The Day of The Injured, A Day of Sacrifice and Honor
Israa Ray
On the 4th day of the Holy Hijri Month of Shaaban, Ayatollah Imam Khomeini declared this pious day, which also coincides with the birth of Imam al-Hussein's brother, Abu Fadel Abbas (Also Prophet Mohammad's grandson PBUH), as The Day of The Injured.
Al-Jarha Association; With the Injured From Day One
On this note, al-Jarha Association, or The Wounded Association, is a Hizbullah-affiliated welfare association that helps the war wounded and handicapped in Lebanon. It started with the launch of the Lebanese Resistance against the Zionist occupation, aiming at the care of war casualties in Lebanon and their families in the framework of a program that covers all aspects of their daily life.
The association expanded its range of activities to include the wounded and handicapped of the resistance and victims of Zionists' attacks from all regions, places and religions in Lebanon.
Its main objectives vary from procuring treatment and hospitalization for the wounded, procuring comfort, stability and a respectful life for the handicapped, rehabilitating the wounded, developing their competencies, skills and talents, as well as helping them integrate into the society and overcome their psychological state.
The Association also helps the wounded and their children in their education (schools, institutes and universities), pays school fees, and provides books and stationery.
Likewise, the Association is a member of the Lebanese Federation for Disabled Sport, where it trains sports teams for the handicapped for sports such as swimming, table tennis, jogging, plates shooting and the bow and arrow.
The wounded speak up: "I don't live in despair from the things I can't do, and go on to learn new things"
When I visited al-Jarha Association in Beirut, the director, a pious man who lost his leg in a resistance operation against the "Israeli" Army, so kindly sent his assistant to guide me into a crafts shop all beautifully and expertly hand-made by the wounded.
After the brief tour, he guided me into a small workshop, in which I found a woman in a wheelchair and two men wearing sunglasses each sitting on his own desk.
Abu Ali Mohammad, one of the injured men who lost his sight, was skillfully crafting a basket from straw in a way that any sound man wouldn't have been able to do when I walked in.
I watched his nimble fingers as they guided him to create such an exquisitely-made handicraft. The other man, Abu Mohammad, was just about done when I walked in.
However the woman, a kind lady in her forties, was tidying up what she was apparently working on.
"I wish the resistance would take women to fight with them," Iman said in her wheelchair.
"I was shot in the civil war while I was still a student, and al-Jarha Association was with me ever since. They stood beside me when until I received my high school diploma then guided me through fashion designing school," she expressed thankfully.
As for Abu Ali, the skillful craftsman, he remarked, "The Day of Injured was intended to be on the birth of Abu Fadel Abbas because of its special symbolism for the injured. Despite his wounds, Abbas continued to fight to the last second of his life. He was the role model and symbol of sacrifice, loyalty, and altruism."
Asked how he got his injury, he said, "In a resistance operation in 1986, we were ambushed and I was injured in my eyes, which made me lose sight."
"After an injury, one must sit alone and study of how to adapt to this new condition. I do not try to live in despair for the things I cannot do, and I go on to learn new things," he sat, gazing as if to something beyond my perception.
"I took a course in handicrafts and computer courses, and I also pursued my academic studies, in which I studied theology, philosophy, and Islamic Studies. I am now a trainer in handicrafts in private institutions," Abu Ali said encouragingly.
Moreover, Abu Ali expressed, "Al-Jarha Association was with me since day one and followed through with our lives and our wounds with many social and educational offerings. It followed through with my rehabilitation, and was always ready to be with us financially and spiritually."
In some words from the heart, the injured Abu Ali told al-Ahed that he hoped "we remain a society that embraces the resistance and not allow anyone to infiltrate it. Even if everyone conspired against the resistance, Allah the Great is its victor."
"The Resistance is worth the injury"
When I turned to Abu Mohammad, the other war wounded in his fifties, I learnt that not only his eyes were injured, but his hearing was partially impaired, seeing that I had to repeat my questions and raise my voice. This, however, didn't seem to bother him at all;
"I thank Allah who blessed me to empathize with Abu Fadel al-Abbas. He lost one eye, and I lost two of mine for this path," the proud confident man expressed.
"My injuries give me more strength [to do the things I love]," he added.
Abu Mohammad then went on to say, "Al-Jarha Association is my mother and father who pamper their child because it follows our ambitions so we can make our dreams come true."
"We can do whatever we want, but because of our disabilities, we need determination, and the Association gave us that," he voiced proudly.
This man, though brief and concise, said it all in a few persuasive words, "Allah blessed us with resolve like the resolve of Abu Fadel al-Abbas, and the resistance is worth the injury."
Source: Al-Ahed News
