SIDON, Lebanon: A peculiar, indiscernible smell reigns in the
Middle East’s most notorious Palestinian refugee camp: the odor of deep sorrow
mixed with devastating poverty.
But the residents of Ain al-Hilweh are known for a rare kind of
optimism and a smile that never abandons their faces. Wearing the typical
Palestinian outfit, a linen abaya and the legendary keffiyeh on the head, Hajj
Abu Mahmoud laments the camp’s deplorable situation, which he blames on the
dominant factions. “The situation in Lebanon now is no better,” he adds.
As he recalls the plight of Palestinians and how he was forced
to leave his village of Sheikh Daoud, on the outskirts of Akka, he mentions
“the conspiracies and schemes” certain Arab countries have reserved for the
Palestinian cause.
Now Abu Mahmoud blames any security incident or tension inside
Ain al-Hilweh on Islamist factions.
“I don’t trust them they have distorted the true essence of
Islam,” says the old man, who refuses to shake hands with women.
Yet the 70-something Abu Mahmoud is hoping that unity among the
Palestinian refugees of Ain al-Hilweh will safeguard the camp and preserve
stability. “Our unity is the most effective weapon,” he says.
Established fighter Abu Jaafar says it was the legitimate right
of Palestinian refugees to carry weapons. “We don’t use those weapons to take
part in the Sunni-Shiite power struggle in Lebanon. We have nothing to do with
that,” he explains, his toddler sitting on his lap. “We carry those weapons
because we reject nationalization and want to go back home.”
Abu Jaafar hopes that tension in Lebanon will not spill over to
Ain al-Hilweh. “But if a battle is imposed on us we will fight,” he adds.
In the 90,000-people strong Ain al-Hilweh, bitter feelings
against successive Lebanese governments which have failed to provide refugees
with their most basic rights abound.
Member of Ain al-Hilweh’s Follow-up Committee Fouad Othman slams
Lebanese authorities as “racist.” “Whether it’s March 8 or March 14 dominated
Cabinets we get the same treatment.”
Activist Fadi Hujeir, who explains that Palestinian refugees
refuse to interfere in Lebanon’s domestic affairs, says that Lebanese
authorities would receive a warm welcome if refugees were granted their rights
and treated humanely.
“When social
justice is applied we will welcome and support Lebanese authorities,” Hujeir
continues.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Jun-04/175606-optimism-reigns-in-most-notorious-refugee-camp.ashx#axzz1wo3ftXPo
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