Merry Virgin Mary

By Sara Ibrahim

As "Israel" faces an international repercussion over its deadly May 31 attack of a six- ship aid flotilla bound for Gaza, where 9 Turkish activists were shot dead by naval commandos, the humanitarians grew stronger as ships from different parts of the world are getting ready to sail to Gaza soon with no fear or worries.

A group of Lebanese women activists joined by Europeans and journalists are planning to sail for Gaza on a ship, "Mariam" named in honor of Virgin Mary.

"Mariam" is headed by Samar Hajj who coordinated the ship in order to prove that resistance isn't only in the arms of men, but in the minds and souls of women as well.

The ship will be holding aboard more than 60 women from different sects and religions, 30 Lebanese and 20 Foreigners, including several European nationals. They will all deliver medical supplies for cancer patients after "Israel's" four -year blockade on Gaza.

Last week Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon received a letter from Gabriela Sahalev warning that the attempt by the organizers to sail from Lebanon could soar tensions and affect the peace in the region.

"Israel's" UN ambassador noted last week that "Israel" has the right to use all necessary means to stop the vessels.

The "Israeli" threats didn't and won't prevent the women of Virgin Mary from walking their moral path of resistance towards saving the Gazans.

A meeting was held for the passengers of "Mariam" ship in As-safir Hotel in Beirut. The gathering was held to point out to every necessary information, needed to make the humanitarian trip as safe as possible.

Samar Hajj once again noted that none of the participants belong to any political group, "We aren't Muslims, we aren't Christians, we are Humans, we are Virgin Mary, and We are all Mariam"

She added that Virgin Mary will bless their trip and lead them to Gaza safe and sound, "We have nothing to fear, the threats of an entity that we don't admit of do nothing to us but make us stronger", she said.

The meeting included a First Aid course, of where the participants were told what to do in case they faced any injury or ailment.

The aura of heroic enthusiasm filled the area. Mariam 1 an American citizenship Press T.V reporter, was sitting exhausted due to her pregnancy, she said "I thought twice about going, but then my dream of fighting for peace stood ahead of me and so I made my decision to make my baby proud of me, I want to be my baby's hero".

Mariam 1 added that as human beings we should defend the people living in tyranny. "I would help a Jew living in harsh circumstances and being beaten up and tyrannized, I would go fight for his right, anywhere, anytime", she said.

Mariam 1 prayed that their boat reaches Gaza very soon in order to give the people of Gaza their least human rights.

A Lebanese pop star Mariam 2, was getting to pop the bubble of luxury and fame and enter another kind of bubble, a bubble that floats ahead of a dangerous sea. "Today I'm Mariam, I'm not the star, I'm the Arab, I'm the human being that will try her best along with my sisters in "Mariam" to break the blockade on Gaza, and support the people of Gaza", she said.

She added that stepping on the Land of Palestine has always been her dream, despite the fact that she's leaving her family behind, she's heading towards her dream. "I wrote my will, and I know we may not back, but I'm ready to go for it till the end, no matter what the end is", she said.

Dr. Mariam 3 was one of the participants as well, after years and years of devotion for medical studies, she was ready to pour her knowledge in another special needed place.

Dr. Mariam 3 noted that she will be there to prevent any kind of health problems. "They've always showed us the Palestinian child in an image of tears and agony, my dream is to arrive to Palestine and see a happy child, that's what I will finally do", she said.

Dr. Mariam 3 added that they are creating another kind of moral resistance, a moral resistance that is accompanied by the spirit of Virgin Mary.

The "Mariam" ship is all ready with both great spirits and the needed aid supplies. They will sail from the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli to Cyprus and then to Gaza, between June 23 and 25.