The World is not 'Round'

Many friends of mine got an arranged marriage in their 14. yet, I was so into studying, especially in English class. My English teacher said that the language would be very important in the future. I could work or apply for an overseas scholarship for a better life. My parents were in poverty, and did not even have electricity; nevertheless, I made it through university to study English literature, in which I was supported by a religious muslim community that unwittingly dragged me deep into their teaching.

Shortly, I was completely integrated in it, and took every teaching for granted. I blindly became religious and kind-hearted to people from the same religion, particularly from the same community. But, discrediting other beliefs/religious communities, especially the Jews, was a part of the propaganda. Everything seemed right.

In February 2007, I got my first chance to participate in a youth program, in the UK, where I met youths from the UK, the US, Palestine and Israel. It was a golden moment where I could meet my ‘siblings’ from Palestine. I was surrounded by a massive excitement in London Heathrow, though I lost my luggage. The airport officer said that it would be sent to my contact address in London. It did not make me less excited, but it really did when I found out that Noa was my roommate in the program guesthouse.

She was in the Israeli army. I was completely not communicative, not interactive with her either. However, losing my luggage really mattered. I had no adequate jackets, no socks, not even a sachet of shampoo; at least until the program provided them. She then started unloading her luggage, and stopped for a moment to say:
‘Hey, I have spare scarf and socks for you. And feel free to use my shampoo too’. We ended up exchanging stories about our life, our being as religious believers and citizens. It left me an intrusive feeling that reevaluated my life, my belief.

This world is not only round. It could be like a box, or a triangle.