Ramadan Under the Rubble - Media Review Network

Pic – Creator: Mahmoud Issa

Credit: REUTERS

By Hassen Lorgat

Palestine, in the West Bank, the smokes of genocide fills the sky
Its Gaza all over again

During the holy month of Ramadan
One expects to be tested
Even by the false gods
living in a glass (White) House(s)
Whilst their stormtroopers
ramp up their campaign of starvation

Starvation is genocide
war by other means
When fasting contests starvation
No one wins
But we witness
We watch how Lord Balfour’s supporters and the band of colonisers
snuggle to help Ukrainians ignoring the gaping wound
skewing the scales of global justice
Is there a morsel of mercy and justice left for Gaza/ the West Bank/ for Palestine?

In the holiest of months, Ramadan
When the holy Quran was revealed to the holy prophet..
In this month, we hold our breath that the Arab League would hold the line
Gaza will not become the playground casino at the beach for the tycoons

The muezzin’s call reminds us
That we have a date with destiny and to break the fast
The little to share, does its rounds
Molokhia, rice, some bread or whatever is around
For the lucky few, musakhan was on the menu
But for many, this taste remains a yearning memory…

After late night prayers in a hastily reconstructed masjid
The cries from the bowls keeps sleep on its toes
Whilst a frail mother wails herself to sleep

All we ask for is to fast, reflect, and pray,
All we hope for is that the people remain steadfast
For a just peace, not just any peace.
The people and the rubble
The rubble and the people
The skies are clearer now
the stars carry messages of hope
flickering , rubble, trouble, hope

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Hassen Lorgat

Has worked in trade union movement, civic associations, and anti apartheid sports movement led by the South African Council on Sports (SACOS) as well as NGOs for the past while. He has worked with civil society groups opposing harmful and exploitative mining and extractivism. Hassen is active with the SA BDS Coalition.