THE CANADIAN LIBYAN COUNCIL POST
Issue I December, 2011
President’s Message...... 3
Editor’s Message ...... 3
President’s Message-Arabic ...... 4
CLC: The Beginning...... 5
CLC Projects...... 7
Canada’s Role...... 8
CLC Board of Directors...... 10
CLC Saskatchewan...... 11
United We Stand, Divided We Fall ...... 13
‘Two Weeks’...... 14-15
Book Review...... 17
Freedom Soon Poem...... 18
Canadian-Libyan Martyrs ...... 19
Issue I December 2011
WELCOME
2 Issue I December 2011 President’s Message
To the CLC community, It is time for all of us to think positively towards building a Alhamdulillah with the grace of new free democratic country, a Allah SWT, the Libyan hero country that will respect human fighters, and the sincere prayers rights and values its citizens. of our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and children we smell the It is time for Canadian-Libyan beautiful air of freedom. professionals to share their professional experiences to help People in Libya are now happier, Libya become one of the most despite the lack of food, water advanced countries in the word. and other necessities. Now it is our duty as Canadian-Libyans to I thank Allah SWT for giving us “It is time for all the help Libya to our fullest the opportunity to see a new Canadian-Libyans to capacity. It is time for all the Libya, a Libya without Gaddafi Canadian-Libyans to come and his family. come together and be together and be united regardless united regardless of our of our differences. We should Dr. Adel Esayed differences.” look to what benefits Libya and CLC, President the people of Libya first before looking to anything else.
Editor’s Message
To the CLC community, like to thank all the contributors to this issue and to those who helped to The past few months have been put this newsletter together. If you an emotional tide to say the would like to contribute to the CLC least. The CLC community has newsletter, would like to become part been working tirelessly during of the team, or have any suggestions this time. Despite our or comments, please email differences, we have come [email protected] together for a common goal- to see Libya free and rebuilding. I hope that this newsletter can Salma Shickh help bring us closer as a community. It will be a way to gather our thoughts and to recap our accomplishments. I would
3 Issue I December 2011
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ΪϴδϟϝΩΎϋΩ ΔϴΒϴϠϟΔϳΪϨϜϟΔϴόϤΠϟβέ
4 Issue I December 2011 CLC: The Beginning
By: Nada Basir The CLC has struggled in the past few months to reach where it has today. In the span of 6 months this February 15, 2011. A date we will never forget. We organization has picked up members from across watched in complete horror as Libyans protesting for Canada, has had free democratic elections, and has a better life, for freedom, for dignity, were met with become the go-to organization for anything to do bullets, machetes, and machine gun fire. Regardless with Libya for all major media outlets and of the thousands of miles in between, we could not politicians. We have been quoted and/or mentioned just sit and watch the horror happen in front of their in dozens of articles, our policy recommendations eyes. have been referred to in meetings of parliament regarding major decisions including Canada’s Although many of us were itching to go back to support in the NATO mission, and we have been Libya and fight with our heroes, we realized that invited to meetings with key Canadian political there was a job to be done outside of Libya. In the players, including the Foreign Affairs Minister John 42 years of their occupation, the Gadaffi regime Baird himself, the former Canadian NATO deprived Libyans of the very essence of civil society Ambassador, and leader of the Liberal party. Six and the right to organize and congregate. But in the months ago as I sat there with a friend mapping out wake of the revolution, a group of Libyan Canadians, the organization on paper napkins, I never imagined from different generations and different professional we would be working with over 300 members, the backgrounds realized that we needed to do phone ringing with media requests, and high ranking something, and we needed to do it now. DFAIT officials asking to meet. We have had our The founding of the CLC took place at an office as a bumps in the road, and continue to confront frantic lawyer made up a letterhead to put on a letter obstacles, but mountains are not meant to be moved she was about to present to a Member of Parliament, easily. Libya is free, all praise to Allah, and Libyans it took place over dinner as two friends sat and have made their mark in history and to the world. All discussed how they can help the dire situation in eyes will be on Libya and Libyans across the globe Libya, and it took place in a basement with a group for years to come. This is when the real work begins. of men gathered around brainstorming what needs to So let us role up our sleeves and get to work. be done now. What did these people have in common? The desire to do something, and the realization that to mobilize and be taken seriously you need to organize. These forces joined together and the Canadian Libyan Council was born.
5 Issue I December 2011
CLC NEWS AND EVENTS
6 Issue I December 2011 CLC Youth Projects
By: Amirah Momen Summer Volunteer Program The CLC Youth Group is organizing a summer volunteer program for the many Canadian-Libyan youth that will be travelling to Libya next summer to reunite with their families. This is a time of rebuilding in Libya and it is in our opinion that the greatest need will be expertise and skills-both of which our youth possess a great wealth of. We are working on a project whereby youth members from our community can put their respective skills, whether they be in science, sports or writing to good use by linking them with specific organizations, hospitals and summer camps and acting as a liaison between our youth and organizations in need of their help. This will give our youth a chance to volunteer their time to the rebuilding efforts in their second home, serving not only as a great experience for our youth but allowing them to contribute to the rebirth of our beloved Libya.
CLC Professionals Conference Canadian-Libyan professionals will be coming together in the spring of 2012 for a mass dialogue on the many issues facing Libya. This conference is geared towards efforts to brainstorm the many ways our community’s expertise and skills can be used to aid in a swift and successful rebuilding of our beloved Libya. Canadian-Libyan youth are invited to contribute their own knowledge and skills to the task at hand: rebuilding Libya into a great nation that reflects the quality of its people. Youth will be invited to contribute to the various discussions which will be organized by sector such as medical and education. In addition there will also be an opportunity for the youth to network with other Canadian-Libyan youth from across Canada and work on possible projects (in addition to helping in organizing the summer volunteer program).
7 Issue I December 2011 Canada’s Role in the Humanitarian Mission
Pictured from left: Dr. Mansour Bendago, Dr. Abdala Shmesa, John Baird, Bev Oda, Salheen The CLC was invited to a roundtable discussion by the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird. Present at the meeting was Mr. Baird himself, the Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, who accompanied the Minister on his trip to Benghazi, the Canadian Ambassador to Libya, Ms. Sandra McCardell, Mr. Salheen Gheriani, CLC Chair, Dr. Mansour Bendago, CLC VP Outreach, Dr. Abdalla Shmesa and Dr. Adel Dayub, who just returned from Libya, and representatives from the major international NGOs including the Red Cross, Rights and Democracy, and CARE. The meeting was a chance to discuss the current humanitarian situation in Libya, Canada's role in assisting, and determining how the CLC can help.
The CLC made the following requests: 4. Expedite processing the application for charitable status made by new non-for-profits in Canada that 1. Invite a member of the NTC to visit Canada and are directed towards assisting with the current officially inaugurate the embassy under crisis in Libya. the Libyan freedom flag, and discuss further cooperation between the two countries. 5. Similar to Italy and Qatar, request that Canadian government set up a Field Hospital in Libya using 2. Release Libyan frozen assets in Canada to be Canadian expertise. used to help alleviate the suffering and help prevent a larger humanitarian crisis. We 6. Help in providing vaccines and other medications encourage the Canadian government to explore and equipment in the field such as orthopedic various methods for this money to reach surgery, neurosurgery and general surgery, areas Libyans in need, including using the funds as that are in great need at the moment. guarantees for loans issued to the NTC. 7. Facilitate Visas for those victims, especially 3. In the absence of non-for-profit organizations children, who have been severely injured during for the Libyan community at this stage, request the war. the Canadian government to match donations made to help the Libyan cause. 8. Continue supporting the NATO mission until civilians are no longer in danger.
8 Issue I December 2011
CLC CHAPTERS
9 Issue I December 2011
CLC Elections and Chapters
CLC Board of Directors
On May 28th 2011 the first Annual General Meeting for the Canadian Libyan Council took place on in Mississauga, Ontario. Libyans across Canada came together to elect a Board of Directors. The event began with a Quran recitation and was followed by a discussion of the CLC and question and answer session. The election was overseen by an election committee.
CLC Board: Pictured from left: Abdulatif Bakbak-Member (Mississauga, ON), Salhin Gheriani-Chair (Toronto, ON), Maha Zawi-Secretary (Mississauga, ON), Fairuz Shickh-Member (Whitby, ON), Ali Mihirig-Member (Vancouver, BC), Ahmed Aboudheir-Vice Chair (Regina, SK), Abdurrahman Eddeb – Treasurer (Mississauga, ON) Not pictured :Adel Esayed- President (Mississauga, ON)
10 Issue I December 2011
CLC Saskatchewan Chapter
By: Fauzi Ramadan
On June 19th, 2011 members of CLC in Saskatchewan met to establish the Saskatchewan chapter. During this meeting the CLC was introduced and its objectives noted by Mr. Ahmed Aboudheir (CLC Vice President) and Dr. Mohamed Abdulhadi (CLC member). They also answered questions raised by attendees. Mr. Salheen Gheriani (CLC President) addressed the attendees through a phone-conference. Following this the election of the board committee was completed. The CLC Saskatchewan chapter also organized a collection of donation to send a container full of clothes to Libya and an Eid Dinner for the Libyan community in Regina
CLC Saskatchewan Board: Pictured from left: Fauzi Ramadan-Chair, Waleed Em- Treasurer, Soheil Emabrouk-Secretary Not pictured : Eman Abdulhadi, Salima Mohammed, Eman Ramadan
11 Issue I December 2011
OPINIONS
12
United We Stand, Divided We Fall: July 13th 2011
By: Hanin Bengezi “God is great, God is great and all thanks are for God.” These are the words resonating through the city tonight. This is not a new tradition but a daily one that begins before sunset prayers and ends when the call to prayer is recited. But as I sit writing, these powerful words of God continue to be recited tonight. Last night a representative in contact with besieged cities in Western Libya relayed news that the freedom fighters are close to Tripoli. This resulted in excitement and optimism that translated into late night prayers and takbirs spreading throughout “No to disorder, Libya is one mosques and squares of Eastern Libya. tribe...One nation, one country, Tripoli is our capital”-Posters in This is the least my people have done in support of Benghazi our capital Tripoli, and cities of Misratah, Zawia, Western Mountains, Gheryan. The sense of unity assist with collecting aid, weapons, and arms for our and connectedness I have witnessed within the two struggling cities. Free Libya channels have weeks I have been here is for the eyes to see and the dominated television sets and radios everywhere, all heart to feel. Signs calling for unity fill Benghazi’s ears waiting for the extraordinary moment when streets. Poetry, songs, and speeches calling for Libya’s freedom becomes a celebratory reality. freedom of our struggling western cities fill Benghazi’s courthouse. Hands are raised high as the “Why doesn’t Benghazi start school for children?” I imam recites prayers calling for the destruction of asked, “Look at Misratah, most of their schools have the tyrant’s regime, and tears are wept as prayers call started.” This was an issue that lingered my thoughts for the freedom of our besieged cities. for a while, but not anymore. “Misratah is in a state of war,” I was told, “their kids are mentally in need “We are one hand, one heart,” says one protester, of educational and interactive programs to relieve “Libya won’t be free until our dear capital is free.” them from the harsh realities of war. Here in the east Such are the ideals of unison my people continue to we find it difficult to go back to school meanwhile live by as the struggles rages on. Men and youth the west is struggling.” Unity and support have dream of being on the frontlines along with our become a priority for a nation that was denied of it heroes in western Libya. The lucky ones who for 42 years. Words of praise and love, for our managed to reach the frontlines dream of dying in struggling cities, linger through every tongue and dignity and honour for a free and united Libya. Just touch many hearts. Let us be inspired, this is our a few days ago, the city of Al-Marj said its goodbyes time to come together, join hearts, and unite for to yet another hero who left it all to fight along with Libya. his brothers in Misratah. Those left behind, men and women, have joined the hundreds of organizations to
13 Issue I December 2011 Two Weeks
By: Alaa Murabit “Two weeks”. I’ve been hearing those two words for on. As the world knows Zawia was taken by th the past six months, and up until only two weeks ago Gaddafi forces on the 10 of March, the reasons are they had lost all meaning. On February 17th a very enumerable: Khamis’s 32 Brigade is only 17 km brave group of men changed the world (and yes, I away from Zawia, NATO was not yet involved – so know for non- Libyans this seems like an over over 30 tanks were deployed to the city on the th exaggeration, but just think about it). And as a evening of March 8 , and lastly, Zawia had no Canadian born Libyan I sat there thinking, well, “it’s supply lines or support, this had been a battle from about time”. However, I was not in Benghazi on the within, from the Zawian people eager for even the 17th, so I can’t write to you about the atrocities that slightest taste of freedom. went on there. I have the same knowledge as you – the same knowledge that was given to us by poor- Over the coming months Zawia was a black hole – quality videos snuck onto YouTube and other the young men captured in videos that had been websites. But I can tell you about Zawia, because uploaded onto the Internet were being taken away in only a week later, it became the first city in the West the middle of the night, over 2000 boys and men, to rise up, and this time I had a front row seat. even women, were taken from Zawia in the months that followed that first battle. Many families were so Only a half hour drive out of Tripoli (or, if you drive frightened they left, or for families like mine, where like a Libyan a 15 minute drive) and the only supply a member was wanted, they simply hid. Most route from Tunis into Tripoli, Zawia is strategically, students at the university would claim allegiance to militarily and economically important to the regime. Gaddafi – until they heard which side you were on – Zawians themselves are known for many things, one then they would show you all the videos they of which is that they tend to always be politically smuggled off of the Internet. Two young men I know discontented, in the time of King Idris they were disappeared that way. It became apparent quite some of the first to march down to Janzour and quickly that you could trust no one. The noose demand more (my dad emphasizes that they were around Zawia was so tight, and for me and most only shot at with rubber bullets). Since then Zawia ordinary civilians, these months were the hardest. has had a reputation in the West for being opposed to Soldiers were on every corner, they would search the Gaddafi regime, and by February 24th it was fully your car from top to bottom, gas would take days to controlled by the revolutionaries. For two weeks the get and electricity became increasingly sparse. To sound of mortar fire and shots were familiar, and in make matters worse Libyan TV showed these made this time my father, a Canadian trained doctor, only up rallies, of paid supporters on Zawian streets, the in Libya on vacation, volunteered at the hospital. same streets that our young men had fought so hard Being a medical student myself I begged him to go, for. And of course, everyday someone would tell you but Zawia was too dangerous for women, and “the revolutionaries are coming”, and that had to be unfortunately hospitals are almost always the worst enough to get you through. I remember watching hit. My younger brother, eager to be part of the videos of Misrata on Jazeera Mubasher and hearing revolution, spent his days, and when the city entered them ask, “Where are the revolutionaries of Zawia?” a state of complete shutdown his nights, in Martyr’s and all I could think was that nobody knew, but they Square. My mother, sister and I did what most weren’t absent for lack of trying. Zawians did for those two weeks; we watched the th news. Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC, anything that was On the morning of June 11 , I was in Zawia hospital showing even the slightest bit of information on and at around 9 am the revolutionaries finally came. Zawia, because to us the shots just meant people Not enough to win the war, not by any means, but were dying, but we had no idea which side they were just enough to let you know that in the
14 Issue I December 2011
reinforcements. Within two weeks Zawia was in
revolutionary controlled hands, and the thousands of Freedom Fighters made their now historic trip to Tripoli.
I have heard, like all others, the conspiracy theories or the misguided & egotistical remarks made by the regime and its supporters, and I do not doubt that the road to recovery for Zawia, and Libya as a whole will be a long one, but I also do not doubt that it has been well deserved, and it will not be taken for granted.
My appreciation and respect goes out not only to the “Within two weeks Zawia was in Fighters, young and old, who defended their country, revolutionary controlled hands, and the but also to their mothers, wives, and families who thousands of Freedom Fighters made supported them. Thank you, on the behalf of all Libyans, for everything you have done. their now historic trip to Tripoli.”
midst of a complete communication shutdown, we still had a chance. It is almost strange how reassuring those gunshots were to me, because it meant that at least they were there, at least they were alive, and they were ready to fight. Gaddafi forces were kept on edge for the next two months, until only three weeks ago when Zawia, and most surrounding cities on the Tunis-Tripoli supply route, rose up. Zawia was in limbo, most neighbourhoods were controlled by revolutionaries in the first few days, but many essential areas, such as the hospital, the oil refinery (the only one supplying Gaddafi’s forces and the whole western area of Libya) and the symbolic Martyr’s Square, were disputed. My father, having stayed in Libya with the hopes of seeing a free Libya, was one of the first doctors on sight, however without the hospital, there were only makeshift clinics using mats as beds and hangers as I.V. lines, it wasn’t enough. Young men were dying from non-fatal injuries because they didn’t have the basic supplies needed, and the trip to Zintan hospital was too much. However, despite not having the hospital or Martyr’s Square, this battle was different for Zawia, this time it hadn’t risen up only from within; there were resources and most importantly,
15 Issue I December 2011
ARTS
16 Issue I December 2011 A Review: In The Country of Men
By: Wafa Fiture
In Hisham Matar's In the Country of Men, a young boy, Suleiman, faces the cruel realities of living under Muammer Gaddafi's totalitarian regime. At the tender age of nine, Suleiman understands his father will soon be in trouble just as his neighbour's father was in trouble. However, he does not understand that this is due to both of their political activism. As the first-person narrator, Suleiman struggles to make sense of the events going on around him. Because he is so young, he can not understand why his mother takes “medicine” when his father is not around and why she is always “sick”. And also why his mother and father's best friend burned his father's books that he loves so much? Why does his mother become so upset when he speaks to the only adult that does not treat him as a child? This book beautifully captures Suleiman's love for his mother who intrigues him with many stories of her youth. He often finds himself feeling pity for his mother who he wants to “rescue” from her the life she is living. Suleiman’s mother is also avidly against her husband’s political activism and thinks it is best to steer clear of anything that has to do with politics. She often speaks in an angry tone when referring to her husband's activism, to her, he is only being foolish and writing his own death sentence. Suleiman’s has yet to determine where he stands in regards to this.
17 Issue I December 2011
Freedom Soon
By: Maha Zawi
Fighting against a regime, Will never be as easy as it seems. The tears and blood shed, Flood roads with the colour red. Some sit back and watch the violence unfold, Others say: "How can we do anything if we were never told?"
Break down the shield from your blinding eyes, Did it ever make you wonder what made the people rise? mothers screaming, children crying, I pray to God that no more people are dying.
The pain is too much, More than my soul can take. Someone stop this monster and give my people a break! I'll scream and yell, and only a few will hear me. How can you deny the freedom-fighters a better country?
18 Issue I December 2011
Canadian-Libyan Martyrs
By: Maimuna Aghliw helping hand, be it in community projects or with facilitating one’s entry into Libya. Abdulahamid It’s become almost like a subconscious habit; was kidnapped in the middle of May from his home turning on our electronics, be it a television, and was seen only once afterwards when he was laptop, phone, or ipad, and indulging into the latest brought into his telecommunications company at gun news about what is happening in Libya. As we do point by Gaddafi forces. Witnesses to the event say so, our eyes quickly scan through bits and pieces of that he was using crutches, which indicated that he information – an explosion here, a former Gaddafi been tortured. His family did not hear from him or member defects, lack of medical supplies there, about him until late August. After the liberation of and then our eyes meet perhaps the most nerve Tripoli, they received news that their father would wrecking section: the list of martyrs. As our never return. He had been killed along with many stomach begins to tighten and our heart rate others who had been kidnapped. Of course upon increases, we check the number, exhale, and think, receiving this heart shattering news, his family like ‘okay eight, not bad compared to last week’s forty- many of us here in Canada, had questions. When eight.’ Then we read each name slowly, was he killed? How was he killed? Where is his concentrating more on the surname than the first. body? Was he tortured? How did he die? It is We skim through the list quickly while keeping our difficult to say but after a recent telephone fingers crossed hoping that none of the names will conversation with his wife, a few of the mysteries be ones that we recognize, however at the same were solved. Abdulhamid was brutally tortured and time our heart aches because we realize that even killed not long after his kidnap, meaning he had been though we do not know the individual, they will be dead since late May. His body has yet to be extremely missed. As we move on further down uncovered and rumor has it that it may have been the list and each name becomes a mere memory,Abdel among Hamid the ones Darratthat were thrown into the we close in on the last couple of names, and that is Mediterranean Sea. It is fair to say that every time I when our heart drops to our stomach, our breathing(http://www.feb17martyrs.com/abdel- think about what Ami Abdulhamid went through, becomes difficult and our mind begins to wander.hamid-darrat/) and what his family has to go through I can’t help Number 7, the name is much too familiar. We read but cry. My heart breaks just at thought of him being it over, and are momentarily paralyzed by all thePosted on Sunday,tortured, August let28, 2011alone in English the fact that we will never get to (http://www.feb17martyrs.com/category/english/) , Martyrs feelings racing to surface. ‘No, it can’t be him.’(http://www.feb17martyrs.com/category/martyrs/) see him again. It truly is bittersweet reality; a real we think out loud, ‘please do not let it be him.’ Recommend hero1 died an honorable death. 0 Over the past six months this situation has been far too familiar for many of us and during the past few weeks two of the names on the honorable martyrs lists have been those of fellow Canadian-Libyans: Nader AlMabrook Ben Raween and Abdulhamid Alderrat. Father of seven Abdulhamid, or ‘Ami Abdulhamid as I used to call him was one of the most sincere and genuine men. Everyone who knows him can vouch that he has always been ready to lend a
(http://Feb17Martyrs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Abdel-Hamid-Darrat.jpg)
Just like his brother Dr. Ali Darrat, he was detained back in March, and killed this week in Tripoli. 19 Abdel Hamid Darrat, 46, was a “successful businessman” who has shuttled between Tripoli and Ottawa for the last 27 years.
“He was just helping people,” Ahmed Hussein said about his friend of more than 20 years.
“The whole community loved him.”
The electrical engineer, a Canadian citizen, once attended the University of Ottawa and ran a Tripoli- based telecommunications company, providing IP addresses for Internet users. Issue I December 2011
once upon a time they shopped at the same stores, walked on the same streets, ordered the same coffee and went about life here in Canada just like us makes the ordeal affect us as those we did know them personally. It forces us to think about their families, their last minutes alive, and what lessons we can learn from them because at the end of the day their sacrifice is for our future.
I never personally met 24 year old Nader however the stories I’ve heard and read about his bravery and courage have left me both speechless and in tears. Nader had been in Ottawa for the past few years, working and eventually planning on obtaining a masters degree from University of Ottawa. After the Libyan uprising on February 17th, 2011 Nader, like many others could no longer stay here and simply attend protests and raise awareness. He felt that it was his duty to actually be in Libya, on the front lines, and with that he set off to help liberate Libya in March. He first went to Benghazi where he received training, but Mr. Ben Raween was determined to be in Tripoli, and so he did not stop there. He travelled to the Western Mountains where he joined the Tripoli Brigade and finally set off to his destination. His strength of mind proved successful, as he was able to partake in liberating Tripoli and seeing his family. Three days later however, on th August 24 , a sniper in the infamous area of Bab Alazayzia shot Nader during the freedom fighters’ assault on that compound. Surely words will never be able to express the compassion we feel towards such men, however Nader and the brave men like him can rest assured, their blood will not go in vain.
Although many of us may have not known either of these two courageous men, the simple thought that
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