salamat!

I just returned home from my canceled speaking engagement at the University of Tampa and i am so very grateful to have received your encouraging message for I was censored from speaking by forces who cannot bear the light, the truth and the way:

That only JUSTICE will ever reap security for Israel and Justice requires: Equal human rights for Palestinians, RESPECT and COMPASSION for the pain of the 'other' who is really [Israeli!] our self in other skin and in a different place.

Not a day goes by that I don't miss Riad, his wit and how much he inspired me by his love for those that suffer because of the policies of the USA government and the blind arrogance of those that claim to be Christian who have no eyes to see, ears to hear or hearts that bleed for those under military occupation.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers; THEY shall be called the children of God."-Jesus as quoted in Matthew 5:9

Blessed is Riad for offering US a way.

The last time I spoke to Riad on the phone was a few days after the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.

Riad left a message on my cell phone the afternoon of that day when while getting ready for work the doorbell rang in his modest apartment in Austin, Texas.

About 18 FBI and IRS agents bearing guns and a search warrant from Judge Robert Pittman, [well known for his hostility to Palestinians and Arabs and with whom Riad has had previous experience with] searched every nook and cranny of his apartment.

They left with more than forty boxes of papers, files, computers, CDs and an ounce and a half of catnip.

No charges were filed at the time against Riad and he was not arrested, but the investigators claim they had probable cause to investigate wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering.

The Palestine Children's Welfare Fund is an enterprise that was established by a group of individuals whose goals are to improve the living standards of the children of Palestine in the refugee camps inside Palestine.

Riad was one of the first people I crossed paths with when I woke up and became an activist for human rights, international law, justice and peace for all.

Riad also had the best sense of humor of any activist I have met since.

Everyone who ever met Riad knew they were in the Presence of Uniqueness.

Riad, was a nonviolent committed Muslim and a better Christian than many I have known who claim to be one, for he DID what Jesus commanded his followers to do:

Bless all, do good unto the poor, the hungry and oppressed, and Riad and PCWF have blessed many children of Palestine and crafts people..

PCWF/Palestine Children's Welfare Fund was founded as a purely humanitarian enterprise and as an exercise in NONVIOLENT resistance.

I personally met some of the Bethlehem children identified by one PCWF partner, The Holy Land Trust/HLT.

HLT was founded by Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem who identify the neediest of children in occupied territory and they teach and advocate nonviolent resistance against the military occupation of Palestine.

Not one of the human beings associated with PCWF and Holy Land Trust are terrorists;

But every one is a victim of the state terror inflicted by the 40 years of Israeli military occupation aided and abetted by USA government blind allegiance and supported by over 3.2 billion American tax dollars a year.

PCWF aims to provide the children of the occupied territory with better educational opportunities, health facilities and a future with hope; a future without violence, hatred and discrimination.

PCWF has branches and volunteers in more than ten countries and is not connected with any militant or political association of any kind.

PCWF works throughout Europe, Canada and the United States and operates its financial and social work from Palestine to ensure that our work is based in the place where it is needed the most; the children of Palestine.

PCWF works in close coordination with the Union of Health Workers Committees in Gaza, an organization that operates Alawda hospital in Gaza, the largest hospital in Gaza, an open air prison for 1.5 million Palestinians under the boot of Israel who controls all borders; land, sea and air.

PCWF works with various civic and social societies, the Union of Health Workers Committees in Gaza and other Palestinian cities to locate and provide sponsors for the neediest of children in the West Bank and Gaza.

PCWF's goal is to provide the children with their basic needs such as food, clothing, educational tools and health care regardless of religious affiliation.

PCWF is a non-political, non-religious enterprise whose aspirations are purely humanitarian and for the purpose of emancipating the children of Palestine and the human rights of the people and children of Palestine.

PCWF is still alive and serving the children of Palestine:

Before Riad's demise he put everything in order regarding PCWF, except he was unable to find a person to replace him in filling and distributing the goods made by West Bank artisans.

I spoke with Riad's friend and PCWF Paul Larudee, shortly after Riad's death.

He told me PCWF was in need of an Austin, Texas area volunteer who could fill the orders for West Bank goods, and help keep Riad's dream alive:

If you can help, please phone:

Paul Larudee, Treasurer and Grants Administrator
510-236-5338

PCWF is accepting tax-exempt donations:
PCWF
405 Vista Heights Rd.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
http://www.pcwf.org/

PS-While I was writing my first book, KEEP HOPE ALIVE based of the memoirs of a Palestinian American Muslim and 1948 refugee from the Galilee, Dr. Khaled Diab; six fictional characters welled up within me and they began conversing with Dr. D. as I wrote down his memories.

One of them was inspired by Riad.

In an email to Riad I told him I had named a fictional character after him that I had been imagining to be a voice from heaven; a Ghandhi-like character who seeks the Ultimate Mystery of The Universe by crossing every faith path, committing to none and loving all.

Riad emailed me back that 'Riad' in Arabic translates into HEAVEN in English.

I call Riad my brother, friend and comrade.

Riad was a comrade in the pursuit of freedom of conscience and speech. Riad wrote irreverent letters to politicians and editors calling them on their hypocrisies and injustices.

Riad was also a brother in the good fight for justice which requires equal human rights as the way to achieve peace and security.

My friend Riad also sent me gifts crafted in the West Bank. I will never get another material gift from Riad, but his life, good works, inspiration and dreams live on in PCWF.

Riad often wrote: GIVE THEM A FISHING LINE TO live with dignity. DO NOT give them charity unless they are disabled, sick or orphans. Do what Jesus and Mohammad told us to do…and again, SHUKRAN for your generosity, work and support. Salamat, Riad Hamad

The last gift I received from Riad were two tapestries crafted by the artisan women in Hebron. When Riad gifted me, he joked, "These were made by the terrorist women in Hebron. The Christian Zionists were paying them slave wages, but PCWF pays them a living wage and when the shekel is worth more that the dollar, PCWF pays them in shekels."

Shukran and Salamat 2 U Riad, whose voice will never be silenced and whose hands that only did good will never be bound while people of good will do something to keep PCWF alive.