Graphic Novel: Crossings or Tombs?

Prof. Mohamed Mzerda Writes:

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Graphic Novel: Crossings or Tombs?

     Inspired by an article written by our engineer Nasma Sadeq, Head of the Design Department at Islamway website.

Scene 1:

Location: Rafah Crossing (southern border crossing of the Gaza Strip).

Time: Hot day during the month of Ramadan.

Characters:

• Narrator: A young Palestinian man who has experienced crossing the Rafah Crossing.
• Parents: The narrator's parents.
• Children: The narrator's siblings.
• Israeli Occupation Soldiers: Appear briefly.
• Egyptian Security Soldiers: Play a major role in the story.
• Other Travelers: Share the suffering.

Events:

Panel 1:

• The narrator stands with his family in front of the gates of the Rafah Crossing.
• Their expressions are filled with hope and eagerness to see Gaza after years of separation.
• The sound of Takbir is heard in the distance, announcing the beginning of Ramadan.

Panel 2:

• The humiliating search by Israeli occupation soldiers begins.
• The soldiers rummage through the family's luggage and spread it out on the ground.
• The narrator's feeling of humiliation and outrage grows.

Panel 3:

• The family arrives at Alexandria Airport, and a new ordeal begins.
• They are forced to pay exorbitant amounts to porters with carts to transport their luggage.
• The place is crowded with travelers, and the cries of children mix with the honking of buses.

Panel 4:

• The family waits in the courtyard of the crossing under the scorching sun.
• They are forbidden from entering the Egyptian hall and are treated like criminals.
• The cries of a lone woman, with only her children for support, are heard.

Panel 5:

• The crossing opens after hours of waiting, and the buses enter one after another.
• The family is left behind in the last bus, fearing the crossing won't reopen.
• The crossing closes after the bus enters, and the family is condemned to wait until the next day.

Scene 2:

Location: Transit hall of Cairo Airport.

Time: Midnight.

Characters:

• Narrator: A young Palestinian man who has experienced crossing the Rafah Crossing.
• Parents: The narrator's parents.
• Children: The narrator's siblings.
• Other Travelers: Share the suffering.

Events:

Panel 1:

• The family is locked in the transit hall, resembling a prison with dozens of other families.
• They are deprived of sleep, food, and drink, and treated like criminals.
• The call to prayer for dawn is heard, as the narrator and his family wait for release.

Panel 2:

• The door of the hall opens after hours of waiting, and the family is allowed to leave.
• They are led to the transit buses and taken to Cairo Airport.
• The narrator says goodbye to Gaza, carrying with him bitter memories and unforgettable suffering.

Ending:

Panel 1:

• The narrator stands on the beach, looking out at Gaza in the distance.
• He reflects on all the humiliation and outrage he has experienced, and swears to liberate Palestine.
• The Palestinian flag is raised on the horizon, a symbol of hope and resistance.

Panel 2:

• The narrator concludes his story with poignant words: "Crossings or Tombs?"
• The question is left open for the reader, to share the suffering and contribute to changing the reality.

Note:

• The story highlights the suffering of Palestinian travelers crossing the Rafah Crossing and other checkpoints controlled by Israel and Egypt.
• The graphic novel aims to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and inspire readers to take action for change.