She complained, "I took the test for a vacancy in an international organization working with refugees, and got a high mark. A friend also took the test and got the highest mark. However, we were surprised that the vacancy was filled with the person who got the lowest marks on the test. This was a result of this person being a relative of the person in charge of the directorate in which the vacancy was available". She continued by saying, "As you know, everything is done through connections nowadays. Qualified hard-workers don't figure in this system." She ended her plea by asking me to try to arrange for her employment anywhere because of her dire financial situation, and because she is the provider for her family.
I asked her to submit an official complaint verifying her story in order to intervene and see why the less qualified candidate filled the job vacancy instead of her. When she heard this, she slumped saying, "But this means that I will never be accepted for a job in the agency. Everyone will stand against me if I submit a complaint."
I felt sorry for her and the many people in our country who suffer from injustice and corruption, while not daring to complain about it officially. In a loud voice, I asked, "How can we straighten things out if everyone were like you, fearing to complain and defend what is right? Why do we blame the USA, Israel, PNA, and real estate brokers when we cannot defend our rights in front of an administrator in the agency?" Angrily, I said, "How can such a people rid itself of the occupation, restore the rule of law, and declare a state?" And I remembered the tons of free advice to stop the crazy onslaught of criticism.
I calmed down and contemplated the situation of this person who cannot bear the burden of her plight alone. How can I burden her with the dilemma of the whole country? I felt that I was too harsh on her and tried to apologize. However, tears rolled down her cheeks, and she said, "You are right. We fear people when the only one we should fear is God."
I tried to calm her saying, "I understand your predicament and your need for a source of income. I also understand your inability to submit an official complaint in fear of further injustice, and do not want to trouble you with things beyond you…" However, she interrupted me requesting paper and a pen. She wrote a long letter of complaint about the international agency, and signed it.
I was happy for her and her courage. I felt the power of hope in the people.
The next day, she came back with three members of her family. They wanted me to stop my role in the complaint. They also requested that I give them the written statement. I could not convince them of continuing with the complaint, and gave them the letter.
This true story is one of hundreds of stories that I have come across, and one of the thousands whose details I do not know. It embodies the overwhelming atmosphere of depression, fear, and tendency towards hypocrisy and lies. These diseases are spreading in this society, which was once the regional front-runner for the democratic experience and building a state that respects justice and the law. Nonetheless, there are hundreds of complaints signed by their writers without fear or hesitation. None have given them justice however; and when they went to the High Court, the decisions were not implemented.
How long will this situation continue? Or will the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) come about, "If you see the aggressor and do not stop him, Allah is about to punish you".
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