Every once in too short a while, thanks to our dear "peace loving" friends around the world, my usually petty worries are replaced by real genuine depression.
Yes, I'm referring to the attack on the Gaza aid flotilla.
Okay first of all, I refuse to call it a flotilla. Because in the actual sense of the word, a flotilla is a fleet of armed ships when this one was clearly on an aid mission that consisted of civilians, not soldiers or fighters.
These people on board were journalists and representatives of Non Government Organisations from over 40 countries. They were not fighters. I repeat. They were not fighters. Something that really caught my attention was the defending statement from Israel that I read on several websites:
" Israel defended its actions, saying its soldiers were ambushed with knives and metal bars — as well as handguns wrested from the commandos."
Do you see it? Can you picture it? On one side are completely armed Commandos while on the other are harmless civilians fighting for their lives and honour with mere knives and metal bars? The chaos that would've ensued makes me shudder.
My heart goes out to each and every one of these people and their families, but mostly for our own journalist Syed Talat Hussain and his producer Raza Agha who are still missing. It's devastating to realize that this feeling that I get whenever I think of them must be a constant companion to their family members. May they return safe and unharmed (Ameen).
Doesn't this scenario remind you of something? A journalist, one who has a family, travelling to another country as part of his job. Being captured by terrorists. Now missing.
Daniel Pearl.
How is this any different than what happened to him? God forbid our journalists face the same end will there be anyone interested in making a movie? Jolie? Are you up for the role of Talat's wife? No? I thought so.
All I can say in conclusion is that I hope the 600+ who have been captured safely return to their loved ones. May the shuhada rest in peace. And may this scenario end out in peace. But if this turns into a war, I hope my leaders know which side we are supposed to be on.
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