The image of 12-year-old Mohammed Al Durra being shot by Israelis as his father desperately tried to shelter him shocked the world and sparked international protest against Israeli violence. Still, however, the killing continues.
On the evening of Wednesday, May 23, the young boy became even more a symbol of Lebanese and Arab solidarity with the Palestinian people and their Intifada, as Charbel Rouhana launched the song Lest We Forget about Mohammed Durra. All proceeds from sales will go directly to Palestinian hospitals and medical centers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to thisiscyberia.com.
The song sets to music a poem by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. It tells the moving story of Durra’s last moments, “nestling in his father’s lap like a bird fearful of the sky’s hell” and expresses the sadness of lost childhood, as well as anger and defiance in the face of Israeli oppression. Rouhana composed the music, while the song is sung by Julia Qassar.
“I never intended to adapt a Mahmoud Darwish poem on the Palestinian cause,” Rouhana told thisiscyberia.com, “but the brutal killing of Mohammed Durra has opened too many wounds.” He added that he read the poem in a newspaper and placed it on his desk along with the picture of Durra for inspiration.
The project was initiated by Zoya Rouhana, president of the Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Women.
“We cannot dissociate violence against women from violence in general,” she said. “When there’s violence against a whole community, including women and children, it’s natural for us to get involved.” – Albawaba.com
