Sunday, 08 March 2009

The Haj

The Haj.jpgBe warned, this book may ignite racial discrimination.

The story is about Haj Ibrahim al Soukori al Wahhabi, a Muslim tribe leader living in Aqbat Jabar in the Palestine, who was caught in a conundrum between his ancient Arab roots and the Jews.

It covers what happened in Palestine before, during and after the declaration of the State of Israel. It's not a hardcore historical book. It's fiction. Think of Noli Me Tangere. It's like that. Maybe more.

The Arabs do not acknowledge the State of Israel and treats the Jews as the infidels of the infidels. They believe they have been deprived of their rightful place, the Palestine. But the Jews are, and will always be, hospitable to them. The Arabs refuse to believe that. Any Muslim Arab who will acknowledge the kindness of the Jews will be treated as traitor.

Also, the neighbouring Arab nations of Israel refuse to let the Palestinian refugees settle or live in their countries. They want the world to see how "badly" these refugees are treated. They want the sympathy of the world. They want the Arabs' hatred to the Jews keep on burning.

When the refugees were offered with help, especially from the U.N., they took advantage of it. They did nothing to help and improve their communities, or so called refugee camps. They love to hate the Jews.


I'm still in touched with the book. That's no opinion. It did annoy me that I could almost loathe such foolishness of the Arabs (in the book), which might be projected to the real Arabs. I could've hated the Arabs and Muslims for this, but there's a greater "force" in this, which they are victims. And I know reasonable Muslims, one of them is my godmother. I refuse to hate.



Humanity was the last thing of the minds of the Syrians and Egyptians.
Perpetuation of hatred was the first, and in that they have succeeded.

--Haj Ibrahim


However, no revolution has ever come from the Arab people, only coups, holy wars and assassinations.
--Gideon Asch, Jewish friend of Haj Ibrahim


Teamwork requires trust. There is no trust among us.
We pride in ourselves on our potency. In truth, we are impotent.

--Haj Ibrahim




This may not be a book for entertainment, but it's a good book if you want to "see" and "know" what is happening between the Jews and the Arabs. There is truth in this book.


It's quite complicated so I'll just insert this link.