By: Malak Hasan
RAMALLAH, January 5, 2015 (WAFA) – Rashid wanted to name our boy 'Sameer' and I chose to name my little girl 'Sarah'. We dreamt of a small house in my most favorite city in the entire world, Nablus. We agreed that eventually we would move to a bigger house, because a small one would not accommodate all the antiques that I will collect. I also wanted a small garden to plant roses, lemon and mint for tea. I had hope once, but all I have now is disappointment.
Dalia Shurab, a 32 year-old Palestinian from the Gaza Strip’s city of Khan Younis, lives three hours away from Rashid Fuda, her 35 year-old fiancé who lives in the West Bank’s city of Nablus. Despite the relatively short distance, their fairy tale might be doomed to complete failure. Dalia and Rashid have been engaged for four years now, but only been with each other in person for a total of six days.
They first met virtually through Facebook and have been speaking ever since. Their relationship grew, but the sharp borders, the Israeli occupation and the absurd three hours between Khan Younis and Nablus stopped them from meeting in person.
Until one day when Rashid saw a Facebook status saying that Dalia is in Jordan. Realizing that this might be his only chance to fulfill the dream, Rashid took off to Jordan in pursuit of Dalia and visited her at her aunt’s house. After asking for her hand in marriage from her father over the phone, Rashid’s dream was begging to become a reality.
That was four years ago. Dalia and Rashid never meant to prolong their engagement, a decision that many other couples choose to make; they simply had no choice.
Dalia says: “I feel that I am different; I see all other girls around me getting engaged, going out with their fiancés, throwing nice parties and living the time of their lives. Sometimes I wish I would just die to stop the pain.”
Their only way of communicating is over the phone or Skype. Dalia says, “Days pass by without seeing each other, because we have no power in Gaza. It has been a month since I last saw Rashid. When he sees photos of me and videos of events that I join, he is ecstatic and starts sharing everything on his Facebook wall.”
Dalia has been stuck in the Gaza Strip for over four years even though she has tried everything possible to travel to the West Bank to get married to Rashid. She sought help from local and international human rights organizations, high ranking Palestinian officials, legislative council lawmakers, Ministers and even the president Mahmoud Abbas himself.
She said: “I tried to go to the West Bank multiple times but without any success. I used to apply to many conferences to get a permit, but I would always get rejected. It hurts to see others from countries abroad having access to your own country while you are treated like an outcast.”
Dalia finally decided to seek the help of social media activists, because she almost lost all hope of being united with Rashid. Dalia with the help of her best friend launched the Hashtag “Take the Bride to the Groom, Mr. President” to send out a message to Abbas that she needs his help.
“We have so much in common, me and Rashid. We both love electronics and photography, we love the same songs, we have the same dreams and aspirations and we like to discuss the same topics.”
Dalia reached a point where she thought about giving up. After years of unrelenting attempts to unite with Rashid, Dalia has lost all hope.
'Rashid's birthday is in two days,' sighed Daila. 'I think we will celebrate over the phone, because the power is cut.'
She said that before getting engaged, they were not worried about borders and moving to the West Bank, because a high ranking official from Nablus promised Rashid to help Dalia move to the West Bank or issue her a permit.
That person and many others who once promised to help abandoned Dalia, Rashid and their dream.
Rashid was willing to leave his work and live with Dalia in Gaza, but she refused because she graduated 10 years ago and still can’t find a decent job. She says, “There is no life in Gaza. You can’t find work and you can’t travel abroad to pursue higher education.”
Rashid had hoped that if the reconciliation is ever realized, they would be able to reunite. Rashid even saw hope in the war on Gaza. He told Dalia that once the war is over, restrictions over borders might be lifted and she might be able to move to the West Bank.
Dalia said with a shaken voice: “We chose the songs for our wedding and the invitation cards. Rashid printed the cards and sent them over to me. If I ever get married in the West Bank I will be alone. My mother wouldn’t be able to be with me on my special day.”
“When I think about the future, I am disappointed. Four years of my life have been wasted. My dreams, ambition and plans for a brighter future were frozen.”
In pain, Dalia said “I do not think I will recover anytime soon. I wish my efforts would work, but I am afraid to hope. I am simply afraid to suffer yet another disappointment.”
M.H
