 With the Jahalin Bedouin, 1990s |
The Jahalin Bedouin
The Jahalin Bedouin don't have land. They came from Saudi Arabia to the south of the country, to the desert, to Beersheva, and later to Jericho, and around Palestine. The land they are on, they held it for one hundred years, but now they don't have any proof they own the land. That's what makes it ugly, when the Jews talk about kicking them off the land.
But eventually the Israelis took care of them, and they're still taking care of them, and now they're building houses, but that's not the style of the Bedouin. They are nomads.
I have been helping to bring clothes and food, and they asked for help to bring electricity. The Israelis give them free water. The Israelis help the Bedouin in some ways, but they want to take them away from places where there are army camps or around the settlements.
The Bedouin are also closed in by the wall. They are on the other side of the wall from us, in the Mount of Olives. So I cannot easily go and visit them now.
In Namaste Magazine, Pam Perry wrote:
Among Ibrahim's many unofficial initiatives is care for the several hundred Bedouin stranded on a bare, dusty inhospitable hillside sandwiched between a new & opulent Jewish settlement and an established Palestinian community - 'no-man's land' without power or adequate facilities and used as a political tool by the authorities.
This is one of the saddest and most pitiful places in the world. Many of Ibrahim's visitors have had the privilege of visiting these special people and have been moved beyond words – to even the most experienced it is perhaps the worst plight they have ever witnessed.
These proud and elegant people live in circumstances that are shocking and shaming. The children have no school and very few possessions and when Ibrahim speaks of them his pain is obvious.
Just before Christmas 2003 Ibrahim sent out an email asking for funds to help him fulfil his dream of helping the Bedouin children, this is what he wrote:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All My Friends in the World!
December 24th is my birthday and I will be 60 years old. On this day I have the best gift and blessing, as I have lots of friends. On Christmas day perhaps we will have snow and the country will be painted white. As we know that water is holy and very much needed here in the country, God will answer our prayers at the end of this year.
I have written to many of you about the work that I am doing, especially with the Jahalin Bedouin Clan. The project is bringing electricity to a people who have been without this basic need. I am asking everyone who is able to give us financial support for this project in order to bring new light in the coming year to the Bedouin camp. I hope in the future we will have excess funds enough to build a school for the children.
Sadly to date there has been little response to this request – something that Ibrahim cannot understand. He was brought up to love and give and his heart is huge and boundless. He says he is just one small man but many of those who have met him say that he's a saint, others refer to him as ‘Father Theresa'. I have been supporting his efforts for some time now and have found him the most appreciative, humble and affirming man that I have ever worked with.