The Hijabi's note

A boy named Jamal.

Little Jamal is just six years old. He loves his town so much. They live in a flat right in the heart of the city.

Ramallah , his pride. His home. It was the only place he knew. The place he was born and grew up.

They were not rich but Alhamdullilah they had enough. His brother loved to play soccer. His sister had a doll house. He had his own computer; well not really his since he had to share with his siblings. He loved playing video games. The arcade that used to steal most of his time was destroyed by the Israeli settlers. They built big houses. Beautiful houses. They destroyed his little paradise to make theirs. He was just eight then. Barely understood a thing.

When the curfews started and the electricity were cut, he didn't quite understand what was happening then. He was just a kid. His computer wasn't working anymore so he couldn't play his games. Mama said no going outside.

"But why Mama?" He asked innocently. His mother ignored him.

Now Jamal is older. He is ten. His classmate Salim is on a wheelchair.

"What happened to him?" He asks one of his friends.

"He got shot at the check point on his way to Jerusalem. His older brother died that day." His friend replied before the teacher shouted at them to stop talking in class.

Jamal feels suddenly angry. Growing up in Ramallah has taught him so much. While his age mates all over the world were learning new games and trying out crazy outfits, Jamal was forced to see his friends getting hurt. He is forced to watch his mother cry and on some occasions (though rarely happens) he is forced to watch his father breaking down.

"Ya Allah! If this land is rightfully ours, how come we are being tortured?" He sometimes finds himself questioning the creator.

"Sabr (Patience)." His father would say. "That's all that we need to have."

At 14 years old and Jamal is angrier than ever. Three of his classmates were arrested for throwing stones at armed settlers. No one has heard from them. Kassim was 11, Farhad was 16 and Michael (a Christian boy) was 13. Their families never heard from them.

Jamal is now 17. A handsome lad. He has a crush on the girl next door. She is always smiling. Everyday he runs to help her get to her house. She can't walk. Her old house was blown up. Poor girl was inside when it fell to pieces. A huge rock fell on her right limb. They had to amputate it. She is strong and the fact that she is always smiling despite of her half burnt face makes Jamal like her even more. He has never told her though. He told his old man he will marry her one day.

It's on a Friday. Jum'aa, the most beautiful day of the week. He freshens up and meets up with his friends.

"Let's go and pray in Al-Aqsa." One of them suggests. They still have time. They will make it.

The first check point. Jamal is too excited to get annoyed as one of the officers throws him a dirty look. They have a dog sniffing and spitting on their ride. Jamal is trying not to get mad. The dog barks at his face.
He is still not intimidate.

Another check point. Their is another car in front of them. Their is an old man and three women inside. Probably his daughters and wife. The same annoying process.

"Bloody Israelites!" He curses under his breath. They are told to get out for a physical check. Even the car in front of them are ordered out.

Jamal Is not concentrating as the officer ransacked his pockets. He was busy observing the old man and his family. He was so old. He probably can't even defend them. Poor old man.

One of the men walk towards the ladies. He wants to conduct the search. It's not right. Don't they have women in their forces? Jamal is getting angry.

The man is touching the youngest of the ladies. His hand is on her waist. She looks at her old frail father. He looks down. Jamal now sees a drop of tear falling from the old mans eye. He is so mad now. The man makes it look like he is just doing his job. Of course he doesn't have any interest in her. He just wants to provoke Jamal's squad.

He turns around and whispers something to his colleague. They laugh together. And that did it. Jamal was too mad to hold back. He didn't even realize when he did it. The mans was struggling to push him off but Jamal is stronger than him. He pulls out his gun and fires.

Jamal is no more. His friends run to his side but they are fired at. The ladies let out a cry but one of the officers point a gun at them to shut them up.

Two of the guys were arrested. Jamal and another one died.

As-salaam Alaykum. I wanna make it clear that this story is purely fiction but by Allah we all know a lot of Palestinians can relate to it. We should remember them in our prayers.
Maasalam. 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸