbelievable Place!!

Everybody went to somewhere, some skiing the down hell, some sliding..I like it when was looking at the families with their small kids sliding and skiing, brave kids..ready for any risk..falling down and never mind..continue their adventures!! Happy kids..Lucky Kids..I like that all the norwegian or moslty are learning skiing since they are kids, so it gives them the ability to be more strong and brave in any case they might fight in skiing and other skiing in their life!

Now my turn to be like the norwegian, but of course never reach their ability to do the same, but at least trying to enjoy with them, so sliding at the snow was really funny..interesting,,but to be honest I was really afraid to slide from the top..but it was FUN FUN

Ohh yesss...Fire Time..the kind leaders Gunnar and Gier started to dig the snow and collect woods to make Fire..Finally the Fire is ready..we sat around it, gathering and having fun, while some make some hot dogs, cheese sandwiches at the fire.. and not to forget to mention the camera’s flashing here and there..taking more photos every minute from different camera..

It started to be cold..the sun started to hide.. interesting activities is not stopping! It’s Ski Left time which I always dream to try so now finally here is my chance! But when I was about to pick it up it stopped working, some technique problems has happened so when they informed me that I felt so disappointment .. really! But finally it started to work again..so..yess come on let’s go! Let’s try it! Me and Geir were standing in the long line for long time while many people were waiting for their turn, finally here we are..I think I felt scary in the beginning and maybe all our way  but looking at Kongsberg from the top..how the view was great..amazing..Most of Kongsberg is Forests.... can’t describe the views! Unbelievable ! Liked it! Liked it!

Ready to come back to the congregation house, to relax and warm again..it was so cold at the end of the great day...

And at the evening was different activities..songs, games, drama and funny shows from the participants..and sure the day has to concluded by nice and small devotion with songs and candles that has lighted by everyone with prayer...

We attended Sunday Service at Kongsberg Church..the huge, wonderful and ancient church which was inaugurated in 1761and It has an austere red brick exterior, but a richly decorated baroque interior, as well as it remains one of the largest in Norway with a seating capacity of 2,400.

Eventually I think that I have spent one of typical Norwegian day with the snow, skiing and fire place…Great SportY Weekend!! And felt how the youth and the kids are lucky..even the elderly people..enjoying their time! Nothing to worry about! So here now I’m lucky just like them and thankful for the kind friends who were with me… THANKS GOD ALWAYS!

Vinterfestivalen.." Winter Festival "

2010-02-09T04:52:00.000-08:00

Come on Come on Come on …Vinterfestivalen ..

Vi Ser..Vinterfestivalen 2010 …

Count down has started ..The 10th Great Winter Festival started at
20.00 Friday 05.02.10 at Voss in the east of Bergen..It begun with
the Festival Song 2010 by two of Great Youth with Youth Players.
Around 700 Ten Singers and Leaders from Bjørkvin region were screaming
with power and energy when the opening show begun..Amazing Concert
with Active Youth Players and Singers…Wonderful songs one by
one..without ending..while the participants continue screaming and
screaming…

We started the program the next day by songs and followed by talking
about YGlobal and Madagascar by Ingebjørg Lien and I.We introduced
ourselves as representing KFUK-KFUM Global ..and presented about
Madagascar as a promotion for participating more in Global Market for
Madagascar and they were interested to hear that!

In the Middle of the day..the participants were divided for many
different Seminars..Drama, Choir, Skiing, Dance and others. Ingebjørg
had a seminar about Peace and Conflict because the youth there had to
be aware of peace and what’s going on in the world. My Seminar was
Palestinian Food and my group had about 25 youth and we all made a
Palestinian dish called “Musakhan “ and another kind of Salad called “
Tabola “ and they were enjoying and having fun together. I also shared
with them a short movie from Palestine…

Interesting Programs continued and it was soon Global Market time, all
the participants were waiting for the doors to open to start the
GLOBAL MARKET!! It’s opened Evening ..Ready to play..Ready to enjoy
more and more..The Global Market contained many different
activities..The Participants were involved in all the activities.. see
them here and there..There were Massage Activity, Climb the Rope, see
your future by reading your hand, Bag Air Games, Hug from Banglus as
this great activity was done by Ingebjørg, Write your name in Arabic
on your arms and sure this activity was from me and it was a success
..So eventually the Global Market had collected a good amount of money
for Supporting Madagascar!

Late Shows started at around 20:30 where everybody had to wear nice
suits and dresses- It was a Formal Concert and this late concert
included all the Ten Sing Groups ..one by one, Short Film about all
the Seminars and every group was better than the other..As well as the
Dance and Song Festival many times…Various Amazing Songs…Interesting
Magical Show and Beautiful Rap Songs.. Different Dancers..Some Games
.. Celebrating the 10th Anniversary for the Festival with Songs and
Balloons Flying and Exploding everywhere in the whole Big Hall… Fun
Fun … Atmosphere of Joy and Love ..Among all the Participants and
Leaders..How Lucky the Norwegian Youth!! God Bless Them all..

And followed by Lighting a candles as train and walking around Voss at
around 00:30am ..It was so Nice…and Finally the evening ended with
some songs, and devotion by a priest..

Nice Weekend..

2010-02-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Ready for our weekend..for the White Mountain..up in the mountain..at Buskerud KFUK-KFUM Place, called Blestølen..

Me, Husam, Turid and another friend Sara..As Husam came from Trondheim for the weekend for partners meeting, as we have had useful and good meeting with the partners, all of them came from different countries..Palestine, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Sudan and sure not to forget the Great Coordinator for GoCY Program Mia…As well as the next day of the meeting we had nice time with them, we enjoyed together at Mia’s Place…

So we started our road up to the mountain on Friday 29/01/2010, passing all our roads among the Snow.. white at the forest..at the mountain..passing through the down hell mountains for skiing ..Freezing Fjords..So nice..Laughing and discussing together…

So we arrived the Great Place..as Turid say always “ Our Home” ..and it’s really comfortable place, nice and calm cabin..The Weekend for Bangla delegation 2010..as it’s preparation for them and introduction about YMCA-YWCA and Bangladesh.
Friday evening arrived the Participants, and they were 7 kind young people..we have got to know each other there, and have fun..

While the next day on Saturday..It was snowing ..snowing …too cold..but in spite of bad weather we went Skiing for the first time  it was great..so nice,, it’s really interesting!! I like it! Norwegians are really lucky to have such as this sport and can go skiing whenever they want! So Great!

While the participants were continuing their workshop..We were enjoying our time, playing cards..Drinking Arabic Coffee  ..The Norwegians friends liked it so much 
At the Evening..we had fun all together by playing some games and singing, but at the rest of this evening we have presented for them about Palestine..current situation now..I think it was interesting for them, they got new information as they didn’t know about it before.. so we were happy to share with them our real life..our tragic life! It’s good for them to know about others life, to know how lucky they are in Norway..in Peaceful Life! And I shared with them short movie about Palestine the Holy Land..movie as far away from the Occupation..So Turid thank her she has ended thin evening by pray for Palestinians…

Last day, Sunday..it was short program and went home ..As it was great weekend..
But Sunday Evening we have had an International Meeting at KFUK-KFUM Office.. It has arranged by ICY – International Committee Youth..as all the partners and volunteers and GoCY were there..So it was international day!  Palestine..Norway..Sri Lanka..Kenya..Sudan…Madagascar…We had fun together..I met my friend there.. as well as there were three Palestinians as they came for some meeting here, so it was great opportunity to see them and meet my friends again…

Nattcup ..." Night Cup "

2010-01-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

Ohhh My God!! What’s an Interesting Night!! BusSing Practicing..Singing with all their energy...exciting.. happy..meeting together again..love everywhere..

It was Night Cup that I have attended at 22/01/2010 – 23/01/2010 which started at 20:00 – 07:00 As this night was under the title of: Bling..Bling..while everybody was wearing shining cloths..shining shoes..shining jewelry…

Midnight Fighting started..Competition started …having fun started..250 Participants, some of them playing Volleyball..playing Bandy.. while the rest are encouraging the players, screaming: “ Go Røyken..Go Lier..” Enjoying ..Laughing in the atmosphere.. Playing games..gathering..

Spending all the night time..some is becoming sleepy..some still has the energy..some is laying down on the floors..camera and taking photos everywhere.. It was wonderful Night…

But what complete this night by successful that collecting money for Water Filter in Bangladesh reached good amount..the participants were sensitive enough to support Bangladesh by buying the water and from Bangla Shop and all refers to Bangladesh..while not to forget the Bangla Delegation who has make their responsibility by supporting Bangladesh..

At the end of the night..or we have to say at the morning  the groups who won the games, received their cup..and backing and come back to home while everybody was looking forward for his bed as it’s own friend now after the great and tired night…

Jesus and the Samaritan Women...

2010-01-19T02:49:00.000-08:00

4:10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 4:11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 4:12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" 4:13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 4:14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." 4:15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."

Strange and Great Feeling to be from Bethlehem, from the Holy Land ..The feeling that I got it when I attended Sunday Service at Tangen Church in Drammen, which I felt as special guest! How the feeling when the people meet you and know that you are from the place where Jesus was born! Or the place where Jesus met the Samaritan women at Nablus City north of Jerusalem, when he asked her for the water and she refused to give him water! Because she’s Samaritan and he’s Jewish! So this is one my favorite dialogue! As this story was the theme of the service, as how Jesus decided to pass from Nablus city to meet this woman and to transfer his message for all the people who believe in him not only for Jewish! So his message is to prove for Samaritan that Worship can be everywhere, the worship inside our heart not where we worship! Because the Samaritans don’t believe in Jerusalem they only believe in Mount Gerziem was the original Holy Place of the Israelites.

As I was Guest in the service, the priest has interviewed me about some issues in Palestine! The water nowadays in Palestine and how it has been one of the major issues in Palestine since years ago, so nowadays; we don’t have enough water to live, to feed ourselves, to drink!! And the farmers, the water are their own rescue! As well as many Palestinians people are living from the water and when no water, what they can do?! Dying! As Israel use 70% from the water and we are the rest! Imagine that! Unfair..they are cutting it regularly, it comes to us twice in a month! Imagine how many Israeli settlements we have and each settlement control many wells..Israel controls all the resources! It’s really difficult and bad situation!

Jacob’s Well, It’s one of the most beautiful places in the holy land! So this well lies within the complex of an Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Nablus. So Jewish, Samaritan, Christian, and Muslim traditions all associate the well with Jacob. This site had been identified as the place where Jesus held his conversation with the Samaritan woman, and was probably being used for Christian baptisms. And it has since been restored and a new church modeled along the designs of the Crusader era church, houses the well inside of it, in a crypt on a lower level. As well as it has been called “the most authentic of all the Holy Places in Palestine”, it was shown to be about 135 feet deep.

But do you that I have visited it recently and for the first time, because it’s not easy at all to reach there, with all of the checkpoints and blocks at the road, I had to pass through the hardest checkpoint to go there, but it was unbelievable day for me, to visit such as these holy places, even they are in my city! And can’t reach them! I felt like tourists who I went them! Don’t belong to Palestine to see such as these places for the first time! Sad feeling but very proud and happy! It contains amazing garden surrounded the orthodox church while, as well as many icons, mosaic and paintings, and most of the work inside are done by priest who still there which he has built his tomb there, even the tomb special and different, I was shocked when I saw it!

So we continued our discussion about Palestinians Christians..Well, to be Palestinian Christian is something I’m very proud of! And I think every Palestinian feel the same like I do! But the miserable fact that we have reached dead end with our conflict with Israel! The restrict movement we are living, the checkpoints we are facing every day in our way to study and work, and the wall surrounded us like big prison! Which it’s border between the families, and threading the relationship between them..

The immigration of the Palestinians is increasing everyday! They are moving from their lands! The Youth are moving to study and not caring to come back to the tragic situation! We are losing the youth! Losing their education by benefiting it for the rest of the world! Not for their country! How many Christians are leaving every day?! In whole Global you will find Palestinians immigrations! We are decreasing day by day, This is our real life! But anybody caring??!!

As well as these checkpoints and wall have various impact for the Palestinians..We the Palestinians have our own rescue..our hope inside our Olive Trees! But they are preventing us from it too! We can’t reach our lands to pick up our Olives!!
Imagine when we are forbidden to pray at the church! Forbidden to enter Jerusalem! We are living in the Holy land! We are forbidden to be there! Where are our rights as Christians?!! As Palestinians?!! All are taken from us! Injustice!!

But In spite of the problems and tragic we are facing every day! Our HOPE in our hearts! Never give up! We still strong because we all believe in Peace! We know some day we will reach it..we will have it  We are living in HOLY LAND so absolutely we will have it some dayyy….

Far Away from Home!!!!

2010-01-19T02:47:00.000-08:00

Far away from home! From Palestine! From Occupation! From Israelis
Solders! From Checkpoints! Living Freedom Life! Traveling wherever and
whenever I want! Finding everything I need here! Possibilities in my
whole life! Even it’s Complicated and Simple Life! Maybe critical what
I’m saying but that’s the life here!

My heart is holding mixed feelings of living far away from the
conflict area! It’s not that easy to be far while my whole family and
all the Palestinians living in bad situation and I’m here finding
peaceful, freedom, changing life and becoming better day by day as I
think so the opposite of Palestine, while back home every day many
Palestinians arresting, dying, injuring, fighting, struggling for
finding food, for reaching their school or work with the Biggest
Prisons ever which they are the checkpoints and the Wall, houses
destroyed to leave them homeless, trees uprooted…

Do you think I’m happy? Sad? Actually I have good feeling that I’m
lucky to be here, to live in a period time far away from all the
tragic situation, I think everybody deserve period of safe living,
good life even if the person is good or no! We all are equal and
deserve the best! So to be honest I have a feeling of safety, free and
good feeling toward the Norwegian people that some of them are trying
to involve themselves in our conflict with Israel. But can’t say that
I’m so happy, no I always think about my family, friends and all
Palestinians back home, I’m always afraid for them, worry, confused
from the life here and there! Unfair Life! But why people don’t
appreciate their life?! Ok there are some Norwegian feel that, but
all of them are supposed to know and feel the value of their living in
PEACE!!!!! The simple word with many meanings which most of the world
is dreaming of!
What about the jobs here? Everybody has one..that’s so different for me as well! Many Palestinians asking me to find them job here, do you think its better? Well, for me..it’s better and possible but I’m not advising people to come and be an immigrate! We don’t need that! All the Palestinians have to still in their lands!! So, to be honest, where ever I go,, whatever I do here,, happy either sad! I’m proud to be Palestinian, to carry the GREEN ID, even this is the whole case! And our struggle, but still no place like home! No place like Palestine! Even with all the difficulties life there! The best life in Norway maybe, but no place similar to PALESTINE!!!!!! The best ever, with all my respect to Norway 

It’s really easy movement in Norway, when we are going somewhere to
attend festivals or any program; even going home sometimes; I go with
Turid and ask her if she knows the exact time of our arrival! And she
always correct with it! She knows when we will be at our destination, but the problem that we might face it here the weather forecast, nothing else! So this is not a big problem..It’s nothing! Compare with our problems in Palestine, because here no checkpoints, no borders, no soldiers asking us where we are
going and why! What are we carrying in our bags? Bombs? Do we hide
somebody at our car?!! This is the life in Palestine! Do you know what
else, when I went to Tromsø I took with me Palestinians Flag, I
brought it from Y Global! Not from Palestine! I couldn’t carry
anything related to Palestine because the soldiers will stop me and
maybe arrest me because of it! It was really strange feeling for me to
carry Palestinian Flag with me in my bag!!

Do you think it’s easy to live far away from bad situation? No it
still hard know that the violence is still continuing while I’m here,
and all my family and friends are back home!! All the Palestinians!!
Maybe you will laugh at me about what I’m going to say! But actually
it happened to me many times while I’m here and reading, hearing and
watching our news I felt lonely among Norwegians, I belong to the
Palestinians to be like them! To live the tragedy life! And I was
about to cry! I really did! But sure I’m really lucky to be here, but
inside my heart wishing if I’m there, but I know that someday I’m
going back to the bad living! So I think that I have to balance my
life here and back home, keeping on my Palestinians news and be aware
about what’s going on here, to see lose the opportunity to live in
Deluxe life! The Paradox between Palestine and Norway!!

I remember when I was in Tromsø, we were sitting with some friend and
we heard sounds like a bomb! And I was really shocked from this voice
and directly told them:” Oh, please I’m not in Palestine!” Because
here you don’t feel any kind of fear! That’s really strange feeling
for me!

Christmas Time..Family Time..Great Time …People are counting the days
for Christmas…Everywhere in the Global, but not in Palestine!! Why??!!
Not for the Palestinians Children!! Not in The Holy Land!! But we the
Palestinians are waiting for the New Year maybe, because we are
thinking that maybe this year will be a “Peace Year”! Every year the
same!! And still waiting and waiting.. Until when???!!!! ……

Millions and millions of children in the Universe are spending a
pretty and joyful Christmas time…

But the Palestinians do not…

While the children of the World sleep in the hope that the gift of
Santa will be awaiting them the next morning near their beds, our
children sleep with the only hope that the sun of each tomorrow will
rise while they are still alive…

In the time when many children of the world have peaceful dreams of
Santa’s sleigh carrying gifts, sweets and toys, Our children have
nightmares of machine guns that are mounted on the Israeli tanks…

While so many merciful persons remember to send special gifts to many
needy children in this World, our neighbors, the Israelis, did not
forget to send our children a very special and unforgettable gift at
Christmas, a special gift that is consisted of bullets, missiles, and
bombs… a gift to our children whose sense of security has been
unsettled by the night attacks…

Children love Christmas and everything that goes with it …

But here, in our Land, what go with Christmas this year are the
feelings of horror, fear, anxiety, stress, and insecurity…

At this Christmas time, the green Christmas tree hang heavy with
shining lights while people enjoy watching them shining with joy…

As for us, we can only enjoy the glow of tracer bullets in the black
skies as they flew across the valleys…

Children of the world enjoy listening to the sounds of Christmas bells
that are ringing everywhere in the towns…and the children of Palestine
can only listen to the sound of gunshots that echoes overnights…

Children around the World gather together with their families across
the table enjoying a special Christmas meal… But most of our children
still go to sleep hungry…

That’s how we are celebrating Christmas every year…

We’re celebrating it in a completely different manner…

Nevertheless, we are still holding in our hearts a hope…

A real hope that the message of the lord

“Peace on earth & Goodwill towards Humankind …” Christmas is such a
special time of the year…& It merely comes once a year

Will realize in our land & in the whole World…

This holy message of Christmas has become our dream

Which we hope it will, one day, come true…

Our Hope will never disappear!! Never! Never give up! We are always praying..waiting for Peace! And ask all the people to pray for the Palestinians too.. to mention them in their Prayers… to remember that there are many people in all the world still living in miserable life..Special in HOLY LAND!!! In Unfair life!! So please we ask you to be sympathetic with us and special at Christmas Time!! At Jesus Birth Time!!

Trondheim

2009-12-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

Trondheim is a city in Norway. And it was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. It is a Norwegian center of education, technical and medical research.

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, known by its Norwegian acronym NTNU (from Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet), is located in Trondheim. NTNU is the second largest of the seven universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology. In addition to engineering and the natural and physical sciences, the university offers advanced degrees in other academic disciplines ranging from the social sciences, the arts, medicine, architecture and fine art.
NTNU has several campuses in Trondheim, for engineering and sciences, humanities and social sciences as the main two. Other campuses include for marine technology, medicine, archaeology, music conservatory and for the art academy.
NTNU consists of seven faculties with a total of 53 departments. The university has approximately 20,000 students. Academic and administrative staff contributes 4,300 man-labor years of which 2,500 are in education and research. NTNU has more than 100 laboratories and is at any time running some 2,000 research projects.
NTNU welcomes students from all over the world, and has roughly 300 research agreements or exchange programs with 58 institutions worldwide. More than 30 of the master’s programmers are taught in English. PhD programs are open to qualified applicants, and are paid staff positions that give candidates specific workplace rights and benefits under Norwegian law.
NTNU cooperates closely with one of the largest independent research institution in Scandinavia and one of the largest in Europe, and with St. Olavs University Hospital.
NTNU was in 2009 ranked 6th in Europe and 54th in the World in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities , highest of the Norwegian universities.

Nidaros Cathedral was the cathedral of the Norwegian archdiocese, from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537. Since the Reformation, it has been the cathedral of the Lutheran bishops of Trondheim or Nidaros in the Diocese of Nidaros. The architectural style of the cathedral is romanesque and gothic. Historically it was an important destination for pilgrims coming from all of Northern Europe.

Tromsø Visit.. The Wonderful City ever in Norway!!

2009-12-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

It was Dark morning when I just arrived Tromsø Airport on 26/11/09 at 11:00 am.. Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county and the city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population, It is the largest city and the largest urban area in North Norway, Most of Tromsø, including the city centre, is located on the small island of Tromsøya in the county of Troms, 350 kilometres inside the arctic circle. So from this morning my great and special experience has started!

The midnight sun is above the northern horizon from about 18 May to 26 July, although the mountains in the north block the view to the midnight sun a few days, meaning that one can see the sun from about 21 May to 21 July. Due to Tromsø's position near the top of the globe, twilight is longer, meaning there is no real darkness between late April and mid August.

The sun remains below the horizon from about 26 November to 15 January, but due to the mountains the sun is absent from the center from 21 November to 21 January. The return of the sun is an occasion for celebration. Due to the twilight, there is some daylight for a couple of hours even around midwinter, often with beautiful bluish light. The nights shorten quickly, and by 21 February the sun is above the horizon from 07:45 to 16:10, and 1 April from 05:50 to 19:50 (summertime).

Kristen, the kind lady who’s working at KFUK-KFUM since month ago, and she looks that she’s working with them since many years ago!! So anyway she has picked me up from the airport and after an hour from my arriving, I went to an elementary school there and to be exact I have visited 9 grade to tell them about Palestine, so I started to talk with the students with an introduction about me and what I’m doing here, and then I have presented for them about Palestine, include maps and location, geographical, population, general information and the current situation in its political situation and Palestinians daily life and exactly children daily life to let them know and hear about Palestinians children, and how much they are lucky! How the Palestinians life going on at the tragic situation with Israeli soldiers.. how they are struggling to work instead of studying like the rest of the children world, so this is such a small issue to mention because I told them a lot or at least I have tried to effect them, as well as it’s not that easy for them understand !!
Something else was really interesting that they asked me to teach them some Arabic words  and I was really glad from them for asking this, so I did! I have learnt them some important and funny words.

At the afternoon, I went to the host family house where I stayed through my visit, they have welcomed me in best way, I was really happy with them, they are 5 people, the parents who’s the mother Anna is a teacher at the school I visited, while the father Torstein has just stared his studying as social work at the university there after leaving his job. And the oldest daughter is 17 years old studying at high school, while the second one is 15 years and studying at school too, but the youngest son is 12 years old and he’s at school too, this kid is really interesting boy, smart and football player as well  but he’s good in English too! Not every child trying to talk English with me, but he did! As well as he remind me for my little brother Leonardo 10 years old!

Anyway at the evening I went with Torstein to attend seminar by the Norwegian Doctor Mads Gillbert who has been in Gaza during the brutal war to support the humanitarian effort at al-Shifa Hospital during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict, which he’s solidarity worker and a member of the socialist party Red. He is a specialist in anesthesiology and a leader of the emergency medicine department of University Hospital of North Norway, and has been a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Tromsø since 1995. So he has presented about the Current situation in Gaza in different issues, how this war affected by the Palestinians, and how until now nobody is helping and developing! The water issues becoming worst! Many Palestinians still Missing! No Houses! No food! Including some reports and more information and solidarity pictures! And I have got the chance to talk with him, he’s really caring person, positive, encouragement, powerful, you feel with him how he really was affected by Palestinians and by what he has experienced during this tragic war, and caring for human rights, our rights that will day will come and I believe in it, I really do!

The next day, Friday morning I went to visit Tromsø KFUK-KFUM, its nice and comfortable office! And located in the middle if the city.Then we started our tour in the city! In the beginning we went up to mountain called Fløya which mountainlift takes us up to the mountain Storsteinen, located 20 m above the sea. From there we have a magnificent view! It was unbelievable! We could see all Tromsø from there! Cold weather but never mind because we are enjoying! So it was such a nice tour with Kristin as she felt like a tourist with me, going here and there! But we really had fun!
After that we were invited for lunch at Jacoub Place, the secretary at Tromsø KFUK-KFUM, we had good conversation with each other as well as it was nice hosting from him!

Our Touring day of course haven’t finished yet, so we continued by visit Tromsø Museum..Different! Strange! I have never seen something like that! The Museum is the oldest scientific institution in North-Norway. It was established in 1872 and incorporated in the University of Tromsø in 1976. The museum has 80,000-90,000 visitors annually, andconsists of six departments Geology, Botany, Zoology, Archaeology; Cultural History maintains a photo collection of more than 100,000 (historic) pictures and Sámi Ethnography. It was just a new part and knowledge about Norway, and the north exactly! To see how they were living, their traditions, and the Sami People need a chapter to write or talk about, they are one of the indigenous people of northern Europe inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia but also in the border area between south and middle Sweden. Their ancestral lands span an area the size of Sweden in the Nordic countries. The Sami people are among the largest indigenous ethnic groups in Europe. Their traditional languages are the Sami languages, which are classified as members of the Finno-Lappic group of the Uralic language family.

Traditionally, the Sami have plied a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. However, the best known Sami livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding - which about 10% of the Sami are connected with and 2,800 actively involved with full-time. For traditional, environmental, cultural, and political reasons, reindeer herding is legally reserved only for Sami people in certain regions of the Nordic countries.
In our way too, we have got the chance to see the Wonderful church, The Tromsdalen Church which is more commonly known as The Arctic Cathedral, literally "The Cathedral of the Arctic Sea, is a church in Tromsø, Norway, built in 1965. The church is a parish church and not, in fact, a cathedral. And its building materials consist mainly of concrete. Because of the church's distinct look and situation, it has often been called "the opera house of Norway", likening it to the famous Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

Advent Fest Day, it was Saturday at Tromsø Catherdal, which this Cathedral is the only Norwegian cathedral made of wood, and is an example of wooden Gothic revival. It is likely to be the northernmost Protestant cathedral in the world. With 800 seats, it's one of Norway's biggest wooden churches.
The structure was completed in 1861, with Christian Heinrich Grosch as the architect. It was built using a cog joint method. It is situated in the middle of Tromsø on a site where there in all likelihood has been a church since the 13th century.
So the Advent Fest was organized by the Norwegian Church Aid in Tromsø, and held since 17 years old! So there were different children choirs with different Christmas songs as it was the First Saturday of Advent.. Clowns wondering around and making funny activities..The children playing and having fun together and with their parents too..But the special in this festival was the four houses they had..Guatemala House which they played music, Tromsø House which there were Tromsø kids playing, singing together while the clown is celebrating with children and the people there, and then we came to the third house, which it is Hope Land, where there was an man told them a story about Hope and how we have to keep the hope inside our heart whatever the life going on, we need it every day, every minute!! And of course between these activities and houses, the choirs were singing. Then the fourth and last House was my House, Bethlehem House, where Jesus was born, as the clown has played a role of Jesus Birth and then I started by Bible words in Arabic: “ Since Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, The Shepherds from the East came to Jerusalem, saying where’s the King of the Jews. We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him”.
And then I started to talk in English of course, which I talked about the Palestinians Children comparing them with the Global Children and Tromsø Children, as how they are living their life, how they are spending their Christmas with the Israelis, the bombs, gunshots, while the rest of the world spending it as a nice time with families and presents under their Christmas trees!! While the world Children dreaming about their gifts that they have received or they will next morning, while the Palestinians just wishing to still alive until the next morning with the tragic situations that they are living in!!!
It was really wonderful evening at the city with Christmas lights, Christmas Trees and the decorations, and what it continues this evening great is the snow! It was snowing and I was wondering under the snow in the city with my friend.. enjoying and feeling Christmas time while the people are spending their nice time too…
The activities there are not stopping..active with great people at nice time..I have ended this day by participating with “Lys Våken” that means: “Light Awake”.. The idea behind the project is light awake at all Norwegian churches to organize the church overnight, the first advent weekend.

This is inspiring. With all the ideas that pop up from people who have learned how much fun it is with such events. Program packages adapted to the diversified Norwegian Church geography is sent out. Several of the big church children and youth are part of the project and helped with program suggestions and resource materials.
As well as this event held the second year in all Norway, it’s really good opportunity to sleep over at the Church! I think anybody wish to do the same..Anybody would love to experience such like this event, ever body would be proud to live this great opportunity! There were different activities for the kids to do, to try, to share with each other! Singing..Playing..learning…So my role there was that I have learnt the kids Christmas Arabic Song , and let them heard it which this song for one of my favorite Lebanese singer, Fairouz.., it was nice to do that, to share with them my language and my songs in this Christmas time..and the important that they enjoyed it, so I feel satisfied and happy too 
Here the First Sunday of the Advent, I have attended the service at Tromsø Cathedral too, and I have the pleasure to be there. In this day all the Norwegian people start to be ready for Christmas, start to decorate their houses, lighting the first violet candle with Christmas Star in the window that symbol for Christian tradition that revealed the birth of Jesus to wise men.As well as the seven Candles.
So it was nice service at the church, as well as this day was the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians People, I tried to sell some Olive trees to plant them at Palestinians Lands in February, and I did sure! And I have continued this day with my great host Kristen.
But my last task and different experience too was that we went to another evening service at kvaløysletta, and we have met one of Ten Sing Group in Tromsø, which they are the biggest group there and they called: “ Smashing Ten Sing”. They were amazing, they had warm voice, it was nice from them, so I participated in this service by talked about Palestinians children too but in Arabic, as it’s my home language so no need for English, and the priest was translating to Norwegian, sure the people found it strange to talk in Arabic but they were happy and listening to me well and that make me feel proud to do it.
Finally I just would like to say these four days in Tromsø gave me an open-eye in different parts of Norway to see, to experience, to know and learn more, as I felt Tromsø as my home country as Beit Sahour, people there know each other more and have close relationships between each other more! I really like the place there, and I was so lucky to be there! And Thankful for the people who let me participate in different activities they held there.

“Julemarked”…Christmas Market…

2009-11-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

Singing, playing games and quizzes, selling olive wood..and olive trees.. feeling Christmas time, Christmas Spirit although it’s still too early for Christmas  but Norway has started it’s celebration and while I’m here I’m celebrating it with them.. That’s different so anyway it was the Christmas market at Oslo KFUM on Friday 13/11/09 so the program has started with Information from KFUK-KFUK Global then devotion and entertainment by students of the Rønningen folk.

So it was opened an traditional market that people can buy good old traditions, such as jam handmade, stocks, Christmas cooking, but nothing beautiful and great gift as Olive Tree to be a gift, and to keep hope alive in Palestine!! It’s just a simply and one step will mean a lot for Palestinians as to plant thousands years of HOPE!!!How I like to see the people are sponsoring an olive tree and help Palestinians to plant olive trees at their lands as this year it will be in February, so hope we will be able to sell more to help us the Palestinians…so let's plant HOPE...

"KEEP HOPE ALIVE"
Olive trees are an important source of food and income in the occupied Palestinian territories. An average tree provides annual nine kilograms olives, equivalent to two liters of oil, which is used for food, production of medicines and soap. And the most important is that can live for over a thousand years.

Olive Tree Campaign aims to plant 50 000 trees. By purchasing an olive tree display of solidarity with the Palestinians that the occupation will be deprived of land and olive trees, and thus the livelihoods. For the Palestinians is the olive tree is an important cultural symbol, and is partly for connection to the earth, justice and peace.

And not to forget the Unbelievable Global Concert..Adoramus, Young Adult Drammen Choir and Major Choir..They were amazing..fantastic Choirs as I’m in Drammen Choir, and I really like it..so all the choirs have sang, and at the end all choirs together with one Great Christmas Song ,, I’m feeling sorry for anyone who has missed such this amazing and warm voice from all the Choirs together…how nice it was..Wonderful!!!

During the choirs we have had simply Global Quiz that was organized by some members of ICY” International Committee Youth”. ..
So this day has passed as a new, different and great experience with all the young and adults who have been there, talking..laughing..enjoying their time..gathering and even meeting new people..new friends..

Kongsberg Church...

2009-11-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

Wonderful..Old ..Huge and Church..Kongsberg Church which was inaugurated in 1761and It has an austere red brick exterior, but a richly decorated baroque interior, as well as it remains one of the largest in Norway with a seating capacity of 2,400.
The church's original baroque-era pipe organ, made by renowned German organ builder Gottfried Heinrich Gloger in 1760–65, was fully restored by Jürgen Ahrend in 1999–2000 and reopened to great fanfare in January 2001. With its 42 voices, it is the largest baroque organ in Scandinavia. At the end of January each year, the Gloger Music Festival now draws a select crowd of artists and music lovers from all over the world.

So I have attended evening service at this church on Sunday 15/11/09..praying with nice songs..lighting candle and hearing Kongsberg Ten Sing..It was such a nice and simply service. And we have continued this evening by invitation from Elizabeth, the boss of Buskerud KFUK-KFUM at her place, they were adult people, some of them are members with KFUK-KFUM and some friends from different parts of Norway, they gathered together, laughing, having fun with each other, talking about different issues.. work..jokes.. memories days…asking me about Palestine and Norway and sharing opinions and listening to each other. They were kind and nice people really! The host people were amazing too.. it was great hospitality from Elizabeth and her husband.. They are great family! So I think it was good gathering from while to while as I felt that for them.
And the nice talking that I have had with Turid while our driving to Kongsberg and coming back, it was helpful, encourage, useful and great discussion about my life back home, and getting more information from her about her life as well, Norwegian life and KFUK-KFUM.

Angels Day…

2009-11-15T04:45:00.000-08:00

Working with the glass, making beautiful angels in different shapes, kinds and colors and loving it while meeting new women’s, discussing, sharing, laughing with each other, women’s working together at the same interest, imagine how the atmosphere will be!!.. with love, comfortable, happiness and nice talking… It was interesting and great day that I have spent with 15 women’s from different parts of Norway who have came to work with stained glass on Saturday 14/11/09 at Buskerud KFUK-KFUM …
As well as this day was for Bangladesh and Palestine during the working, we have talked about both, and they were great how they support Bangladesh by buying from the Bangla Shop, and sure getting more information and discussion about the situation about my lovely country Palestine…asking and sharing in different issues!! But what’s a great chance to make such this day while I’m here and this work part of my life, as it’s my mom work! And her whole life is Glass working! And how the bad situation in Palestine effects at mom works with bad tourism so no tourists to sell for. So it was useful day to talk and work with glass and benefit from each other, but…wish if my mom was here to be with them instead of me! But I have enjoyed this day for me and her…
It’s not that easy work how to cut the glass and make such nice shape, but really the women’s have made beautiful and amazing angels, it seems that they know this kind of work since years ago, but no! Some of them it was the first time they do it and they were professional!! I feel that if they can still more and work they will! They don’t care.. they are loving making angels, enjoying time, having fun, encouraging each other and setting together, and I agree with them…I really do!!
At the end.. all of them have made many angels and took with them at their homes… how nice and great to hang your work in your homes or at your Christmas tree, something you have make it and be proud if it!

Some funny pictures from the shows at Ten Sing Festival which were organized by Bangla Group who has been in Bangladesh before 2 months ago..

2009-11-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

Day at Hamar

2009-11-09T01:29:00.002-08:00

Hamar, in the eastern central of Norway, enjoying my trip in my way to Hamar at the train while the travelers were sleeping, can’t describe the amazing, beautiful nature.. They look like paintings, but God's paintings…

Sunday 08/11 was Hamar Day as me and Tanya went to Hamar KFUK-KFUM which was gathering party for the branch there, and we have got the chance to visit them and participate in their party as we have presented about Y Global, GoCY and African Alliance..

Actually there wasn't many people there, there was around 15 people young and adults, but we have had fun with them, playing games, singing and meeting new kind people, it was luck chance, but we haven't that much of time to visit the city well, but we walked around and this city has the biggest lake in whole Norway.

As well as Hamar has a surprising numbers of attractions, so hope will get the chance and visit some of them..

Working in Conflict Areas

2009-11-09T01:29:00.001-08:00

We have ended October month and started November month from 31/10 - 01/11 me, Tanya and Husam with some people from different parts of Norway, as well as different countries who have participated in "Working in conflict Areas" Course who has held by Foreste, Norges Fredslag in Oslo, and it is an Academy for Peace Building - is a project run by Norway's Fred Battles that will provide a continuing education for all who want to work in or with conflict. So we started the day of 31/10 by getting to know each other with some groups and games, and we started the serious :) as the trainer has gave us introduction about the Conflict in simply and interesting ways..that the conflict is a reality and exists in all levels of society. But conflict can be defined in different ways, so as academic it is a struggle between two or more tendencies of action that are either contrary or in the same direction but mutually exclusive.
And the violence definition as the Norwegian political scientist and peace researcher John Galtung, that the violence happens to human beings and between human between human beings, and it can be touched body or soul, and is connected to avoidable influences.
But about the causes of conflict, there are many reasons, so some of them like interests and needs, feeling and emotions, role and relationship problems, lack of information, problems of communications and different of values.
And we have heard about Nonviolence Peaceforce, it is Nonviolent Peaceforce is an international organization that provides civilian protection and support. NP, which is not an advocacy organization, only works on a nonpartisan basis at the invitation of local entities. Working in Sri Lanka since 2003, NP works with the government of Sri Lanka as well as a variety of civil society organizations.
As well as The Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) Presentation and this program seeks to support local and international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and bring a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a just peace, based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
And the next day was a lot of work which we have worked as groups for stimulation of kids international, which this stimulation is to give us the opportunity to understand the sensitivities of working in a post-conflict context, and develop creative thinking around tackling serious subjects.
So honesty it was really hard to do this stimulation, different work, but it was to demonstrate the applications of some practical skills that I have mentioned.
I think this course was essential, different work but helpful and a lot of information in short period, so it was important for me to know more about conflict from different people and resources.

Ten Sing Festival....

2009-11-09T01:29:00.000-08:00

Dancing, singing, playing games, drama, gathering, learning and experiencing more and more,,,
What's an amazing, interesting, great days that I have spent with Ten Sing Festival which was organized by Buskerud KDUK-KFUM with around 250 participants from different ages... It was from 06/11 - 08/11 at Vikersund which it is the municipality capital of Modum, Buskerud. But actually I spent two days with them, so the first day was an amazing concert for all the participants...
But the second day, was unbelievable day really! There was a lot of activites, songs, having fun, gathering, learning and training..
So we, the leaders have started the day by doing differents posts for the participants, games, motivation and challenges activities, so it was well organized, everybody got involved and were satisfied with all of posts..

In the evening of this day we have made Solidarity Market with a support for Bangladesh as Buskerud KFUK-KFUM partnership with them, so it was great market with different activities, such as making pop corn, painting cards, painting by henna and here I come, I was writing the participants names in Arabic with henna, it was different thing to do, they liked it and were happy, and I felt happy too.. it was an special idea to do!

And we continue this evening by opening scene for the participants which were individual singing and dancing..choirs..jokes...interesting shows..

ICY and Changemaker....Interesting Networks...

2009-11-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

ICY – “International Committee Youth” and its network to make the world better! IT takes hold in global issues through local involvement, by challenging young people to take responsibility, and develop relationships. As well as this group are in different countries: Norway, Kenya and Sri Lanka. And there is Middle East Committee which this committee is talking about conflicts in different ways in the entire world and I have been in their meetings both of them, so hope I will join and keep on with them to know, learn and share with them, as well as I’m one who’s living in a horrible conflict.

“Changemaker” Organization and the members are young people between 13 and 30 who wish to change the causes of poverty and injustice. They have members all over Norway, and sister movements in other countries.
So they wanted to show that it is urgent to make the words into action. At Town Hall Square in Oslo they collected in nearly 400 signatures in the rain on Sunday, and I have been with them as well. Norway, which is one of the worlds largest arms exporters, exporting weapons without ensuring that Norwegian arms and ammunition are not put in areas of war or conflict, or where serious human rights violations taking place. There is a big problem that weapon fall into the wrong hands and thus prolong and aggravate the conflicts and take innocent lives.
During the hours Changemaker action had gathered in just under 400 signatures. Those who have not collected signatures, plastered a big weapon as they sang songs weapons. With great effort from the young people from different parts in Norway, was a successful action in spite of bad weather.

Norway ,,, in some words..

2009-10-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Norway.. Peaceful ...Freedom..Healthy Life!!! Cold weather .. Amazing nature,, nice and educational people…But complicated life!!!

Oh..The voice of the sea with the wind at night… it’s amazing.. How nice..I was drinking a cup of tea at the shore in one of the weekend at Leadership training.. I liked it a lot…I think it is the best cup of tea ever.

So I’m in Norway, Drammen from the beginning of September and will still here until May with goCY intern, exchange program with YMCA-YWCA , and I have seen and experienced a lot even it’s not long period passed..

The activities which held and organized by KFUK – KFUM such as the challenge courses, young –adult, confirmation courses and weekends, and choirs. This is great!! And I’m happy that I’m working with them, as well as this is helping me to develop myself, my talents and my knowledge also this is one of my motivations. So Every time I see, heard something new about them, I didn’t know that all of this interest for the young and adults.. As I see here, that what we are missing of in Palestine, sure we care about youth and have many centers to join and YMCA-YWCA is the first one.. but still different, how can I say?! But I think that the difference between Norway and Palestine are the needs for the young and adults, so that make the responsible people of replying at their needs more easy and they can concentrate exactly at their needs by doing many programs, festivals, camps and courses …Just such a Great Job for Buskerud KFUK – KFUM …But in Palestine all we need is to be in safe, live in peace, even meet and hang out together that will be the best thing.. So our mind is how we can protect ourselves from the Israeli, how we can achieve our food to live, how we will reach our schools and universities to study with all of the Checkpoints, wall and settlements where ever we go.

As well as one of the most important roles in Norway that makes them can answer their needs and demands refers to the economic situation, which allows them to focus in their need and do what they can to help them!! And of course they have the time to think about all of this..and the place where they can do it, where they can camp, learn and even play…because that is not easy to find in Palestine..So I’m really happy that I’m experiencing this, and interesting and looking forward to learn and know more and more about KFUK-KFUM and don’t forget to say about the great young and adult people who I met and every day I meet, they are playing one the most important role for my daily life here.

Actually I’m glad that I’m living among people who know a lot what’s going in Palestine, and they are interesting in our life. Ok, all the globe know about the Israeli – Palestinian conflict, but not every country are trying to be part of the solution and doing the best for Peace, so Norway one of them who’s trying to involve as this word is carries from its meaning.

One of the norwegian interest towards the palestinians are the Norwegians Doctors who have been in Gaza in The brutal war which lasted from the winter of 2008 / 2009 and the book they wrote “Eyes on Gaza” about how they lived this period at the hospital and they have seen what was happening in their eyes. So I’m really glad that I’m living in City which they are interesting in Palestine and care about us, as well as many incidents going on here related to Palestine, like demonstrations and projects.

Challenge Course at Uvdal Resort, and this course is held in this place every week end for specified period with different regio in Norway, so this is the beginning of the confirmations, then they continue their confirmations with the priest and the leaders at their congregation house, so I have seen their activities and trying to learn from them and maybe that will benefit and help us back home.

Buskerud KFUK-KFUM are partnership with Bangladesh since 1993 and they do many programs to help and support them as well as they sell the women work in Bangladesh here so this year they make special day for Bangladesh and collect money for them by going to the Norwegian houses and knock their doors and ask for support Bangladesh to build school there, so Bangladesh has already started to build the school when they start to suppose them, so this year they collected for the 4 floor of the school so hope they will continue and finish it. And the money collection was by the help of 100 students and some of their parents and of course the responsible for this program, and I was one of them, honesty I didn’t want that form the beginning because I’m Palestinian and collect money for another country??!! That’s not good.. but I know that they need that as we need, every country has it’s need, but because I felt that I have to do this and experience such as different thing!!And sure I’m happy to help another country if I can do that. As well as they did another day to support Bangladesh, so they make a Young-Adult Choir at Church with Bangla shop, so any one who can buy and support Bangladesh and it was great and we collect great amount for them.

"Young-Adult Weekend" at Knattholmen

It was wonderful week end that we have had, Husam, Tanya and me at Knattholmen Island where it was Young-adult week end, and they held it every year, so we were lucky that we attended it as me, husam and Tanya did small seminar about Palestine and Kenya. It was kind of difficult to understand everything going on because of the language, but there were translations people for us, and I’m thankful for them. And the seminars we have had there were about how we can cooperate with youth in different situations and demands, as well as we discussed the Bible.

Now, what was more interesting I have done?! We had a Global Day in Ronningen and it was just a new thing I tried, because this day was about YMCA – YWCA, Y Global, goCY, and it was simple and great seminar about them and promotion about Olive Tree Campaign, Journey for Justice and International Committee Youth (ICY). As well as the program was such as 4 different posts, and each group was changing the posts, so for me, we did an Israeli checkpoint and let the students pass through it, to know, experience and learn how the Palestinians feel when they pass through it every day and many times in a day, and then we discussed about the Palestinians daily life with the checkpoints. That was one of the posts, but the rest of them were one for YWCA in Kenya, other was about ICY, youth and peace and the last one was Handicapped Bandy.

Wednesday 14/10/2009 I had dinner at Palestinian restaurant in Oslo with my Norwegian friend, Palestinian bishop “Dr. Naim Ateek” from Jerusalem and another Norwegian man he is the leader of Friends of Sabeel in Norway, actually we have met them there by chance and it was great chance! So all of us have been there because we had a seminar at Nobel Institute under the name “Palestinian Christians Cry for Reconciliation and a just Peace”, which was organized by the leader of Friends of Sabeel in Norway, and the bishop had seminar about Sabeel, and talked about Palestinian Kairos Document and its motivation and process. Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians. Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, to promote unity among them toward social action. Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on love, justice, peace, nonviolence, liberation and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. The word "Sabeel" is Arabic for ‘the way‘and also a ‘channel‘or ‘spring‘of life-giving water.
And also we have heard about South African Kairos Document, the recent decisions from Church of Norway and Norwegian Church Aid’s commitments in the Middle East. So it was interesting to hear and sure I was very happy that I met Dr. Naim.

Everywhere I go see the dogs with the people and taking care with them by going to the park and feeding them the expensive and special food for them! Actually this is such a new for me to see that, but what the shocked is some people asking me: do you have dog? And I replied sure I don’t have, in Palestine it’s enough for the Palestinians to feed their children not to have dogs and any other animals, even the dogs food are more expensive than ours, and the people here of course don’t care about that, because is Norway is rich country, but some people are know how to spend their money in different and essentials ways. So I as see, Norway is one of the support and helping for some countries, such as Palestine, Kenya, Bangladesh, and many countries.

Barnefestival ”Kids Festival” …Fun, singing, dancing, activities, games and spending more time with families. It was on 23.10.09 – 25.10.09 at Knattholmen who everybody has had fun, learn, play and meeting each other. It was around 350 kids with some parents and leaders which this festival has organized by some branches of KFUK-KFUM for the same regions who organized it. The Bangla and Kenya shops were one of the programs there, so it’s kind of helping Bangladesh and Kenya by buying and support them.

I like singing with the choir I have joined “Drammen Young-Adult Choir”.. we are having great time together every Wednesday, singing, laughing and meeting each others. And the Norwegian course which I’m attending in two days a week became better day by day, sometimes I feel hard of learning this language, but most of the time I’m enjoying and loving it really! So here is the big and the worst problem for me wherever I go, the language, people around me are starting to talk Norwegian and I feel that what I’m doing here among all them, it’s really hard and bad! Wish to learn the language like a magic to understand every word from the Norwegian people, to feel like I’m not stranger here, but sure that won’t change!

Far away from the occupation?!! Bad or good feelings?! The most important different is the freedom movement between the places, for example when I leave my home to the office, I know when I will arrive the office, I know the exact time, moving without crossing any borders and checkpoints, without soldieries stopping us and asking many questions or arresting the Palestinians, such as the Palestinian man “Mohamad Otthman” who has arrested by the Israeli soldieries in his way coming back from Norway to Palestine, and he is an active person working with Stop the wall Organization. So in Palestine we never know when we will be at the school or work with the checkpoints and the wall which are surrounding us from all the directions!!!!!!! But still feel like I’m living in Palestine, because everyday I’m hearing the news from my family, reading the news, sure feeling bad about everything bad going on there, but I can say that I’m lucky now to live here.

Ten Sing..The greatest youth work! Leadership training with activities of choir, drama, dance and of course team building and personal development. So I got the chance to attend one of Ten Sing Norway Concert in Rønningen, which was the best concert, they were really fantastic!