Total number of comments: 10 (since 2010-07-23 12:54:48)
Hatim Kanaaneh
Dr. Hatim Kanaaneh is a Palestinian doctor who has worked for over 35 years to bring medical care to Palestinians in Galilee, against a culture of anti-Arab discrimination. He is the author of the book A Doctor in Galilee: The Life and Struggle of a Palestinian in Israel.
Good news to wake up to.We two, Annie and I, have exchanged positive thoughts on line few times. The last time that I remember was about Pamela Olson's book, Fast Times in Palestine. Perhaps now that my wife and I are in NY (Soho) we could all get together over coffee or something
Mistake admitted. I beg forgiveness. My only defense is that I am a Middle East man!
Hardly any educated man in the Middle East fails to recognize the opening line of a fantastically beautiful poem by Abū aṭ-Ṭayyib al-Mutanabbī describing a lion he saw quenching its thirst at the edge of the lake. Al-Mutana (915 – 965) was an Arab (Iraqi-born) poet who is considered as one of the greatest poets in the Arabic language. The opening couplet goes (my un-poetic translation):
"A rose-colored one, when visiting the lake for a drink,
His roar reverberates from the Euphrates to the Nile."
Quite obviously, based on that evidence alone, Al-mutanabbi, or at least the rose-colored lion, could make a valid claim to the entire land of greater Israel. Al-Mutanabbi must have abandoned his prayer rug and ran all the way back to Baghdad. But Netanyahu thinks the rug looks new, which begs the question of whether al-Mutanabbi might have kept it fresh among his memorabilia in Baghdad till those Americans stole it for the Met.
Hi Annie,
"No fair! Why is all the fun in NYC?" I couldn't agree with you more. I would give half of the summer fruits in my garden to be there. I am half way through the book and it is a fascinating combination: wit, adventure, poetry, humane intimacy, and a lot of factual info. What more can one ask for?
We just have to arrange for another party after September 1st. when I am in NY.
You ruined Miral for me, Susan! But I will go to the film to see my neighbor Hiam Abbas and to gain some insights for the filming of my book of memoirs, "A Doctor in Galilee."
Thanks annie for your enthusiasm. I hope to live up to your expectations in my novel (see answer above.)
Have patience my friend! I am writing a novel.
Hi Max: I appreciated reading your well-documented piece and learned from it. See what you think of my more nostalgic piece above about Land Day in Galilee.
Annie, Regarding my 'colorful writing,' if you contact me at my email I will share a secret with you. Best, Hatim
Thanks all. I appreciate the interest, the solidarity and the positive appraisal.
Yunera: As a Palestinian I don't want my fate to be the same as Native Americans. I was on several reservations and I associated closely with native Hawaiians and I realize the comparison of Palestinians to Native Americans leaves many unanswered questions. Please remember, the lady I speak of was in her nineties in the 1960s. She lived in mortal fear of marauding Indians, apparently a residual of her younger years.