As a wife, a mother, and above all a woman like you, I am writing you this letter, at the eve of the New Year 2009, to share with you my hope of a more peaceful future for this world that we all share, love and cherish. I dream of a world where there is no divide, no dispute, and no bloodshed among the diversified communities. I hope to see an end to misery, famine, violence, and injustices, resulting from human shortcomings.
An Open Letter to the First Lady to-be of the United States of America, Mrs. Michelle Obama
LET’S DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT: ENOUGH IS INDEED ENOUGH!!
Dear Mrs. Obama,
First and foremost, I hope that it is not too late to congratulate you and your husband on the historical victory during the recent US Presidential Election in November.
As your husband, the President Elect Mr. Barrack Obama has correctly indicated in his speech on the memorable night of his triumph, there are indeed a lot of hope for future changes under his administration, and those changes will, hopefully, positively affect the United States and the world.
As a wife, a mother, and above all a woman like you, I am writing you this letter, at the eve of the New Year 2009, to share with you my hope of a more peaceful future for this world that we all share, love and cherish. I dream of a world where there is no divide, no dispute, and no bloodshed among the diversified communities. I hope to see an end to misery, famine, violence, and injustices, resulting from human shortcomings.
Mrs. Obama,
A better and peaceful world will only be possible if we, as a world community, could solve the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people. The Palestinian issue is no longer the concerns of the Palestinians or the Muslims only. It is indeed a fundamental issue that questions the integrity of mankind at its core. The extend of human loss and sufferings, economic wastage, and social wreckage in Palestine is beyond words. The recent Israeli attack on Gaza has claimed hundreds of innocent lives of children, women and men, and the body count is increasing by the hour. Such a tragic event, at the start of a New Year, is a huge challenge to all of us who dare to dream of a better world.
The country that your husband will officially lead in January 20th had, over the years, played a crucial and instrumental role in prolonging this conflict. I only wish that your husband and his new government could make a major difference in this international affair, and only then could he convince the world that he is the best man for the job.
As a wife and mother, I am certain you could imagine the sadness, pain, anxiety, and desperation experienced by the Palestinian mothers now. Let us do something, Michelle. You and I know so well how much Barrack is indebted to the Israel lobbyists in the recent election in order for him to win. Whatever it is, he is now THE President of USA. There must be something he could do about this. The concern here is whether he WOULD actually do what he SHOULD to bring peace to the world. The choice would be entirely his to make and the burden would be his to carry forever.
On behalf of a group of concerned Malaysian women, I am asking you to show your solidarity with the Palestinian women and children. Let us together send out a clear message that we would not tolerate this sufferings and injustices anymore. Stop all atrocities on the Palestinian people! Enough is enough!
Sincerely yours,
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harlina Halizah Siraj
National Head of Women Section, Islah Society of Malaysia (JIM)
January 1st, 2009
