When 2 years ago a dear friend told me about a tribute that was being organized for Nelson Mandela, I was so touched that there is indeed recognition of such an incredible man.
A man who has spent his life giving voice to those that may not otherwise be heard.
A man who even when imprisoned always believed that Peace is the best solution.
Nelson Mandela remains to be my living hero.
There was a call at the time for stories of people who have done things in the UAE that may have made a difference in other’s lives. I had just started my community work in the UAE, but really what I mostly felt in tune with was the beauty of how a smile can touch so many lives… and so I wrote this poem.. which is now published in the book…
SIXTY SEVEN BROTHERS AND SIXTY SEVEN SISTERS AND I
If I were to write a proper essay about the 67 ways I have helped since I have lived here in the UAE, I would find it hard to find where to start.
I arrived here on a camel about 67 centuries ago.
I assumed I was one of the people, the nomads that were to make a change in the world.
I arrived here on a plane only 67 weeks ago and since then I have found myself in awe of the humanity one finds in a gesture in a smile.
I was sad and depressed when I arrived, I was far from family and friends when I arrived.
I was looking for kindness in the air, but it is the men that used to dress all in orange on the streets that lent me a smile.
They never asked for anything back, but I found it easy to lend them a smile.
Then I started visiting a home full of sisters who were living together who had run away from despair.
The safe house was a place we would convene to come together and to find kindness in each other’s hearts.
I felt held as I went to tell stories and listen to tales.
It is in holding another’s thoughts that one can find the truth about being held.
I like this land of opportunity for I have been given the chance to see.
I have been given the chance to see myself through another’s eyes whom I may have never met before.
Here I found my voice in my poetry.
The words now are vehicle of healing wounds, may it be the ladies in the safe houses or labor camps, may it be the kind looks of brothers when I ride on the bus going on a mission called a bus raid.
Raiding hearts is easy, it means you just have to open yours and be ready to receive.
The world is full of glorious rays, and glorious music and the snakes never have a poison in their venom and I will never feel sad again because I know to give is to receive.
These days I try to see if I can out do my self each day; if yesterday I lent a person a smile and I do one more today.
I hope one day I will reach 67 smiles a day, or even 67 smiles a minute.
You know how that can be done.
If you and I smile from the depth of our hearts we will reach every nomads heart on a camel in the desert and every workers heart in the tallest building in the world, and even those that are in the airplanes high above will recognize that a smile is all it takes
A smile can speak as loud as 67 suns all glowing love and light at the same time.
This poem along with 67 smiles speaks volumes… you may wonder why 67.. that is the number of years Mandela has given to his work, his community, to his country… and he has also mentioned that if we only spend 67 minutes a month, week, or day helping others… this would be a much much nicer world to live in.
All the participants got to sign a large card that was going to be sent to Nelson Mandela along with a copy of the book signed by his Royal Highness Sheikh Nahyan.
It is thanks to Nahtam that made this ceremony and this book go from being a dream to becoming a possibility.
Nahtam’s vision:
Nahtam’s leadership is inspired by the following quote from H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
“I encourage every person in the position of responsibility to perform his duties honestly and sincerely double his efforts towards reflecting back the goodness and prosperity to his fellow brothers. The process of development and growth does not depend on people in positions of responsibility only. But it needs the joint effort of each person living in this country.”
The ceremony got wonderful news coverage today…
According to Khaleej times ” 67 Inspiring Stories, a book written by UAE residents about their community and charitable work, will be signed by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and sent to Nelson Mandela on July 18 for his 95th birthday.”
Read the complete Khaleej times article here.
According to The National “ABU DHABI // Two years ago, Nelson Mandela made a birthday wish for people to donate 67 minutes each to the good of the community, to mark his 67 years as a freedom activist.”
Full story in the National can be read here.
I am so proud that my first ever published poem has been in honor of Nelson Mandela. I hope to continue reaching hearts with smiles and with poetry in the years to come… from now this minute…. 67 minutes, hours, weeks, months and who knows maybe even years.
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