Honouring Ahmed’s Memory: Revisiting the Unsettling Question – How Many More Ahmed?
In the very core of Gaza, among the resonant wails of sirens and collapsing buildings, resided a tenderhearted boy by the name of Ahmed. Within the depth of his chest laid dreams akin to delicate glass ornaments, cherished intimately within his being. Each night, in the tranquil embrace of his feathered pillows and torn sheets, Ahmed would surrender himself to sleep as the faint sound of his mother’s tender lullabies reached him from afar, allowing his mind to traverse realms where his father was still alive. He dreamt of becoming a doctor just like his father who served humanity till his last breath. As he clutched onto his dream tightly, he always drifted into deep and restful sleep.
But then, one tragic morning, Ahmed opened his eyes to a deserted landscape of despair. The tranquil blue sky had been viciously damaged by the intimidating streaks of missiles carving through it. The world he once knew and cherished crumbled before him, mirroring the shattered fragments of his dreams that now lay scattered amidst the ruins. With a heavy heart, he stood there helplessly witnessing his beloved homes being reduced to mere particles of dust. Faces that were once filled with warmth and familiarity slowly dissolved into delicate shadows consumed by fear and ambiguity.
In the harsh reality that encased Ahmed’s existence, his world transformed into an unforgiving battlefield where survival was a daily struggle. Amidst this merciless turmoil, he yearned for a glimmer of hope with a determination far beyond what one would expect from someone so young. The weight of his dreams pressed heavily upon him as he fought against starvation and thirst, two relentless enemies threatening to extinguish his fragile flame of life. Yet despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, Ahmed clung fiercely to his dreams like a warrior protecting his most prized possession.
Within the depths of despair’s darkest hours, when all seemed lost and emptiness consumed every corner of his being, Ahmed found solace within the ruins that were once the local library. Like an ancient explorer seeking precious items in forgotten lands, he searched these remains in search of something valuable – knowledge itself. In those tattered pages lay hidden seeds waiting to blossom within his mind, more powerful than any weapon could ever be. Line by line, word by word, he devoured each page with hunger; the content fueling not only his intellect but also igniting flames of resilience burning deep within him. Even when everything was falling apart around him, Ahmed held onto his dreams like they were unbreakable promises. In the middle of all the confusion and sadness, Ahmed’s dreams ignited hope that even during really tough times, a boy from Gaza could become someone who brings light to others’ lives – someone who heals wounds – someone who never gives up on their dreams.
“So, did he make it out alive?”
And so, the headline emerged bearing witness to a heart-wrenching reality – “Gazan Ministry Of Education Announces End To The Academic Year As All Students Killed By Israel” And thusly etched in people’s memories forevermore was Ahmed: an epitome of inspiration destined to resonate through countless generations yet to come
The writer is a student of English Literature.
