#islamic fragility

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Jacob McHangama

Published: Aug 9, 2023

In 2005 a Danish newspaper published a number of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammed, which led to a global battle of values over the relationship between freedom of expression and religion. Despite multiple terrorist attacks—one of them deadly others thwarted—and concerted diplomatic pressure from the 57 Muslim-majority member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led by countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, the Danish government held firm and refused demands to impose Islamic blasphemy norms.

However, recent events have shattered this resolve. Following months of of public Quran burnings in Denmark and Sweden, as well as renewed and increased pressure from the OIC and attacks on the Swedish embassy in Iraq and a Danish non-governmental organization in Basra last month, Scandinavian democracies are retreating from their liberal principles.

On July 30, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced that the government will seek to enact legislation for "special situations where other countries, cultures, and religions could be insulted, potentially resulting in significant negative consequences for Denmark." Sweden is mulling over similar actions. These capitulations have forced these countries to debate how far they are willing to go to defend their freedoms in the face of violence and international backlash.

On the one hand, there are good reasons to be critical of book burnings. It is a poor substitute for reasoned debate and one that will forever be associated with totalitarian states, such as Nazi Germany, in our collective history. But however noxious the ideas of the far-right protestors who torch Qurans, they are not state agents, they are not speaking for the government, nor do they have the power to censor or discriminate. They are private individuals whose non-violent symbolic expressions are intended to convey a message, which however, offensive to those who disprove, is part and parcel of free expression.

The violence that accompanies these events stems both from terrorist groups as well as from counter protestors who insist that religious taboos can only be enforced through mob intimidation and violence, but they are mistaken.

In July, an Iranian citizen burned the Danish and Swedish flags as well as the Bible and Torah in front of the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, praising Ayatollah Khomeini in the process. But few Danes cared about this deliberate attempt to provoke. No one threatened to use violence, and the protester was not arrested. Rather than demonstrating Danish hypocrisy, the protester managed to show how a secular society committed to both free speech and tolerance can handle offensive ideas, and also how these values serve as the antithesis to violence.

Despite these and other demonstrable merits of free speech, the recent steps taken by Denmark and Sweden reveal a concerning trend. Bowing to intimidation from politically authoritarian and religiously oppressive states sets a perilous precedent and gives oppressive regimes potential leverage to further undermine democratic principles. To sweeten this bitter pill the Danish government has been less than factual in its messaging. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that burning “sacred books” does not constitute an expression, despite established case law to the contrary. The government has also said that Denmark and Sweden are global outliers when it comes to permitting the desecration of “sacred books” even though both Norway and the Netherlands protect such symbolic expression. There are already also strong reasons to believe that the OIC will not be appeased by the proposed Danish legal restrictions, however rationalized.

The next day after the Danish government´s promise to explore legal remedies against Quran burnings, the OIC released a strongly worded statement admonishing Denmark and Sweden for failing to immediately criminalize them and pledging to continue to pursue the matter. The Turkish ambassador to Denmark also warned that the proposed Danish efforts were "insufficient." In other words, once democracies yield from principle, authoritarian states will not respond with gratitude and conciliatory attitudes but demand that the self-imposed restrictions on free speech be expanded more broadly. This is not only true in Scandinavia but also on the global stage.

Earlier this month, the OIC managed to secure a crucial win at the U.N.´s Human Rights Council with a resolution that calls on member states to, among other things, “address, prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred” as a direct response to the Scandinavian Quran burnings. The OIC argues that defamation of religious ideas and symbols constitutes incitement to religious hatred—a category of speech prohibited under international human rights law and in most European democracies. This would not just legitimize but also give legal teeth to the suppression of religious dissent, and would remove the stigma from countries where blasphemy and apostasy is severely punished.

This marks a radical departure from back in 2011, when the Obama Administration rallied democracies around the world and spearheaded a pivotal Human Rights Council Resolution to halt the OIC´s long-standing efforts to internationalize blasphemy laws. The 2011 resolution advocated education and counter-speech against religious intolerance, asserting the protection of people, not ideologies, under human rights law. It called for the penalization of "incitement to imminent violence based on religion or belief," underlining that free speech restrictions should shield individuals from tangible harm, not defend abstract religious ideas from criticism or mockery, however offensive. As then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the resolution was a step to overcome “the false divide that pits religious sensitivities against freedom of expression.”

While this broader, international perspective is critical, it is also important to consider the domestic implications of the laws Denmark and Sweden have on the table. The Danish government´s proposed legal remedy against insulting other countries doesn’t only threaten to restrict criticism of Islam. In fact, Danish Muslims protesting U.S. or Israeli foreign policy, or the mass internment of Uighur Muslims by China, could end up on the wrong side of the law, if they protest in ways deemed “insulting” to the U.S., Israel, or China and detrimental to the broad and nebulous concept of “Danish interests.”

Moreover, the Danish and Swedish governments’ misguided attempt to foster tolerance through censorship could inadvertently exacerbate social divisions within their own borders. Hard-nosed critics of Islam and Muslim immigration frequently argue that Islam is incompatible with democracy and freedom, painting Muslims as a fifth column. The external pressure from Islamic states, coupled with support for restrictive measures among some Danish Muslims, risks emboldening these divisive narratives. This stands to harm the many Scandinavian Muslims who appreciate the freedoms and equality that Denmark and Sweden offer, and which sets these countries apart from the Muslim-majority states of the OIC.

Free speech is a difficult principle to uphold consistently. Governments and citizens of democracies alike are frequently tempted to sacrifice this principle when faced with threats or adverse consequences of unpopular or extremist speech. But one only has to compare the vibrant democracies of Denmark and Sweden to the authoritarian regimes of Iran and Saudi Arabia to realize that, for all its flaws, free speech makes the world more tolerant, democratic, equal, and free. Denmark and Sweden’s defection from this core liberal principle is a dark day for the global fight for free speech.

==

You don't surrender or capitulate to bullies. Not even when they're pretending to be the victim.

[mbta-unofficial]

Gonna actually talk a little bit about the Great Mosque of Djenne, which has one of the coolest folk traditions around it in the world. The building itself is both at least 700 years old and incredibly fragile. It's made of adobe, and requires yearly resurfacing with fresh clay in order to prevent it from cracking structurally. It's incredibly distinct visually because of the planks which are a kind of permanent scaffold allowing access to every part of the structure for the purposes of annual maintenance.

Now, when I say "reject tradition" as practical advice for opposing fascism, I don't literally mean "abandon the centuries old practice of restoring this beloved building to its pristine condition," right? This building is gorgeous and also a house of worship used daily. Well, for one thing, I'm not a Djenne muslim. I've never been to Mali, although I would certainly like to visit. But even if I were, I certainly wouldn't say that we should just let this symbol of my faith and country and nation rot right?

WELL,

no. This is a genuinely beloved act of community and a wonderful tradition and

also less than 120 years old

and what you need to understand is that

FASCISTS LIE ABOUT HISTORY ALL THE FUCKING TIME

Did you catch that? The 700 year old mosque was demolished and reconstructed from scratch in 1906. It spent an unknown amount of time between the mid 1600s when the towers were built and 1800s rotting after it was abandoned.

I love this building. I really do. I don't want to pretend that 120 years is small potatoes either, that is a really long time. And I think it's a beautiful symbol of the way that keeping what we love about the world beautiful and present takes work, and that you have to love something to keep it around and that keeping things around is a form of love. But once you ask "how long have they really been doing things this way?" suddenly the mystique of the 700 year old mosque that has always been preserved starts to crack and become ugly.

In 2006, men inspecting the roof had to flee the city to avoid being lynched after they were accused of vandalizing it. They were literally paid by an international islamic cultural society to do restoration work and had to flee because their actions were misinterpreted as malicious. The story and the mystique of the building and its sacred untouchability (except in the festival where we all touch and fix it) could have killed them.

The point is that buildings change over time. The great Mosque of Djenne was a mosque, then a palace, then a mosque again, then a ruin, then a school, then an empty lot, and then a mosque again. And, arguably, it's still the same building. There has only ever been one Great Mosque of Djenne and it maybe moved around a bit or didn't exist or was some rich guy's house or had another Great Mosque of Djenne next to it but there has still only ever been one Great Mosque of Djenne and every year the whole community comes together to fix it except when they try to lynch the guys trying to fix it and it's beautiful. I mean that. It is beautiful that they have been doing this for as long as they have.

And you have to remember that The Great Mosque of Djenne is a story we are all telling. And, when you tell stories, things like "it was a ruin for almost 200 years" get left out because "every year for at least 700 years people have come together to fix it" is a better story. It makes it seem like the building has only ever been just one thing, immune to history and politics.

That what fascists want. Because they are people. Awful, small minded, incurious people, but people who like you, love stories and wish, desperately, for a world with buildings that don't change for 700 years. Because, if something doesn't change for that long, it must be Worth something, you know, cosmically. Everything is always changing, especially in politics, and in history and it's so fucking scary to just be Alive when everything keeps changing like that.

So it must be that the reason It didn't change is because We didn't change. We didn't let Them change it because They are new and aren't interested in keeping the 700 year old tradition that We all know and care about that makes us Us and them Them. When you lie about history, you don't need to face that We were Them and They changed Us and we were better for it. We don't have to think about the fact that the tradition isn't as old as we say it is.

But also the Great Mosque of Djenne is a rejection of that idea. Because it changes every year. You can't argue that it doesn't. You just have to pick up your bucket and change it into the future you want. Because if you do nothing, it will crack and crumble and fall into rubble in just a few decades. It isn't invulnerable. It's intensely human because it is a real actual literal sandcastle that people have been in the process of building for more than 100 years. The story changes. The building changes. Slowly, imperceptibly, and then suddenly, all at once, and then people act like it never happened. But that's just the story. And if you read the history you can see the truth which is that people are beautiful and creative and also sometimes riot because they think someone is touching their story wrong.

[girlactionfigure]

For decades, we’ve been fed the lie that Israel is the root of all conflict in the Middle East. That if Israel disappeared, the region would suddenly blossom into peace and prosperity.

Let’s test that theory.

Imagine the Israelis, exhausted from wars, terrorism, and endless global condemnation, decide the land isn’t worth the blood.

They pack up and leave for Europe, Canada, the U.S., anywhere but here.

Palestinian flags rise over every inch of land from the river to the sea.

Hamas, the PA, and their cheerleaders worldwide celebrate the ultimate victory.

Then what?

The illusion of unity shatters within hours. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority turn on each other. The PA, riddled with corruption and incapable of governing, is no match for Hamas, which seizes the West Bank as easily as it did Gaza in 2007.

The streets fill with executions, Palestinians killing Palestinians.

Palestinian factions within Jordan, emboldened by the so-called liberation of their homeland, demand full political rights, power-sharing, and ultimately, the transformation of Jordan into a Palestinian state.

The Jordanian government and tribes, desperate to maintain control, issues a decree: Palestinians must return to their "liberated" homeland.

But with Gaza and the West Bank descending into chaos as Hamas and the PA turn on each other, there is nowhere to go. Also, they refuse to give their rights in Jordan.

The demand ignites mass unrest. Palestinians refuse to leave, protests turn violent, and the simmering tensions that have existed for decades explode into full-scale civil war.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah's true motives are laid bare. For decades, it claimed its weapons were for "resistance" against Israel, but in reality, Hezbollah has always armed itself out of fear, fear of Sunni dominance.

Now, with Israel out of the picture, that fear becomes reality. The war-hardened Sunni militias of Tripoli, no longer restrained by the façade of "unity against Zionism," rise up with one goal: to break Hezbollah’s stranglehold over Lebanon.

They are emboldened, fueled by regional Sunni powers who see this as the perfect moment to settle scores.

The Christians, long persecuted and sidelined, scramble to arm themselves, knowing that the collapse of Hezbollah's iron grip could mean renewed massacres and the resurgence of old hostilities.

The Alawite remnants of Assad’s shattered regime, seeing no future in Syria, flee to Lebanon, dragging their war with them.

Massacres, chaos, and anarchy consume Lebanon within months.

The jihadist regime in Syria, under the pretext of hunting down the remnants of Assad’s Alawite loyalists and "protecting" their Sunni brothers in Lebanon, will launch a full-scale invasion.

Their first objective: to crush Hezbollah and dismantle its hold on power.

But once Hezbollah is defeated, their mission won’t stop there. With newfound dominance, they will turn against Lebanon’s Christians, demanding greater Sunni control and reshaping the country’s fragile balance through force.

Iran will move swiftly to defend the Shia in Lebanon, igniting a full-scale war against Syria.

Saudi Arabia will intervene to back the Sunni forces, dragging the entire region into chaos.

Meanwhile, Turkey will seize the moment to launch a brutal offensive against the Kurds, but its aggression will spiral into direct conflict with Iran.

Civil war in Iraq.

Egypt, aligning with Saudi Arabia, will enter the fray, while Algeria, driven by old rivalries, will strike at Egypt.

The Houthis in Yemen, acting as Iran’s proxy, will unleash attacks on Egypt, while the UAE will move against the Houthis.

In retaliation, Iran will target the UAE.

The idea that Israel is the root of Middle Eastern conflict is a lie.

War has been the default setting of the Islamic world for 1,400 years.

The moment Muhammad died, his followers turned on each other, launching centuries of bloodshed that never stopped.

Islamic conquests have killed between 300-400 million people, long before Israel even existed.

The idea that Israel is the reason for conflict is a lie, perpetuated to justify jihad.

Without Israel, the Islamic world wouldn’t turn into a utopia, it would turn into an even darker nightmare.

The ultimate truth is this: Thank God for Israel, otherwise, this post would be real news.

[warningsine]

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have issued a ban on women’s voices and bare faces in public under new laws approved by the supreme leader in efforts to combat vice and promote virtue.

The laws were issued Wednesday after they were approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, a government spokesman said. The Taliban had set up a ministry for the “propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice” after seizing power in 2021.

The ministry published its vice and virtue laws on Wednesday that cover aspects of everyday life like public transportation, music, shaving and celebrations.

They are set out in a 114-page, 35-article document seen by The Associated Press and are the first formal declaration of vice and virtue laws in Afghanistan since the takeover.

“Inshallah we assure you that this Islamic law will be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice,” said ministry spokesman Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq on Thursday.

The laws empower the ministry to be at the frontline of regulating personal conduct, administering punishments like warnings or arrest if enforcers allege that Afghans have broken the laws.

Article 13 relates to women. It says it is mandatory for a woman to veil her body at all times in public and that a face covering is essential to avoid temptation and tempting others. Clothing should not be thin, tight or short.

Women should veil themselves in front of all male strangers, including Muslims, and in front of all non-Muslims to avoid being corrupted. A woman’s voice is deemed intimate and so should not be heard singing, reciting, or reading aloud in public. It is forbidden for women to look at men they are not related to by blood or marriage and vice versa.

Article 17 bans the publication of images of living beings, threatening an already fragile Afghan media landscape.

Article 19 bans the playing of music, the transportation of solo female travelers, and the mixing of men and women who are not related to each other. The law also obliges passengers and drivers to perform prayers at designated times.

According to the ministry website, the promotion of virtue includes prayer, aligning the character and behavior of Muslims with Islamic law, encouraging women to wear hijab, and inviting people to comply with the five pillars of Islam. It also says the elimination of vice involves prohibiting people from doing things forbidden by Islamic law.

Last month, a U.N. report said the ministry was contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans through edicts and the methods used to enforce them.

It said the ministry’s role was expanding into other areas of public life, including media monitoring and eradicating drug addiction.

“Given the multiple issues outlined in the report, the position expressed by the de facto authorities that this oversight will be increasing and expanding gives cause for significant concern for all Afghans, especially women and girls,” said Fiona Frazer, the head of the human rights service at the U.N. mission in Afghanistan.

The Taliban rejected the U.N. report.

[family-aya]

Read and enjoy a real story

With the breeze blowing every morning, there is a man named Islam, who is 20 years old. He works day and night to earn a living for his parents (the elderly). During the day, he works as a worker in one of the industrial stores (selling shoes). He works hard and does not tire. He endures hardship and fatigue in order to buy... All that his parents need is food, treatment, and care, even though he receives a small amount of money. However, he endures hardship, and at night he works as a guard for one of the residential homes.... He returns in the morning to take care of his parents and then returns to work...

Many years passed and that man grew up and became a mature and distinguished man. One day, while the man was inside the store, a beautiful girl named (Aya) entered upon him. She wanted to buy one of the shoes. She was 20 years old. Islam was impressed by that girl because of her beauty, commitment, and respect. Whenever she entered the place, his heart would beat and he did not know what to do. He just looked at her with his charming eyes, heart beating, and hands trembling. Islam fell in love with Aya,,

One day, Islam saw a verse by chance in a café. She laughed at him, greeted him, and asked him if there were new shoes to buy, and he was in shock and shame 😅 Finally, Islam was encouraged to talk to Aya, took her phone number, and began speaking in an official capacity, for example: Today there are new shoes, so come and visit the store 😅😅 After a while, he started talking over and over again to Aya. Aya liked Islam’s personality and his words. She fell in love with him and confessed to him. Aya and Islam became lovers, in love with each other. Aya Islam helped him overcome his ordeal with work and is now He owns a shoe store bearing their name, and he earned money and bought a new house and a car.... Islam proposes to Aya and they become a happy couple Years passed, and due to their intense love for each other, Aya gave birth to her first and second children, and after that her child, Muhammad, and the love grew and grew between them. They lived the most beautiful days of their lives with love, contentment, happiness, and peace. Aya became pregnant again with her fourth child, but... ......

One day we woke up to the sounds of bombing, destruction, fear and panic about what was happening. We left our home to a safe place. We were displaced more than once, and my wife was in the last months... (the story is in the other post) I lost everything, my child, my workplace, my home, my car, and everything I owned. Our life became hell Now I, my wife Aya, and my children are in your hands. We do not have the same mercy as God

We live in a torn and fragile tent that does not protect against the cold of winter, the heat of summer, or the constant bombing...

Therefore, I hope that you will support me and help me to preserve Aya and Islam’s family and for their love to continue Your donations can make a huge difference in our lives. It can give us hope for a better day. Can you help us?

@timetravellingkitty @meaganfoskin @socalgal @briahyu @briahrogersss-blog @catchymemes @timetravellingkitty @meaganfoskin @socalgal @briahyu @briahrogersss-blog @chilewishlist @aces-and-anime @ghelgheli @mahoushojoe @mahouprince @northgazaupdates2 @rhubarbspring @sayruq @schoolhater @pcktknife @transmutationisms @sawasawako @terroristiclyscreaming @irhabiya @commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria @deepspaceboytoy @kibumkim @neechees @mangocheesecakes @kyra45-helping-others @marnot-blog @7bittersweet @tortiefrancis @toile @fromjanna @omegaversereloaded @vague-humanoid @criptocromo @aristote @komsomolka @neptunerings @hotvampireadjacent @jenbekmanprojects @pukicho @questbedhead @viscerella @melia-an2fa @littlegermanboy

please help my family 😞

please help my family 😞

[a-shade-of-blue]

Masterlist of Vetted Fundraisers from the Palestinians who directly contacted me (3-12 November)

12 November

Hanan Mahmoud (@hananmahmoud1): Hanan has a 3-year-old daughter Dana and a son called Adam who was born only a few months ago in this genocidal war. She is fundraising to buy basic neessities for the children. (https://gofund.me/032d0dc0) (#270 on @/gazavetters vetted list) (€153 raised of €50K goal)

Rana Sobhi (@ranafamily7, @ranafamilygaza): Rana is 14 years old. She, her mother and her sisters are now living in Northern Gaza. Her mother is suffering from osteoporosis, cartilage fragility and needs treatment. Her father is in Southern Gaza and does not even have a tent to live in. (https://gofund.me/d22a0a2f) (vetted by @/gazavetters and #250 on their vetted list) 

Sama (@samatatari1999): Sama has 4 children: Qusay (15), Sama (14), Firas (10), and Seela (5). They lack basic necessities and they wish to evacuate from Gaza. They need money to buy a tent. (https://gofund.me/1c042325) (vetted by @/gazavetters and #268 on their vetted list) (€195 raised of €80K target)

11 November

Khaled Ismael, Mariam (@khaledismael): Khaled and his wife Rasha have 3 children: Walid (12), Karim (10), and Mariam (5). They have been displaced and the wish to escape to a safe place. (https://gofund.me/357b9170) (shared by 90-ghost, shared by bilal-salah0) ($204 CAD raised of $30K target)

Ammar Hammad (@amaar-hamaad): Ammar was born a few months ago in this genocidal war. His father suffers from a cruciate ligament injury and thus cannot work. His mother Samah suffers from asthma and cannot produce milk for him. They are fundraising to buy necessities like milk for Ammar. (https://gofund.me/b1cd8b73) (shared by 90-ghost)

10 November

Hanan Al-Salout (@hanan-fomily3): Hanan is 24 years old and is a psychological counselor. She and her husband have a 2-year-old child. Her elderly mother-in-law suffers from chronic illnesses, and has almost lost her life due to anemia from lack of food. (https://gofund.me/9af14850) (#152 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

8 November

Sahar (@saharalajrami): Sahar has 4 children: Hala, Rital, Odai, and Talin. Odai has an injury in his leg because he was shot by a drone. They are a family of 9 and they wish to evacuate from Gaza. (https://gofund.me/b3afa42b) (Vetted by bilal-salah0, shared by 90-ghost, shared by @/gaza-evacuation-funds) (€349 raised of €50K goal)

Saeed (@saeid19): Saeed is 19 years old. Their house has been destroyed, and he and his family wish to evacuate from Gaza. (https://gofund.me/a86f5657) (Shared by 90-ghost) (€480 raised of €50K goal)

7 November

Nour & Dana (@danafamilysblog): Nour has lost 3 children, her sister, in-laws, nephews and nieces. Her 9-year-old daughter Dana lost her arm when the Israeli forces bombed their building. She also has a brother named Yayha. Nour’s husband has been seriously injured. Nour is also taking care of her orphaned 7-month-old nephew Mohammed who has lost his entire family. They wish to get a prosthetic arm for Dana. (https://gofund.me/dba55fdd) (shared by 90-ghost, shared by bilal-salah0) (£235 raised of £15K goal)

Islam Al-Najjar (@islamgzacc4): Islam is 27 years old. His 85-year-old grandfather lost his arm in a bombing and suffers from severe injuries. They are fundraising to buy basic necessities and evacuate from Gaza. (https://gofund.me/c6604c3d, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mido87ss) (#332 on vetted fundraiser list by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi)

Laila & Sally (@laylaayman24): Laila is 24 years old and have a one-and-a-half-year-old baby called Sally. She is now pregnant with her second child Omar, who is due in a few months. They have been displaced more than 10 times. Her family house was bombed with them inside it. Her cousin and her cousin’s daughter Maria were martyred in the bombing. They are fundraising to buy basic necessities. (https://gofund.me/b0441c7d) (shared by 90-ghost, vetted by bilal-salah0) ($421 USD raised of $20K goal)

6 November

Anas, Baraa (@helpanas): When Anas went to inspect their home after he and his family were displaced, the Israeli forces fired at him from planes, burying him under the rubble and causing severe injuries to his legs. While he received reconstructive surgeries, he could not receive treatment to his damaged nerves and tissues to to a lack of medical resources. He requires extensive treatment and possibly an ankle transplant abroad.  (https://gofund.me/433864df) (vetted by 90-ghost) ($395 USD raised of $20K target)

Shorouq Eldrimly (@shoroa91): Shorouq have 3 children: Qusai (7), Eileen, (5), and Hisham (2). Qusai has a heart condition since birth but they cannot provide him the medication and treatment he needs. Hisham is suffering from malnutrition. They wish to evacaute from Gaza. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/shorouqs-story-a-mothers-cry-from-the-heart-of-war) (#240 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

5 November

Hala Mushtaha (@halamushtaha): Hala has 4 children: Abdul, Jaber, Mohammed, and Lian. They are fundraising to evacuate from Gaza.  (https://gofund.me/ae46eed6) (#1 on @/gaza-evacuation-funds vetted list here)

Hala (@hala-15): Hala’s baby son Abdul Aziz was born during this genocidal war. Abdul Aziz was diagnosed with hirschsprung's disease, which meant that his colon cannot move and he cannot pass waste, resulting in severe swelling in his belly. Hala is raising funds to pay for Abdul Aziz’s surgeries and medication. (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUL966VBH88NC) (shared by 90-ghost, but gfm has closed her campaign without reason so she is using paypal instead now)

Aya Alanqar (@ahmadalanqar99, @ayaayman95): Aya used to be a content creator. She wishes to evacuate her family (consisting of herself, her brother (25), her parents and her elderly grandma (85)) out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/47c55aba) (#217 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

3 November

Mounir Raed Alanqar (@amani-raed): Mounir is 19 years old. He has 4 siblings: Rasha (22 and married), Rana (21 and married), Mohamed (16), and Sham (4). He is raising funds to buy basic necessitiese and to evacuate from Gaza. (https://gofund.me/f3b1439b) (#8 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

Reem Al ajrami (@reem-alajrami): Reem is a widow with 3 children: Diana, Issam and Abdullah. They are displaced and have run out of money to buy basic necessities. (https://gofund.me/78efc923) (vetted by bilal-salah0) (€292 raised of €5K goal)

Ghada Nabil Al-Anqar (@ghadanabil2): Ghada and her family have been displaced. Her 23-year-old brother is now responsible for providing basic necessities for the family. She is also living her two married brothers Mohamed and Ahed and their children. Each of the brothers have 3 children. (https://gofund.me/b43baaaf) (#6 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

Click here for my Google Doc with my complete masterlist of all the Palestinian gfm asks I've received, updated daily (along with other verified ways to send aid to Gaza).

How are gfm campaigns vetted?  See here, here, here and here.

See post here for other verified ways to send aid to Gaza.

Don't forget your Daily Clicks on Arab.org, it's free!!! and Every click made is registered in their system and generates donation from sponsors/advertisers.

See links below for my Masterlists of Vetted Fundraisers from the Palestinians who sent me asks for if you want to help more people! As well as resources for palestinian students if you are a palestinian student

Masterlists of Vetted Fundraisers

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 13 - 25 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 26 -29 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 30 July - 1 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 - 5 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6 - 10 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11 - 14 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15 - 18 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundrasiers from 19 - 21 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundrasiers from 22 - 24 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 25 - 28 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 29 August - 1 September

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 - 5 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6-10 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11-14 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15-18 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 19-22 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 23-26 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 27-30 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 1-4 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 5-9 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 10-14 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15-21 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 22-26 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 27 October - 2 November.

Resources for Palestinian Students!

Initiatives and resources to support Palestinian students, academics and universities:

This is a list of initiatives and resources for Gazan students seeking to complete their studies, including initiatives, resources, training and scholarships. See list here.

Scholarships for Displaced Palestinian students:

Putting this here for the palestininans who follow me: If you are a displaced Palestinian student looking to fund your education, this document lists the scholarships available around the world for displaced Palestinian students.

[secular-jew]

The Iranian-backed Houthi Islamists, attacked and sunk a Belize-flagged commercial ship in the Red Sea. The ship was carrying 21,000 metric tons of Ammonium Phosphate Sulfate, and untold quantities of heavy fuel oil, which is now polluting and destroying the diverse ocean and coral life.

This cynical Iranian Islamic attack on global shipping increases all our costs, and is an affront to our natural environment.

The Islamists could care less who they kill, hurt, or how they damage our fragile ecosystems.

[awetistic-things]

A Father's Plea: Survival Amid the Gaza Crisis ♥️

Share through word of mouth & the internet; donate now, and if you can’t, save this for when you can 🇵🇸

Gofundme —>

The Life We Once Knew

My name is Rabhi Jaber, a father of seven children: Salah (21), Dima (18), Malak (14), Saji (12), Islam (10), and two others. Our lives in Gaza were once peaceful, marked by a stable home and the joy of my children’s laughter. But everything changed with the devastating escalation of the Gaza conflict in 2023. What was once a life of hope has become a struggle for survival.

The Day Our World Fell Apart

On October 7, our home was reduced to rubble in the airstrikes on Gaza. In an instant, our dreams and everything we held dear vanished. My children, once thriving in school, now face a grim reality devoid of education and security. We fled south to Rafah, seeking refuge in an overcrowded school. Hunger and despair became our daily companions as the humanitarian corridors remained closed. The loss of our home is a wound that will never heal, made worse by the absence of international aid to civilians in Gaza.

A Fragile Existence in Mawasi Khan Younis

Now displaced to Mawasi Khan Younis, we live in unbearable conditions. Our shelter is a tattered tent, exposed to the biting cold and the constant threat of insects. I am an amputee, sick, and struggling to care for my family in a place with no clean water, no electricity, and no hope. My children’s dreams are slipping away; my eldest, Bakr, should be entering high school this year, but the dire circumstances make this seem impossible.

Winter's Shadow and Our Dire Need

Winter looms, bringing with it the terrifying prospect of floods and freezing nights. We lack proper clothing, food, and medical supplies. My children face the cold nights with nothing but thin blankets, and our health deteriorates as Gaza’s hospitals remain overwhelmed. I have exhausted every means to protect my family, but our resources are depleted. We urgently need help to survive the harsh winter and escape this nightmare.

A Hope for Escape and Rebuilding

My dream is to secure a future for my children beyond the horrors of this war. We hope to raise $35,000 to escape to Egypt, where we can rebuild our lives and provide the basics: warmth, education, and stability. The journey requires $5,000 per person—a seemingly insurmountable sum. Your generosity can turn this dream into a reality, giving my children a chance to grow up free from fear and suffering.

Your Support Can Change Our Lives

Every donation brings us one step closer to survival. Your kindness could provide my family with shelter, food, and a chance to rebuild. The suffering of displaced families in Gaza is immense, but with your support, we can find hope amid despair. Please consider donating to our campaign. Together, we can bring light to the darkest of times.

A Final Call for Compassion

As winter approaches, our need becomes more urgent.

I implore you to open your hearts and extend a hand to my family. May Allah reward your kindness and compassion. Let your generosity be the beacon of hope that guides us through this crisis.

his profile on TikTok:

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ x ]

🦇 Heir Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite fantasy book?❓ 🦇 An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. An old tragedy fuels Aiz's need for vengeance, while love of her people that propels her. Sirsha agrees to use her magic to hunt a killer who is murdering children across the Martial Empire. And Quil is the Empire's crown prince, though he's loath to take the throne. Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of these three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives—and their hearts. Literally.

💜 *Insert a plethora of creative curses here* For fig's sake. I can't even begin to describe the pure AWE I have, not only for this story, but for Sabaa Tahir, fantasy and Muslim-American literary goddess, in general. I honestly can't think of a story I've read that was so well intertwined, so fully conceptualized, while respecting roots of the series that came before it. Earlier this year, I had the fortune to read The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab, which continued her Shades of Magic series. Reading Heir sparked that same feeling; the sensation of returning home after a long journey through other vast worlds. I'm grateful that Penguin Teen hosted the Ember in the Ashes read-along this summer. While Heir introduces us to new characters, 20 years after the Ember in the Ashes series ends, each mention and emergence of a familiar character provided a sweet taste of nostalgia I didn't know I needed. These books have seeped themselves deep within my marrow since 2015, and Sabaa Tahir has been on my favorite/auto-buy author for just as long. She's the first Muslim-American to win the National Book Award for Young People's Literature; a feat that gives me hope and inspiration as a Muslim-American writer.

💜 Reading Heir, you can see how much Tahir's prose has flourished over the past decade. Despite stepping back into this familiar world, it's richer, more vivid. The action is just as intense and ruthless, the characters undeniably unique. The underlying themes resonate deeply. I loved every nod to South Asian, Pakistani, and Islamic culture. It's always the five-star book reviews I struggle with the most. I could talk about this story for hours, but I'd spoil so much that I want you to experience for yourself.

💙 Don't worry: if you haven't read the An Ember in the Ashes quartet, you can still enjoy Heir. The three main characters have their own vivid story to tell, and while there are mentions of many beloved characters from the original series, they're supporting cast to Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. I will say that the first part of the story took a moment to adjust to, and there's the lingering question of HOW these characters are connected, but once you realize how the breadcrumbs were laid out for you, you'll realize the execution is FLAWLESS. The fast pace keeps you on your toes, the ever-growing tension driving you to the last page. As for the underlying romantic story, AH! It was perfectly built, the sass and chemistry playful without stealing from the main plot, yet heart-wrenching; that kind of painful that keeps you invested long-term. OH! And can we talk about our villain? That BUILD?! I love a villain with reason--a character who doesn't realize they're the villain at all, someone with a mission that goes about it in all the wrong ways. This story had EVERYTHING and then some. I'll be recommending it for the next 20 years.

🦇 Recommended for fans of The Red Queen series, The Lunar Chronicle series, and The Throne of Glass series.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🫀First in a Duology ✨ Young Adult High Fantasy/Romantasy 👑 Political Intrigue ⛏ Enemies to Lovers 💓 Found Family 👁 Multi POV

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #Heir

💬 Quotes ❝ Get what you need. Forget the rest. ❞ ❝ "You are a daughter of the evening star. You are not meant to be caged." ❞ ❝ “I give my heart unto her keeping, a gift with no compare.” ❞ ❝ "The past will distract you from the now. And it’s the now that matters.” ❞ ❝ “You seek to understand the fibers that make the world,” Loli Temba said, “but not your own pain, nor that of others. You’d be better served understanding the latter.” ❞ ❝ He looked at her like her secrets were the sea, and he was at home in dark water. ❞ ❝ “Quil—” His name rolled off her tongue, a prayer. “Please—” “Mmm,” he said. “You should say that more, Sirsha. I’d give you whatever you wanted.” ❞ ❝ “Care about yourself as much as you care about those you love. As much as— as we care about you.” ❞ ❝ Sirsha grabbed his hand, wishing she could articulate the desire suffusing her, something more than I need you and I wish I didn’t. ❞

[tomorrowwithme]

Yet another Indian Hindu woman facing threats to her life by Muslims for allegedly "blaspheming" against prophet Muhammed.

All this girl did was call Islamic heaven the whorehouse of Muhammad for having 72 hoories and lawyer Waris Pathan doxxed her so that Islamists could maim her or even kill her, just like what happened to Kanhaiya Lal

Islamists, including those who are threatening her, regularly abuse Hinduism and Hindu gods — and they don’t ever apologise. But this girl has apologised. It was unintentional, as she was cursing Pakistanis amidst their drone attacks on Indian civilians and didn’t realise it would turn into a religious issue.

Where the fuck are you now, Indian leftists and feminists? Are the fragile feelings of your precious moslem pookie pets and Pedommed's honour more important than the safety of that woman? Or are you too scared?

[mariacallous]

Hi Ms Callous!! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for books that could help lay out the history of/situation in Syria? You had a post generally referring to this subject a few days ago but I can’t find it. I’ve found your recommendations so helpful in the past!! Thank you!!!! 🥰

Thank you for the compliment!

Destroying a Nation: The Civil War in Syria by Nikolaos Van Dam

Fragile Nation, Shattered Land: The Modern History of Syria by James Reilly

Assad or We Burn the Country: How One Family's Lust for Power Destroyed Syria by Sam Dagher

The Syrian Jihad: Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Evolution of an Insurgency by Charles Lister

Syrian Requiem: The Civil War and Its Aftermath by Itamar Rabinovich and Carmit Valensi

[kaikamahine]

Hey, if you're comfortable sharing, can you drop a recommendation list for non fic that you've read/listened to? I've been meaning to branch into non fiction books for a while now and your recommendations would be welcome!

Ow, friend, it really hurts when you twist my arm like that lmao.

But no really, I would love to. All of these I listened to as audiobooks from my library, so I can't promise the print versions aren't dense or hard to get through!

For Beginners: Engaging and humorous narration, broad scientific and historical appeal, fascinating subjects.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. What it says on the tin, presented with a Douglas Adams-esque sense of humor. An Immense World by Ed Yong. An exploration of animals and their senses! I got a little teary eyed in places, because, like, nature is so cool???

Moderate: Harder subject matter. Be aware if you're in a fragile state.

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. Overlaps with Wild New World by Dan Flores, which I read at the same time. Turns out the fate of America's native people and its native fauna were intrinsically linked, whodda thunk. Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell. If you want a book about the banana things cults have done just so you can feel superior to the people who get trapped in them, this isn't it. Montell's got an impeccable comedic beat in addition to making you stop and think. Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary. A history of the world through an Islamic lens! I might be biased, bc this was what I have a degree in, but I LOVED this one. Ansary's really good at drawing parallels in the form of "so this is probably how you learned it in the West, and here's how the Middle World saw it." Goes up to the present!

Niche Topics: Because who doesn't love when experts talk about the things they love and know a lot about and want to share it with you!

Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar. Parking! A whole book about parking! And it's genuinely fascinating, start to finish! Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Fallacies by Elizabeth Winkler. Probably not news to English majors, but yo! I did not know! That Shakespeare's identity was even in contention. What else don't I know! Blowout by Rachel Maddow. The slimy history of America and oil. If you don't know, Maddow's one of those people Fox News complains about a LOT, and if that wasn't recommendation enough, she's also fantastic at telling a story. Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes. Women in Greek myth! Haynes writes fiction, too, and I really wish my library had more of her nonfiction, because when I finished this one, I went right back to the beginning to listen again.

By Author:

Mary Roach. You will see Mary Roach on a hundred different nonfiction rec lists. She is stellar at taking a topic and making it the most fascinating thing you'll hear about today. My library only has two of her books, so I can't tell you which one is the best yet lol. Patrick Radden Keefe. There's a lot of really good names in the reporter-turned-author category, but Keefe was the one I read the most of this year. His book on the opiod crisis (18 hours on audiobook) still sits heavy with me.

[templeofthescarletstar]

"The Forgotten Mother: How Erasing the Divine Feminine Corrupted Spiritual Truths and Empowered Patriarchy"

The Suppression of the Divine Feminine:

I remember when they tore down her image. The Asherah pole stood tall beside Yahweh’s altar, a symbol of the divine mother’s nurturing presence. But Josiah’s men came with fire and iron, hacking it to splinters. They said she was an abomination, that Yahweh alone should be worshipped. But we knew better. The mothers whispered her name in secret, praying for fertility and protection. They could burn her symbols, but they couldn’t erase her from our hearts.

— A witness to King Josiah's reforms, 2 Kings 23:6

I was a priestess of Astarte. We danced under the moon, honoring the goddess of love and war. But then the men came, calling her a harlot, twisting her name into a curse. They said her temples were dens of sin, that our rites were wicked. They turned the goddess into a demon, erasing her from the heavens and casting her into hell. Our power was stolen, our voices silenced. But the goddess still lives in the blood of every woman who remembers.

— A priestess reflecting on the demonization of Astarte. 

Sophia’s wisdom flowed through us, guiding us toward the light. But when the Church fathers gathered their councils, they cast her aside. They called heretical the Gospels that spoke of her—Pistis Sophia, The Sophia of Jesus Christ. They said wisdom belonged to men alone, that divine truth must come through their hands. They feared the light she offered because it made their authority fragile. So they buried her words beneath the weight of their dogma.

— A Gnostic teacher witnessing the suppression of Sophia in early Christianity

I was given to him like a goat or a piece of land. My father struck the deal, and I was his prize. “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you,” they said. I had no voice, no choice. The scriptures made it law: Exodus 20 lists me as property in the same breath as oxen and donkeys. They cloaked my chains in holy words.

— A woman reflecting on her role under the laws of Exodus 20:17 and Genesis 3:16

I heard the words from the pulpit: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak.” My heart burned, but my lips stayed shut. They said I was born from man’s rib, destined to serve and obey. Paul’s letters—Corinthians, Timothy—became my shackles. The men claimed divine order, but I knew it was fear. Fear of the power they couldn’t control.

— A Christian woman silenced by Pauline doctrine, referencing 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12

When he took me as his fourth wife, I knew my fate. The Qur'an allowed it, as long as he treated us “fairly,” but fairness meant nothing. My worth was measured in obedience, my defiance punished by law. “Men are in charge of women,” they said, and Surah An-Nisa sealed my fate. I was his possession, veiled and hidden, my voice lost beneath layers of scripture.

— A woman reflecting on her subjugation under Islamic law, referencing Surah An-Nisa 4:34

While the narratives above are a work of fiction,  the events and doctrines mentioned are historically documented. 

Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Asherah Suppression:

Historical Fact: The Bible records King Josiah’s reforms in 2 Kings 23:6, where Asherah poles were destroyed to consolidate monotheistic worship of Yahweh. Archaeological finds, like inscriptions from Kuntillet Ajrud, mention “Yahweh and his Asherah.”

2. Demonization of Astarte:

Historical Fact: Archaeological evidence includes the discovery of nude female figurines in ancient Israelite sites. These figurines, often associated with goddesses like Astarte. 

Additionally, in the biblical narrative, king Solomon introduced the worship of the Phoenician goddess Astarte, referred to as "Ashtoreth" (Ashera) in the Masoretic text. 

3. Suppression of Sophia in Gnosticism:

Historical Fact: Sophia is central in Gnostic texts like Pistis Sophia and The Sophia of Jesus Christ, which were removed and banned as heretical after the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) and other early Church councils that defined orthodoxy.

4. Women as Property in the Bible:

 Exodus 20:17 lists a neighbor’s wife among possessions like a house, servants, and livestock. Genesis 3:16 establishes the hierarchical relationship post-Eden.

5. Pauline Suppression of Women:

 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12 explicitly instruct women to remain silent and subordinate in church, influencing Christian gender roles for centuries.

6. Islamic Suppression of Women:

 Surah An-Nisa 4:34 outlines male authority over women, permitting men to discipline their wives. The Qur'an allows up to four wives if treated justly, though interpretations and implementations vary widely across cultures and history.

The removal of goddesses like Asherah, Sophia, and Shekinah from spiritual traditions wasn’t accidental—it was systematic. Archaeological evidence, such as inscriptions from Kuntillet Ajrud in ancient Israel, shows early Hebrews worshipped Yahweh and his Asherah. Yet, over time, Asherah was erased from sacred texts, her presence scrubbed from worship as monotheism took root. The Deuteronomistic reforms under King Josiah (2 Kings 23) describe the destruction of Asherah poles and temples, further evidence of the active removal of the goddess from public worship.

Similarly, Sophia, the embodiment of divine wisdom, is central in Gnostic texts like The Sophia of Jesus Christ and Pistis Sophia, but these were labeled heretical by the early Church and excluded from the canonical Bible. In mainstream Christianity, the divine feminine became fragmented or wholly absent, replaced by male-centric doctrines. Even the Shekinah, a feminine presence representing divine immanence in the world, was relegated to the fringes of mystical Kabbalistic thought rather than mainstream theology.

Despite this suppression, echoes of the divine feminine persist, particularly in Kabbalah. The Shekinah is still recognized as the feminine aspect of God’s presence, dwelling within Malkuth, the Sephirah representing the material world. But this divine connection was corrupted by the Church’s focus on material domination, wealth accumulation, and earthly power rather than spiritual enlightenment.

In part two of this chapter we will discuss how the corruption of this Devine connection is apparent within the church and manifest itself on each one of the Qliphoth. 

As Always I would like to give a sincere  thanks to my newest Patreons Mary Grassrope, Dimmy Love, and Joselyne Galaviz and of course anyone who has or is supporting my work. I love you all. If you would like to be mentioned in the comments just follow the link below and become a Patreon. Even if you can only pledge one dallar. It all really helps to keep the content coming.

Patreon.com/themadwitch 

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

Hitchens: People want to pray, you can’t stop them. But we cannot have state subsidized prayer. We cannot have state subsidized preachers or chaplains.

Give it up, or give it to your deadliest enemy and pay for the rope that will choke you.

This is very urgent business, ladies and gentlemen, I beseech you: resist it while you still can and before the right to complain is taken away from you, which will be the next thing.

You will be told, you can’t complain – because you’re Islamophobic. The term is already being introduced into the culture, as if it’s an accusation of race hatred or bigotry, whereas it’s only the objection to the preachings of a very extreme and absolutist religion.

Watch out for these symptoms. They are not just symptoms of surrender, very often ecumenically offered to you by men of God in other robes, Christian and Jewish and smarmy ecumenical. These are the ones who hold open the gates for the barbarians. The barbarians never take a city until someone holds the gates open to them. And it’s your own preachers who will do it for you, and your own multicultural authorities who will do it for you.

Resist it while you can. And if you wonder what will happen if you don't, look and see how a cricket team in Middlesex in England had to change its name by force last week because it was called, and had been for years, the Middlesex Crusaders. Look and how stories about little pigs can’t be taught to children in English schools anymore, lest offense be taken by the religions of peace.

Resist it while you can.

-

Starmer: One of the things that's coming up over and over again is Islamophobia and well, you can see by the stats, you can see the numbers rising, particularly since October the 7th, although we shouldn't fall into the trap of thinking that before October the 7th, this was all heading in the right direction. It's been far too high for far too long. Clearly, we need to just say over and over again, Islamophobia is intolerable. It can never, ever be justified and we have to continue with a zero-tolerance approach, and I think there's more we can do in government. There's certainly stuff online, which I think needs tackling much more robustly than it is at the moment.

Q: What I'm hoping, Keir, is your experience as a prosecutor means you'll be thinking about the strategy we can use to make sure we take action against those who break the law.

==

The UK is in very big trouble. There are weekly antisemitic parades through London calling for the eradication of Israel and the Jews, but Starmer's big concern is the imaginary dragon of "Islamophobia." That you are not allowed to oppose or even question Islam or its tenets or its unending and ever escalating demands. That disagreeing with and opposing Islam is itself - or should be - a criminal offence.

Reminder: opposing the imposition of Islamic demand and concessions to fragile Islamic sensibilities is not "bigotry." It's completely reasonable, sensible and necessary.

[channeledhistory]

The fragility of the truce between Israel and Hamas was laid bare on Saturday, after Israel accused Hamas of withholding a hostage, prompting a halt in the movement of Gazan civilians back to their homes in the north.

The ceasefire deal was already a brittle agreement, with Israeli statements often calling it a “framework” as opposed to a deal.

Tensions escalated this week when 29-year-old Arbel Yehud, a civilian who Israel says should have been freed Saturday, was not among the four women released. Israel, in turn, did not allow Gazan civilians to return north past the Netzarim Corridor, which was meant to take place Saturday under the ceasefire and hostage deal.

Complicating the matter is that Yehud is not being held by Hamas. A senior source in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ), another militant group in the Strip, told CNN that it is holding Yehud and that she “will be released under the terms of the agreed-upon prisoner exchange deal.” Both Hamas and Israel have accused the other of failing to stick to their end of the bargain, raising questions about how well the ceasefire that took more than 15 months to reach would hold. [...] Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Saturday that “Hamas didn’t fulfil the agreement in terms of its obligation to return civilians first,” adding that “we will insist that Arbel Yehud return” along with the rest of the hostages. Hundreds of displaced people were seen fleeing in panic after the Israeli military opened fire on Saturday to prevent them from crossing into northern Gaza to return to their homes [...] Hamas said that Israel “continues to procrastinate in implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement and the prisoner exchange by maintaining the closure of al-Rasheed Street and preventing the return of displaced persons walking from the south to the north.” [...]

[lifegoesonevenifeverybodyisgone]

Reverse 1999 Dream I Had

I dreamed I was in Windsong’s POV (meaning Windsong did stuff, and my dream’s “camera” always followed her around), and she took Avgust and Vila to a fishpond. The other people in the suitcase were there but I don’t recall all of them. All I know is that there was maintenance in the different clear pools, and Shamane was working on it. Avgust asked Shamane how he could help, and Shamane taught the boy how to make fences. Windsong let him go for a little while since she was busy talking to the owner of the fishpond (which is most likely a R1999 character that I cannot remember the face of) regarding its features.

The fishpond apparently is connected directly to the ocean (like my family's one), and the water is surprisingly clear. There were accommodations in the fish pond where families could stay the night over (like a motel). After Windsong heard their entire marketing talk, Vila left to go swimming, so Windsong checked on Avgust. To her surprise, Avgust basically remodeled the entire fishpond while she was having that conversation.

It was so remodeled that there were walkways, bridges, and fences, and it looked really professional. She found Avgust at some point while walking there, but to my understanding, he was tired AF. I think Shamane lifted him and took him back to the family accommodation so he could rest. Windsong, finding a moment of peace for herself, decided to go out for a swim and enjoy the different stuff that Avgust had built.

While swimming from pond to pond, she encountered a tip-off point that the other members believed to contain sharks, so they avoided it. It was deeper than the regular waters, and it was facing the ocean. Since it was feared, nobody would go near it. Windsong knew that you have more chances to die in a car crash than to be killed by a shark and decided to swim there. I heard her thoughts: she was looking for a "different" type of shark.

When she dived right in, I heard a melodious singing. It was Vila! They were planning to meet here all along (and I was basically Windsong's brain bug that had to witness all of that). Vila was in her mermaid form and beckoned Windsong to come over. Windsong did not hesitate and immediately swam to cling to Vila. Like that girl snuggled to her the entire time and didn't let go. Then things got a bit raunchy since they started making out. Vila held Windsong in the water enough that she could breathe while swimming around, while Windsong wanted to kiss her to the point of not breathing at all. Vila was very attentive and was concerned if she was drowning Windsong and pulled back time to time to allow her to breathe.

Then at some point, it turned sexual? I was shocked by where my dream was headed, so my dream camera closed itself so it wouldn't see most of what was going on. The next thing I know, Windsong was butt naked and she got herself a towel to cover up. She was standing in front of the accommodation already (seeing her wet footsteps, I can infer that she waddled her entire way back).

Weirdly enough, my little sister was in that dream, too. She was chatting with Windsong regarding her knowledge of Islamic cultures because she has a Morrocan friend (my sister did not have a Morrocan friend in real life, only a Muslim one). Windsong only nodded, but she was not actually paying attention. Her mind was in a daze. She excused herself and went inside her room to fix herself up. After she changed, I finally saw where Avgust was at. He was knocked out, sleeping in Windsong's bed.

Windsong slowly approached her bed and laid down next to Avgust. It started to rain outside, which reminded Windsong of the Storm. She felt a chill of fear imagining what could have happened if the kids were at Rayashki at that time and stared at the sleeping Avgust intensely for some time. His hair was covering a part of his eye (lol like Windsong), so she brushed it off with her fingers, gently cradling his face as if he was a fragile thing that could easily break. She kissed his forehead, and his sleeping body hugged her back. I think they hugged for a long time since it started in the afternoon and the next scene was night.

Around nighttime, I heard a commotion in the living room. Recoleta was sprawled across the floor since Aleph beat her in a card game. I think Lopera, Centurion, and Argus were part of the same game, too. Yeah, that's all I remember. I wrote this all down the instant I woke up.

Can you tell me what the dream possibly means?