Muslim?

Early June 2012...
One of the days, a few Israeli soldiers climbed up the Al-Aqsa Mosque and raised the Israeli flag. This move was condemned by most of the Palestinian leaders including the grand mufti. We attended a press conference and filmed the events on that occasion.
Prior to that, I tried entering into the Dome of the Rock, believed by Muslims to be the site where Prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven. A couple of Palestinians who had worked in Bangalore were standing outside told me it'd be safe to enter and see. "In case they ask you, just say your name is 'Ahmed' or 'Mohammed'". I assumed that'll be easy. I stepped close to the entrance of the dome started removing my shoes. "Muslim?", the guard asked. "Ya, ya... Muslim... Ahmed!" I said. "Passport please..." he retorted. This was a shock, even thought I had my passport in my pocket, I didn't want to reveal my Hindu identity. I pretended to be searching for it in my pocket and told him I left it at home. "Ok start reciting the Quran... Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim... continue..." I knew very little about the quran and there were 30 people standing around staring at me. "I'll take a few photographs outside and come back later!", I said and quietly slipped away!
Later on I realized that this was the same morning some of the soldiers climbed the Al-Aqsa mosque and raised the Israeli flag. The guards of the Dome of the Rock became suspicious with whoever came there later on!

The Dome of the Rock

Al-Aqsa compound with the mosque in the foreground

    

Interning with the media

May end and early June 2012...
Had a lot of fun early on working with 'Sky News Arabiya' for a few days. We were broadcasting football matches, interviewing key figures and visiting refugee camps. I was getting a good idea of the Palestinian landscape and meeting interesting people. Unfortunately, I had to leave after a while since I was not offered insurance under their terms.
I was a little disappointed since I initially thought they did not want me, which turned out not to be true later on! Mamoun did not like this approach and cheered me up by providing me with a camera, mike and a tripod. "Go anywhere in Palestine or Israel to film and you can interview anyone!", this got me inspired since I thought crossing between Israel and Palestine would be dangerous and risky.
Whenever I would hit the checkpoints, they'd take time to check the Palestinians and me thoroughly! Despite this, I considered myself lucky and privileged to enter Jerusalem since most Palestinians cannot even go there. I met a lot of interesting people at the old city, no doubt there was a pressure to film everything I see since I'd be here only for a few more weeks!
Some more days passed by, travelling around, eating falafels and shawarma and spending time at home. All these days, I still hadn't met Nadia Habash, the architect whom I got in touch with initially through the internet. She called and invited me over for a music concert happening at a school! A skinny, scrawny, short woman, who was happy to see me and learnt later on that she was and continues to be a key figure in Palestinian resistance...

Cannot miss out this mural crossing in and out of Jerusalem

Height of God!

Evan Hastings at home...

View opposite home

                                     

Mamoun Matar

Initial ignorance

2nd half of May 2012...

Got up early morning and called Mamoun, the director of Wide Media and Nadia Habash, none picked up the call.
Paul Martin called me up soon and he said we could meet for a while at the old city. We sat down at a cafe in the Jewish Quarter and talked about the conflict. I felt he was too pro-Israel!
Many shopkeepers in the old city tried to cheat me seeing that I'm a tourist and I didn't get a good impression of Jerusalem.
The next evening, I had enough of Israel and took a bus to Ramallah. Finally, met up with Mamoun Matar; he showed me around town and his office. The atmosphere was pleasant and encouraging. I enjoyed the markets, streets and my home in Ramallah.
The next few days, we went holidaying in the dead sea, skirting around Jerusalem with Paul and showing my game to many people in Wide Media. I felt proud here and accepted.