On the assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh and resurrection

The Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was assassinated by Israeli forces on May 11 at the Jenin refugee camp. The following post commemorating Shireen Abu Akleh has four parts. First, there is a brief statement by a Palestinian friend on the article by Amer Zahr. The article follows, and following that is a photograph of Shireen Abu Akleh and a statement from Birzit University. We end up with another post from other friends in Palestine that I will not edit.

This is an example of resurrection, I think. An innocent person has been martyred and the Israeli military, representing the idols of death, continues to inflict hardships and repression on the Palestinian people and deny responsibility for the killing. But the people feel a stirring within themselves that they have felt before, and there is a cry for justice in Palestine and around the world. Birzit University has not let Shireen Abu Akleh die without notice or consolation, but keeps her memory alive by creating a scholarship in her name. The people mourn her, but they also talk of her as a martyr. She returns to life through Birzit University's efforts, the Palestinian resistance, and the solidarity of people around the world,

If it matters, Shireen Abu Akleh is a Christian. Amer Zahr explains below why we speak of  Shireen Abu Akleh in the present tense.    

Wanted to make sure you know our news. Sharing reflection by Amer Zahr because I agree with his words whole heartedly. (American-Palestinian comedian/activist who has performed at Taybeh Oktoberfest)

Shireen

May 11, 2022

Today, Israel assassinated Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Shireen is the face of Palestine for Al-Jazeera, the world’s most-watched Arabic-language media outlet.

Early this morning, she dressed in her press vest and helmet to once again cover the everyday horrors of Palestinian life under brutal occupation.

To be clear, Shireen was not simply executed by a single bullet precisely delivered by a single sniper. She was executed by a racist apartheid movement built on the notion that Palestinians are foreigners in our own land. Based on the belief that we don’t deserve life. And if you’re American, like I am, like Shireen is, that sniper’s bullet, and his elite training, were paid for by you and me, with the full support of our leaders.

Shireen is a daughter of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. She is a voice for the voiceless. An example. She is every Palestinian’s sister. She has told the truth about Palestine for over twenty years. And today, Israel decided that she had said enough.

And yes, I will keeping talking about Shireen in the present tense. I will never say “was” about her. That’s what they want. But they don’t get to steal her from us.

And they don’t get to steal her truth either. As if on cue, Israel immediately started telling everyone she was shot by Palestinians, while a number of Palestinian eyewitnesses and fellow journalists all told the same story: There were no Palestinians, only Israeli military, in the area.

But see, this has been Israel’s game for 74 years. They have always tried to convince you that we Palestinians have all been telling the same, unchanged, coordinated lies since 1948.

While we Palestinians are really smart, no conspiracy is that good.

In the face of a rifle that sees us as unworthy of basic human life, there is only one reason we Palestinians haven’t surrendered after all this time. And that’s because the truth resides with us.

Shireen knows that. That’s why she chose her path in life. And that’s why her work will continue, no matter what happened this morning in Jenin.

That’s why we don’t say “was” about Shireen.

I have met Shireen before. I know her as smiling, supportive, radiant, and charismatic. If you hear Shireen, you will, if nothing else, learn one unmistakable truth. She loves her people. That definitely doesn’t stop today.

That’s why we don’t say “was” about Shireen.

Shireen’s family name, Abu Akleh, means someone who is wise, thoughtful, considerate, gentle. Her love for us and for Palestine embody these things. We are lucky she is one of us.

“Is” one of us. We don’t say “was” about Shireen.

We Palestinians share a bond with one another that I’m not sure others can ever understand. Yes, it is built on a shared despair, a communal suffering, and a collective loss. But most of all, it is built on a united, pure, unshakeable truth.

Shireen knows that. That’s why we don’t say “was.”

So, next time you see a Palestinian, tell them, “I’m proud of you. I love you.” Be like the best of us. Be like Shireen.

Birzit University announces the launch of the "Sherin Abu Aqla Award for Media Excellence", an annual award aimed at Palestinian journalists, aiming to encourage creativity and ethnic media work that is part of the story of Palestine.

This award, which will be announced on May 11 of each year, comes the date of the martyrdom of journalist Sherin Abu Aqla, as a tribute to her national and media role as she contributed to reaching the Palestinian voice to the world.

The University also announced the allocation of an annual scholarship in the name of Sherin Abu Aqla to an academically distinguished media student as an encouragement of academic excellence in the media under the title of "The Martyr Sherin Abu Aqlah Scholarship for Academic Excellence in the Field of Journalism and Media"..

And another post from friends in Palestine:

The house resided by Sherin Abu Aqla.
A humble house in the neighborhoods of Jerusalem, knowing that she lives alone without a husband or children, and through her salary she can live in a palace, and because she has American citizenship she can leave Palestine also and live in Wall Street or the Hawaiian Islands, for example.
Did you know that Sherin Abu Aqla supported Ramadan fast breaking for people with special needs.
Did you know that she was treating the poor and needy at her own expense
And did you know that it was stationed throughout the month of Ramadan in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Shereen was not a journalist as much as she was fighting and resisting and she got testimony shaa min shaa abi abi abi, people love for her is only divine love
(If God loves a servant, he calls in the heaven and earth, "I love someone, so love him).

Liberation Theology Reflects On Ther Christian Mission And The Meaning of The Crucifixion

 

Beyond fasting: 10 tips for a more meaningful Lent By Joe Iovino

I'm lifting this article by Joe Iovino from the United Methodist Now webpage, a great resource for Methodists and the Methodist-curious. You can sign up for an e-mail newsletter and other ways of connecting there---highly recommended!


Lent is a time for self-reflection and deepening one's relationship with God in Jesus Christ. For many this season leading up to Easter will be weeks of giving up something they enjoy. Others will spend extra time in devotions and prayer, while a few more will carry a cross or nail in their pocket as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for them and the whole world.

If those practices work for you, wonderful! Others may want to find another way of observing this holy season. Consider adopting one or more of the following creative uses of the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

1. Apologize to someone

Lent is a season of repentance. Most often we think of asking God for forgiveness from our sin, but that is only half of the story. Most sins include hurting others, which mattered to Jesus. He taught that if during worship if you "remember that your brother or sister has something against you... First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24 CEB). Lent is a great time to seek forgiveness from those we have harmed.

2. Perform random acts of kindness

Express your love for Jesus by loving others. Pay for the order of the person behind you in the drive-through. Give an extravagant tip. Carry gift cards to give away. Ask others how they are doing, then stop and listen to their responses. Share the love of Jesus in any way you can think of each day during Lent.

3. Delve into a book of the Bible

Enhance your devotions by getting to know a book of the Bible well. Read it repeatedly, at least once in a single sitting. Find articles about it. Meditate on it with a commentary. Memorize portions of it. Pray through it. Google sermons about it. Find hymns based upon it. In the six weeks of Lent, you could develop a deep understanding of a book of the Bible about which you have always been curious.

4. Serve people in need

Identify an organization with which you would like to participate. Find out what is required to become a volunteer, then sign up to serve throughout the season of Lent. When Jesus washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper, he taught that we are called not to be served, but to serve (John 13:1-17).

5. Visit the lonely

Jesus also taught his disciples to treat others as we would treat him. This included visiting those who are sick and in prison (Matthew 25:31-36). Talk to local nursing homes, children’s hospitals, prisons, senior centers or any other place where people need some human contact. Although Covid protocols may prevent in-person contact, you can send a card, make a phone call or seek another way to let someone know you care. If a facility allows for in-person visits, find out how you may visit (observing all procedures to keep everyone safe). When together, play games, look at photos albums, tell stories and enjoy those about whom Jesus said, "When you have done it for [them], you have done it for me."

6. Read Wesley's sermons about the Sermon on the Mount

These 13 sermons (see Matthew) are central to the message of John Wesley. They make up a little more than one-quarter of the fifty "Standard Sermons" he gave to his Methodist lay preachers to teach them "the essentials of true religion" ("The Sermons of John Wesley – An Introduction"). Reading these sermons will have you focused on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and give you a sense of what it means to be a United Methodist in the tradition of John Wesley.

7. Tell others you love them

Some of us struggle to say those three little words. Maybe we assume others already know how we feel. Maybe we think we show our love and don't need to say it. Or maybe we are concerned it won't be reciprocated. Fight the fear and say "I love you" to friends, family members, and everyone else you love at least once during the season.

8. Throw a party for everyone

Jesus often used the image of a party to describe the Kingdom of God. He talked about wedding receptions and banquet feasts, and participated in several large group celebrations. Host your own Kingdom party! You may choose to keep your gathering limited to family members or those with whom you regularly socialize during our pandemic era. You may choose to cook for the neighborhood or office colleagues, preparing to go containers and invite others to stop by for a take home meal. Keep this act of love festive with fun napkins and other decorations.

9. Serve in worship

Your church needs you. For those meeting in person, sing in the choir, usher, serve as a reader, work with the tech team or find some other way to serve your church. For those meeting remotely, ask your church staff how you might be able to help, including sending out cards or making phone calls to people on the church prayer list. Don't wait for someone to ask you to use your God-given gifts. Offer yourself in service to your church for the season.

10. Say "thank you"

Parents, family members, mentors, coaches, teachers, authors, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and others have shaped you into the person you are. Each week during Lent, send a note of gratitude to one of them. Tell them how much they meant to you and how they inspired you. Consider including a small gift. Even if you do not know that author or speaker personally, draft an email of thanks.

There are many ways to be observant during Lent. Be original. Find yours.

Joe Iovino works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. He may be reached at jiovino@umcom.org. Please share with him your creative ideas for observing Lent.


This story was originally posted on February 23, 2015, and updated March 21, 2022.

Can you answer this question?

Is this a fair question? Can we, or should we, separate ourselves from our origins (name) and what we have done that is useful (job), our good and not-so-good accomplishments, and our communities (friends)?