These Are Palestinian Children

These Are Palestinian Children

Come, let us also pray that this convoy reaches safely and that all the children receive food

One evening, Mominah was watching cartoons on television. Suddenly, the cartoon ended and a news bulletin began. In the news, a small girl appeared. Her clothes were torn, and she was holding an empty plate in her hands. Crying, she was saying, “I am hungry, but there is nothing to eat.”

Mominah’s eyes remained wide open in shock. “Ammi! Who are these children? Why are they crying?”

Her mother came and sat beside her, took a deep breath, and said, “My child, these are the children of Palestine. Their homes have been attacked, and the routes for food and supplies have been blocked.”

Mominah’s heart trembled. Restlessly she said, “Ammi! Why doesn’t anyone help them? Why is everyone silent?”

Her mother gently replied, “My child, people are not silent. Actually, Israel has imposed a strict blockade there. No one can easily reach Gaza. That is why it seems as if everyone is silent.”

Mominah became worried. “Ammi! Then who will help those children? Will they die like this?”

Her mother placed a hand on her head and said, “No, my child. Compassionate and brave people around the world have found a solution.”

“They have formed a ‘Global Sumud Flotilla.’ This convoy is traveling by sea so that food and medicines can be delivered to the children of Gaza.”

A glow appeared on Mominah’s face. “Ammi! Is this convoy going from Karachi?”

Her mother smiled and then said, “No, dear, it is not going from Karachi. It has departed from Italy.”

Mominah immediately asked, “Ammi! Why not from Karachi? We are closer, aren’t we?”

Her mother gently held her hand and said, “My child, the journey from Karachi to Gaza is very long. Ships would take many days. Compared to that, the route from Italy to Gaza is shorter and closer, which is why it has departed from there.”

Mominah asked with even more curiosity, “Ammi! Then how far is Gaza from Karachi?”

Her mother picked up a large world map from the corner of the room and spread it out in front of Mominah. “Look, this is Pakistan… this is the city of Karachi… and this is Gaza… see how vast the sea lies in between. And look, this is Italy. From here the route is shorter and closer. That is why the convoy has departed from Italy.”

Tracing her finger across the map, her mother said, “My child, if this journey were to begin from Karachi, first there is the sea called the Arabian Sea—this is our Karachi’s sea. Then it reaches near Yemen, which is called the Gulf of Aden. After that comes a narrow gateway called Bab al-Mandab, through which ships pass into the Red Sea. Then they move ahead into the Mediterranean Sea, and finally reach the coast of Gaza. See how long this journey becomes. That is why going from Italy is easier.”

Mominah kept looking at the map in amazement. Then softly she asked, “Ammi! Are people from Pakistan also part of this convoy?”

Her mother nodded happily. “Yes, my child, brave people from Pakistan are also included. Among them is Mushtaq Ahmed, who is a pride of our country.”

Mominah immediately asked, “Ammi! Who is Mushtaq Ahmed?”

Her mother smiled and explained, “My child, he is a fearless and compassionate person. He helps the poor and the needy. He sacrifices his own comfort and peace for others. And now he is risking his life to deliver food and medicines to the children of Gaza.”

Tears filled Mominah’s eyes. She folded her small hands and said, “Ammi, come, let us also pray that this convoy reaches safely and that all the children receive food.”

Her mother kissed her forehead and said, “Yes, my child, prayer is the greatest power.”

Then both mother and daughter closed their eyes and prayed. Outside, stars began to shine in the evening sky, as if they too were guardians of this journey.