Mohammed Assaf took time off from the swooning hearts of his North America tour Monday to visit the United Nations where he participated in the Observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
UNRWA Newsroom:
Describing the honour of bringing the voice of Palestine refugee youth to New York, he [Mohammed Assaf] said: “I would like to remind you of the millions of other Palestine refugees just like me – the young men and women who are not standing here before you today. When we celebrate this International Day of Solidarity, they are the ones we need to remember. We are here to show solidarity with them and support their hope for, and their right to a better, brighter future”.
He spoke to UNTV (video).
I reached the UN today. This is extremely amazing and fascinating. Its like a dream. I used to dream about it and now I’ve reached it. Today I am an artist, an ambassador and I think this is more than I have envisioned.
More on Observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People from UN News Center:
“We cannot afford to lose the current moment of opportunity,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message read on his behalf to the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
“I ask all in the international community to work together to translate the solidarity expressed on this occasion into positive action for peace and justice,” he added.
……….
“The goal remains clear – an end to the occupation that started in 1967 and the creation of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with a secure State of Israel,” Mr. Ban stated.
“Jerusalem is to emerge from negotiations as the capital of two States, with arrangements for the holy sites acceptable to all. An agreed solution must be found for millions of Palestinian refugees around the region.”
Later Mohammed Assaf performed Ali Keffiyeh!
(Previous Mohammed Assaf coverage on Mondoweiss available here)
An incredible & talented man with the weight of not only a keffiyeh (or two) on his shoulders and in his hands, he also has the weight of the yearning millions of people heaped upon him and wears it all with grace.
A marvelous ambassador. I know that there are more than a few Palestinians that will come forward and be heard…Assaf has opened the door.
Happy Day to you Annie, and many, many thanks.
His journey has been inspiring and unbelievable.
they say if it’s too good to be true then it’s too good to be true….but after interacting with Assaf personally , he is this good and he is true
Thank you Annie for the article
LOL – that a Palestinian Dabke breaks out at a UN meeting is just beyond cutely hilarious!
Thanks Annie!
As a committed Zionist I find it incredible that these “Palestinians” could come up with such a deep culture in such a short period of time.
http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=21&x_article=766
“Another giveaway is that the term “Palestinian” was used in 1956. It only came into vogue in the 1960s”
I would really like to Dabka around the Kirya on the big day.
I love this, thanks Annie and Enass! Dabka at the UN, and this great kid.