By Marcelle Mansour

I have known this woman Suzanne Aoun (Poet) a short time ago and I have met her only twice, first in one of the occasions of the community cultural events, and the second when she attended my Artist Floor Talk at my solo art exhibition of Threshold at Mary MacKillop Museum North Sydney.  It was very impressive that Souzan contributed to the discussion in a positive way, especially when I explained that my art has a universal message regardless to origins or ethnic religions, people with faith or no faith, for it presents humanity, unity, love, and peace.  After the talk has finished, Souzan surprisingly asked to get a souvenir photo with me beside the Holy Cross. This indicates the extent of her development and openness to other cultures and religions and the widening horizon for the sake of love and brotherhood away from fanaticism. This picture certainly indicates genuine love, respect, unity, harmony, and humanity which all leads to peace among all Australians. It is a real example of a good Australian citizen. God bless all Australians and our home Australia.

By Marcelle Mansour

I said to myself, “God forgive me hate this man. If I had hated, I must hate war” Those are Ms. Koko Kondo, one of the atomic bomb survivors that destroyed Hiroshima which occurred 70 years ago. Kondo describes the moment when the suicide bomber Colonel Paul Tibbets co-pilot of Enola Gay (Boeing B-29 Superfortress Aircraft), that hit Hiroshima, and who was shedding tears of severe reprimand of his conscience because he felt extremely guilty as a result of his actions.

When the atomic bomb exploded in Hiroshima, Ms.Kondo was only eight months old. Since then she has devoted her life to tell the story of Hibakusha – the injured people from the blast – This year, as in every year, Coco Condo will roam the streets of her hometown to talk with students about the horrors of the war disaster that hit her home and childhood. And she will share with them the humiliation that she felt when she was a teenager, especially when she stood naked on stage while the men with white robes – doctors and scientists – examining her body from the impact of radiation poisoning signs. Coco Kondo stated that she still remembers the painful incident, when the US fiancé abandoned her a few days before their wedding, for fear of exposure to radiation that may cause her inability to have children.

Kondo is a pacifist who hopes that her story will help young men and women to understand the terrible devastation felt by the victims of nuclear war. Through her intensive tours and novel stories, she is working tirelessly to reveal to the world, the way to avoid a terrible unprecedented war. The story of Ms Kondo has filled a complete edition of the New Yorker magazine in August 1946 when published for the entire year since the disaster of Hiroshima bombing, in order to make it clear to everyone how dire the destructive power of this incredible weapon, and it is imperative for all nations and peoples to reflect well, considering how terrible the effects of its use.

On the sixth day of August 1945, 70 years ago, Ms. Kondo was one of those victims of thousands of women, children and elderly who experienced the worst kind of random wars. That should be rebuked by the human conscience and should not have occurred in the first place. When the nuclear weapons’ war hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki seventy years ago – even though for only three days – it is still living in the human imagination, as if it did not end, because successive wars have not stopped yet, especially if we know that nowadays, one out of every 122 people are living in exile, they have been forced to leave their homes because of past conflicts, and that the number of people killed in conflicts from 49,000 in 2010 had risen to180, 000 in 2014. It is estimated that violence costs have risen over the past four to 13.4 percent of gross domestic product in the world. But today’s conflicts are different from World War II, for most of them being internal and not between nations – such as civil wars, insurgencies, conflicts, gangs, sectarians, fanaticism, violence and terrorism, and that take place often at the grassroots level in the civil societies, if not, some of which are being abroad for the occupation, colonization, and domination.

For all these reasons, we as human beings, individuals, societies, and nations, we should strongly and firmly believe that it is necessary to mobilize actions and support local capacities for world peace with justice. And we should always remember subjugated peoples who suffer under imperialism, colonization, and genocide, such as the people of Palestine, Iraq, Syria and the list is endless.  We must, therefore, working hard to prevent wars in the long term, and replace them with the development of appropriate solutions and direct negotiations for a radical change in the public opinion and in the feeble methods that are being practiced by some world leaders and politicians. Seeking, therefore, to achieve a just peace in the light of true humanistic values and peacebuilding with justice This is what we can aim to do.

At the same time, we should remember the horror of the atomic Hiroshima war. We should also remember its martyrs and pay tribute to the memories of the survivors and respect those living on the renewal of their stories. It is the time to remember what does humanity means and to rethink and action those wounded humanitarian concepts, which is still suffering and bleeding in complete silence.

By Marcelle Mansour

“A Bird is Not a Stone” was a wonderful literary cultural evening of Contemporary Palestinian poetry reading in five languages, held on the 20^th of July 2015, at Bush Music Hut, Addison Road Community Centre, in Marrickville Sydney. The event was organised and coordinated by Jennifer Killen, from Friends of Hebron.

“A Bird is Not a Stone”, is an exquisite book of poems, an anthology of contemporary Palestinian poetry (edited by Henry Bell and Sarah Irving), and transcreated by 25 of Scotland’s most acclaimed poets and writers into five languages. Those writers including Alasdair Gray, Liz Lochhead, James Robertson, Jackie Kay, William Letford, Aonghas MacNeacail, DM Black, Tom Pow, Ron Butlin, Christine De Luca and John Glenday.

The poems were read in Arabic, English, Gaelic, Scots and Shetlandic. Rosanna Barber, CEO Addison Road Community Centre welcomed the audience to the event, and Jennifer Killen performed the wonderful MC. A brief Introduction was made by Sarah Irving, the book editor.

The collection of the selected poems was written by the contemporary Palestinian poets included: Majid Abu Ghoush, Abdullah Abu Bakr, Samih Mohsen, Samih Farag, Zuhair Abu Shaib, Maya Abu al-Hayyat, Yousef Abu Loz, Yousef al-Mahmoud and Uthman Hussein. These poems, in general, are very expressive and have strong feelings of sadness, telling the tragic stories of the Palestinians and depicting their sufferings and horrific experiences under oppression and brutal occupation.

 The poetry reading in (Arabic) was performed by Marcelle Mansour (the writer of this journalistic report), Hilal Asmar, Sarah Shaweesh, Nahed Odeh, Sanaa Ghabar Hawraa Kash, Sameh Faraj, Omar Ghannoum.  (English) performed by Trish Berry, Lindy Nolan, Holly Quin, Nadia Zeaiter. (Gaelic): by Ruaraidh MacAonghais. (Scots) by Carol Thomas. The program also included an audio from Scotland with Abla Oudeh and Harry Giles performing “haudin the kenmark o ‘hairs’” by Faisal Qurqati in Scots and Arabic p 179.

Refreshments, food, and drinks were served. The event was concluded by auctioning the last copy of the “A Bird is Not a Stone” book. The audience was generous and the proceeds donated to Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA- to support education projects in Hebron, Palestine.

The literary event was enjoyable, interesting and very successful indeed. The poetry readers were great performers and it was interesting to listen to various languages. Thank you to all the participants and the attendees on behalf of Palestinians. A warm thank you goes to the poet/auditor of the anthology Sara Irving (who was visiting Sydney for the event) and in particular to the magnificent organiser / coordinator Jennifer Killen, from Friends of Hebron, and not to forget the SBS Arabic Radio Journalist, Saleh Saqqaf who attended and professionally coved the event and all the Australian Arabic Media of prints and online – in particular Al-ghorba.

 This fantastic combined work has proved the poetry’s ability to transcend borders and cultures and languages in order to celebrate international cultural solidarity and shared humanity.

Photos:

1-From left Hassan Fakhridin, Issa Shaweesh, Marcelle Mansour Saleh Saqqaf and Sarah Irving

2- Marcelle Mansour performer of contemporary Palestinian poetry reading

3- Sara Irving reading of her book A Bird is not a Stone

4-Jennifer Killen Coordinator of Friends of Hebron and MC

5-Lindy Nolan poetry reading performer

  In Facebook Charbel Baini SAID: https://www.facebook.com/charbelbaini?fref=ts

http://charbelbaini.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/you-are-best-Marcelle-mansour.html

“You are the best Marcelle Mansour”

Marcelle Mansour replied:

By Marcelle Mansour

The “Palestine at a Crossroads Conference” – Forum of Middle East Affairs- was held on Thursday 25 June 2015, at the New South Wales Parliament House, the Theatrette. The seminar was attended by Mr. Ahmad Farid Vice Consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Australia, and a diverse selection of elite in politics and journalism, culture, arts and business areas.

The Hon Shaoquett Moslemane MLC chaired the Seminar that included fives speeches delivered by five guest speakers as follows:
Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees, The University of Sydney – “The Power of Language in the Palestinian Political Struggle for a homeland.”. Associate Professor Dr. Peter Slezak, The University of New South Wales -“The comparative analysis of Palestinian and Jewish rights – or claimed rights to a homeland.”.  Former Associate Professor Ahmad Shboul AM, The University of Sydney – “The Inter-Arab Crisis and its Impact on the Palestine Cause.”.   H.E. Ali Kazak, Former Ambassador and Head of Delegation (Palestine) – “Is a Two-State Solution still possible?”  Mr. Tony Sabella, Journalist -“The role of the Palestinian Diaspora in the Palestinian Cause.”

The Forum was very successful. It interestingly addressed various topics and covered critical analysis. All the participant speakers received “Certificates of Appreciations” by The Hon Shaoquett Moslemane MLC.  Congratulations to all and sincere thank you goes to all the guest speakers and attendees in general.  Warm thanks go – in particular – to the Chair Hon Shaoquett Moslemane MLC who organised and hosted this important event, and for being always of a great support to the Palestinian cause.

By Marcelle Mansour

It was pleasure to attend the Australian Middle East Media Group (AME media), proudly held the 4^th Annual Gala Dinner on the 19^th of June at the Bellevue Reception, Bankstown.  In the presence of the Hon Bill Shorton –MP Leader of the Opposition; Senator the Hon Concetta Fierrvanti-Wells presenting, the message of the Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Tony Abbott; Dr Geoff Lee MP, Representative of the Premier of NSW the Hon Mike Bird; The Hon Shaoqett Moslemane MLC and His Excellency Mr Milad Road –Charge D’Affairs a.i.of the Embassy of Lebanon to Australia & representing the Arabic ambassadors council in Australia.

The MC was Mrs. Naomi Tsvirko Editor –in- Chief of El-Telegraph Weekend; the Arabic keynote speaker was Mr. Antoine Kazzi Editor -in- Chief of El-Telegraph newspaper and English keynote speaker was Mr. Barry Barakat Advisor at AMEmedia. Mr. Joe Rizk CEO of the Arab Bank Australia was the (Major Sponsor) and the music was played by the composer Mr. Alex Hadchiei. Not to forget the Gala Dinner was highlighted by the entertainment of Al-Dababir comedy show that made the audience laugh time.

(AME media) is represented by El-Telegraph newspaper, Al Anwar newspaper, Anoujoum magazine, the Middle East Online and the newly launched English “etw” El telegraph weekend. This is in addition to their partnership alliance with “national News Agency –Labanon” and the “Press Club Lebanon”

According to the Chairman Mr. Wally Wehbe, (AME media) proved to hold the leading position with a solid track record within the ethnic media industry: “We are the number one Middle Eastern ethnic media provider in the Australian market”. “Since the launch of our range of newspapers, magazines, and websites, we continue to be the dominant player in the Middle Eastern news market in Australia, as well as being one of the leading groups in reporting Australian news internationally.” Chairman Mr. Wally Wehbe stated in the text of his annual message.

The 4th Annual Gala Dinner was highly successful. It was attended by a massive crowd of various Australian community members, colleagues and friends where all had the pleasure to meet and chat on the occasion.