Open day held to remind people of Palestinian children

Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com

Open day held to remind people of Palestinian children

Posted in: News Varieties
Written By: Fares Anam
Article Date: Apr 5, 2008 - 1:52:29 AM

Palestinian Ambassador (middle) sits with school principal (right) during “Day of Land.”

The Palestinian cause is very close to the hearts of Yemenis, as Yemenis show unlimited support and sympathy towards Palestinians and follow closely all that happens there. The most recent example of this close link was the initiative proposed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh to help settle the dispute between the Hamas and Fatah factions.

Last week, Yemen celebrated “the Day of Land”, commemorating the Palestinian homeland and open charity day was held at the New School in Sana’a with all revenues going to help Palestinian children. Children from the school performed both Yemeni and Palestinian songs and dances, showing the deep cultural bond between the two countries.

“The bazaar is a reminder for all people that the Palestinian issue concerns all of us, especially in these difficult times,” said Majda al-Haddad, the manager of the New School. He added that the organizers wished to lend moral support on the basis of what is happening to Palestine and her children, who are being subjected to killings and intimidation. “We tried to gather material assistance for the children of Palestine to help support their lives,” al-Haddad said. “We received assistance for the bazaar from many companies but so far we have had no material assistance for the children of Palestine until now.”

Nour Mo’een al-Najar, a Palestinian student at the New School, said that the objective of the bazaar is that Palestinian children, both outside and inside the country, are offered heartfelt support, especially to the affected children, and do not forget that they are all Palestinians. “One of the goals of the bazaar is to support the children of Palestine. We also want to make it clear to the older people and tell them that we are also affected by what we are witnessing on TV every day and we want to help them,” al-Najar said.

Arab models show off designs of Yemeni traditional clothes from various areas.

“I am honored to be here on the fraternal Yemeni ground, and bring you greetings from al-Quds, the al-Aqsa Mosque, the West Bank, and a steadfast Gaza. I bring you greetings from your lovely students in Palestinian schools,” said the Palestinian Ambassador to Yemen, Ahmad al-Deek.

Al-Deek said that he always says that he does not feel alienated in Yemen because the people of Yemen have both wisdom and faith.

He stressed that Bilqis was metaphorically born in Palestine when the Organization of Kana’an established a school in Palestine and named it after her. “This underscores the depth of the relationship between Yemen and Palestine,” al-Deek added. Al-Deek confirmed that there are fallen Yemeni martyrs and prisoners in Palestine. “I met with some of them in jail before I came to Yemen, and now we are fighting for survival and resistance,” he stated. The Bazaar included several creative presentations such as songs, dances and fashion shows that were designed by the Yemeni female designer Arwa al-Yabri. She showcased beautiful Yemeni clothes in traditional styles from many different areas of the country.

The Palestinian Ambassador praised and thanked the Yemeni President for his support through the initiative that bridges the gap between the Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas. The Ambassador and the manager of the New School also presented certificates honoring the sponsors of the bazaar.