marwan
Mutual aid was more than just a social custom; it was an unwritten pact that united hearts before hands, making the community one home whose doors were never closed to anyone. As soon as someone began building a house, harvesting a crop, or pouring concrete for a roof, men would rush from every direction, carrying picks and stones, each offering their labor with love and contentment, without expecting any reward or compensation.
Generosity was deeply rooted in their hearts, and the sound of folk songs would fill the air, easing the hardship of the work and planting joy in their hearts. The owner of the concrete structure would slaughter a sheep or a goat in honor of those who stood by him, and the women would prepare the food. The workday would then transform into a celebration of cooperation and love, showcasing the most beautiful aspects of Palestinian solidarity. Today, life has become a heavy burden on people… everyone is preoccupied with their livelihood, work, and studies… many of the values we were raised on have faded… and “mutual assistance” has become more of a tale from a bygone era than a reality… Yet, this spirit hasn’t died… it still lies dormant in the hearts of the people of this nation… waiting for someone to awaken it and restore it to its rightful place.
Nations are not preserved by their buildings and markets alone… but also by their authentic values… and by the sense of honor that compels a person to rush to the aid of their brother before being asked… Does that spirit of mutual assistance that once united people in love still exist among us… or has it become a memory we recount to our children with endless nostalgia?
