Shamshad Khan

Poet, Resilience & Success Coach

Palestine – flying the kite of humanity

Please see below links to charities that do humanitarian work in Palestine and beyond.

These have been recommended to me and/or have been set up by highly recommended friends. There are many more that can be found online. Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org.uk/issues/crisis-gaza-israel may be of interest too.

https://www.map.org.uk/

https://www.restlessbeings.org/

I would like to share the words of poet and educator, Refaat Alareer

Refaat asked for the poem to be shared- should he be killed by the Israeli army
I share it with love, light and the hope that it was written with. May the kite of his spirit fly forever higher – as we tell his story

“If I must die

you must live

to tell my story

to sell my things

to buy a piece of cloth and some strings,

(make it white with a long tail) so that a child, somewhere in Gaza

while looking heaven in the eye

awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—

and bid no one farewell

not even to his flesh,

not even to himself—

sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above

and thinks for a moment an angel is there

bringing back love

If I must die

let it bring hope

let it be a tale”

And to finish with loving memory of another inspirational poet, who died this December 2023

Benjamin Zephaniah: documenter and promoter of Palestinian rights, published “Rastatime in Palestine” Shakti press 1990

“I’ve cried a lot lately” … from Benjamin Zephaniah’s blog on his website. some years ago…

…”and the Palestinian people still living under a brutal occupation that just seems to be getting worse, we should be taking to the streets. It’s the least we can do. The so called ‘international community’ are doing very little…

Anyone who works in these areas, paid or volunteering, knows that we are heading into dark and difficult times, but verily I say unto you, don’t get disillusioned and downhearted, don’t feel overpowered and defeated. Do what you can. Do the little, (or the big), things that make a difference you can see. The tangible stuff. Or take to the streets to do something for the future. Do anything. Just don’t give up. Don’t let them grind you down. Rise up all ye sisters and brothers who know better. Stand firm in the downturn.”

Benjamin Zephaniah