By Yusif Barakat

I am in Cairo, as of December 24th, and will return on January 18, 2010 (see below).

During the “Reign of the Goddess”, the compassionate nurturer, and the procreator of life—there was peace.  When the Hebrews converted to the male God image (the warrior) we have had wars for thousands of years.  Throughout history women have promoted peace and at times refused conjugal favors until their men put down their weapons.  Unfortunately, modern women (especially American) have been conscripted and have bought into the male macho slogans: “might makes right” and “the end justifies the means”.

Fortunately, some women have remained true to the Goddess image and have maintained a vigil for Peace.  An example of this is the women who established Code Pink and are sponsoring the Gaza Freedom March.  For more information see www.gazafreedommarch.org.

There have been many men who have championed the Goddess concept as well and have promoted peace, such as, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  One such person that I know personally is Father Peter Dougherty, who just won the International Gandhi Award.  I met Father Dougherty 20 years ago when I first got arrested for civil disobedience while protesting nuclear weapons at Williams International.

Father Dougherty is the founder of the Michigan Peace Team (formerly known as the Michigan Faith & Resistance Peace Team).   I served 10 years on the MPT Board and remain a trainer for their training in non-violent resistance in areas of conflict.   I am proud to be on a delegation from the Michigan Peace Team, along with 5 women to participate in the Gaza Freedom March.

Attached are two press releases, one from the national Code Pink and one from Michigan Peace Team.  We must break the death grip that Israel has on the Gaza Strip and all of Palestine!  View this 5 minute You-Tube video by Marice Jacobsen to see for yourself what is going on in Gaza and the Gaza Freedom March plans: www.vimeo.com/7956625.

Our intention is to raise awareness amongst the international community and inform Americans, who spend billions of dollars supporting the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.

Please forward this e-mail to your friends and participate in any way you can to create a moral awareness around the death grip Israel has on Palestine!

Hubb Wa Salaam

Yusif

P.S. I’m also attaching an article about me, titled “Jogger”, which will give you an idea of my dedication & passion for peace, along with the 2 press releases.  Please excuse any duplication of this message that you may receive as a result of my amateur attempt at computer communication.