I was especially pleased that you chose to tell the story of Huda Zaqqut, whose life feels “like a miracle” in spite of the hardships of living in Gaza. I appreciated that you pointed out that Gaza is “like a prison”, closed “on all sides” due to Israel and Egypt’s blockade.
June 16, 2023
To:
Fares Akram, Journalist, Associated Press
Josef Federman, News Director, Associated Press
Dan Taylor, Managing Editor, CTV News
Dear Mr. Akram, Mr. Federman, and Mr. Taylor,
I am writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org ) to express my appreciation regarding your article: "After long waits, new pilgrims prepare for Hajj’s return, the first major one since Covid-19”, published in CTV news on June 15.
Thank you for painting such an intimate portrait of the three pilgrims and describing so beautifully what the hajj means to each of them.
I was especially pleased that you chose to tell the story of Huda Zaqqut, whose life feels “like a miracle” in spite of the hardships of living in Gaza. I appreciated that you pointed out that Gaza is “like a prison”, closed “on all sides” due to Israel and Egypt’s blockade.
You also included a detailed and vivid description of the challenging journey to Mecca via Egypt. How much safer, cheaper and faster this journey would be if Israel allowed Palestinians like this elderly pilgrim to travel via Ben- Gurion airport.
Thank you for giving us a glimpse in the life of the pilgrims as they prepare for their long-hoped for journey.
Sincerely,
Renée A. Nunan-Rappard
CJPME Saskatoon,
Lanigan, Saskatchewan.