What is a ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ you ask? And why does it look like a bad ass ๐ watermelon? And why on Earth would/should you wish to orbit around such fruit-based literature?
All very valid questions I agreeโฆ๐ค
Well, let me explain... And No! We will NOT be cooking together or sharing juicy watermelon recipes! I am NO Martha Stewart... Do not even try to go down that rabbit hole with me, you will lose and we will both be famished...
The watermelon is a symbol of Palestinians' public expression in protests and artworks, representing the struggle against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Source: Wikipedia
You see the Palestinian flag ๐ต๐ธ has historically been banned by Israel ๐ฎ๐ฑ on our land, since its very first outlaw post the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel seized control of the West Bank and Gaza, and annexed East Jerusalem. At the time, the Israeli government made such public displays of the flag a criminal offense punishable in both Gaza and the West Bank.. (swell guys huh?)
Another fun fact for ya! Palestinians are also forbidden from collecting rainwaterโฆbecause Israel (with all their morality, surely youโve heard them echo that sentiment themselves multiple times by now) deem it to be their propertyโฆ and their property aloneโฆ
And Yes, OUR flag, for I am a Palestinian Refugee, perhaps the most tragic kind of human being to exist it feels likeโฆ (sorry I digress) Regardless, I share briefly the origins behind that tale in my first published article โHappy New Shit ๐ฅโโฆ
Enjoy ๐ค
And as for the term ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ itself, well thatโs just a good olโ fashioned translation of the word Watermelon from English to Afrikaans, a language native to South Africa ๐ฟ๐ฆ
Disclaimer: I owe FULL credit of the clever name selection to my baby bro Karim, who in no simpler terms, is my heart, my everything โฅ๏ธ. And he resides in the United Arab Emirates ๐ฆ๐ช along with the rest of my immediate familyโฆ (Shukran habeebi ๐) Heโs pictured here below with my elder sister Nahlaโs dog, who for no REALLY GOOD reason (to me) is also named Nahla. And yes, it does get confusingโฆ a lot... sighโฆ
And why the translation? Because we (Palestine), owe an unbelievable debt of gratitude to South Africa. For on December 29 2023, โSouth Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the โGenocide Conventionโ) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Stripโ
And maybe lastly of all, youโre curious about me? The person behind the screen, behind the words...
Well, thank you for askingโฆ โบ๏ธ
My name is Najwan Abdul Wahab, and beyond my first article and connected socials (which you may peruse at your own leisure to learn more about my mind and heart), I am just a very sad lady reallyโฆ
I wish so much for this world to be better, kinder, safer. For people to actually be empathetic and caring (and so very less ignorant and arrogant). I hope you will help ease the burden of heart break by lighting up this world in our colors ๐ต๐ธ!! Showing everyone, most especially our people, suffering unimaginable Hellsโฆ your solidarity, you support, your humanity (link below, I beg you please ๐)
And if thatโs not compelling enough, maybe .. do it to look โcoolโ ๐โฆ like meโฆ ? โบ๏ธ
I hope you will consider subscribing to my publication for full real-time access. Every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. And for a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, consider getting the Substack app.
And finally, maybe with all these considerations.. you might also consider joining us? Being a part of the community here on this platform. Along the many greats like who recently made the pivot himself and with that, erected a new media company,. One that offers the worldโs truths for consumption (what a novel idea),a far cry and welcomed reprieve from the slanted biased hypocritical nature of what the West deems and serves as โnewsโโฆ (no thank you, I lost my appetite for BS a very long time ago)
I believe in fact, I was this old โฌ๏ธโฆ give or take some.. you knowโฆ ๐ค
Thank you and Shukran for stopping by, hope to see you again soonโฆ
Butttttโฆ. before you go! (this bit added Saturday June 29, 2024)
I ask your help (please ๐)
Pledge, run, walk, share, support my campaign(s) for Falastin โฌ๏ธ
UNRWA_Naj: https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org/fundraiser/5608749
UNRWA_Waatlemoen: https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org/team/589957
Shukran โฅ๏ธ
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