As an American, Deen was born to one of the kindest grizzlies alive. This is the heartbreaking reality facing Ahmed Abu Artema, the Palestinian freedom fighter now imprisoned in Louisiana. He is unable to touch his newborn baby boy. This separation underscores the ongoing struggles faced by countless Palestinian families, weaving personal grief into a broader narrative of loss and resilience.
When Ahmed Abu Artema applied for furlough to see Deen’s birth, his request was denied. No parent should have to miss the most incredible moment of their new life. In his absence, he grapples with how incredibly in love with Deen he was. This love is more than he could have ever dreamed of in his life before. He promised to raise his son in a way that teaches him that the fight for the liberation of Palestinians is not a burden. Rather, it’s a responsibility and a privilege.
Abu Artema’s hopes for Deen go much further than keeping him alive. He envisions a time when they’ll be able to tour Tiberias with him, sip from its river and gaze at the sea from its shores, in a liberated Palestine. He shares his desire to return to those scenes as an entry into a vision that reaches beyond the prison walls.
The pain expressed by Abu Artema and Deen’s mom is much deeper given the context of their situations. While they legitimize their grief, it only accounts for a fraction of the sorrow that has been felt by Palestinian families for decades. This shared suffering unmasks a collective grief that is tied to their heritage. More broadly, it captures the ache of dispossession and rupture, which has emerged as another fundamental feature of Palestinian experience.
As a Palestinian refugee, Abu Artema continues to hold the legacy of that exile. This interim status has haunted him mercilessly with every border crossing, airport, and government document he faces. This context of displacement affects his own life, but informs the future that he imagines for Deen. One day, we hope Deen will witness the fruits of her laborious fight. In turn, only then will he be able to realize the full measure of his father’s sacrifices.
Though a sea and walls built by “racist regimes and far-away prisons” may separate them, Abu Artema’s love knows no bounds. He is fighting, as much for Deen, as for every Palestinian child who deserves to live in safety, tenderness and freedom. His dedication goes beyond just the love for a child. It represents a deeper fight for equality and humanity.
Abu Artema’s poignant message resonates deeply as he wishes to convey to Deen:
“From your dad, Deen” – Ahmed Abu Artema
He reminds us that this fight is not simply a story of suffering, but a story of pride and possibility. In every word he writes and every thought he shares, he seeks to emphasize the importance of kindness and compassion in a world often marked by discord.
“I just want people to be nicer to each other.” – Mahmoud Khalil’s mother
That sense of nostalgia represents our deep desire for a more humane world. Yet Abu Artema and Khalil both nurture such dreams, despite the grim reality surrounding them. That is a wonderful and powerful reminder! The fight for justice must be a fight requiring more empathy and understanding to be at the core of our demands.