On World Poetry Day, Gaza activists honor detained poet Ashraf Fayadh

March 22nd, 2016

Awake Goy

On the Occasion of World Poetry Day, Gaza-based human rights activists released an amateur video-clip in support of the Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh, who has been detained in a Saudi prison since January 1, 2014, without access to a lawyer since then. He was initially sentenced to death for “apostasy” by a regional court in Saudi Arabia on November 17, 2015. Due to international pressure and campaigns the sentence has recently been reduced to 8 years imprisonment and 800 lashes! The video-clip, performed by the Palestinian activist Haidar Eid, titled “Thirsty for Freedom,” adapted from a poem by the late legendary Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm.

I am thirsty (for freedom )

The walk to freedom is full of hurdles

the desert is so expansive and faraway

I am thirsty even though the water is so near

I am thirsty for freedom

Even though my steps are lost in a painful maze

the dream is worth it

And every time I get lost

My poetry shows me the light

I am thirsty (for freedom )

Oh sweetheart ! my shining star!

you are the light of my dungeon