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The Prisoners’ Diaries #1
Memoir Tahanan Palestin
Buku ini merakamkan pengalaman 22 orang rakyat Palestin yang pernah berada di bawah tahanan pihak Israel. Mereka dibebaskan di bawah perjanjian di antara Israel dengan Hamas pada tahun 2011, yang menyaksikan pertukaran seorang tentera Israel, Gilad Shalit, dengan 1,027 orang tahanan Palestin.
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First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 1, 2013
Each letters has it own stories.
Each person suffers different pain.
Each heart missing to come back.
Each voice talks of freedom.
Each one of them is a Palestinian living in Israeli's hell.
Read it and you are merely not the same person again.
Definitely not without heart.
Each person suffers different pain.
Each heart missing to come back.
Each voice talks of freedom.
Each one of them is a Palestinian living in Israeli's hell.
Read it and you are merely not the same person again.
Definitely not without heart.
September 10, 2014
Beauty in patience.
Read
December 11, 2014Heavy and burdened is the heart of the truths uncovered in this book. Many times, while reading the book, I just had to stop and put the book down, their experiences are too much to bear, to digest. Too bloody much.
It is a humbling read, this book will surely bring you back to earth, appreciate whatever it is that you have in your life, your families, your friends, your possessions. Every sticky situations that I've ever experienced in my life, it's nothing compared to what they've been through, and sadly, still is.
It is a humbling read, this book will surely bring you back to earth, appreciate whatever it is that you have in your life, your families, your friends, your possessions. Every sticky situations that I've ever experienced in my life, it's nothing compared to what they've been through, and sadly, still is.
November 7, 2023
Luahan hati rakyat Palestin yang menjadi tahanan zionis laknatullah. Semoga kemenangan milik Pelestin, buat umat Islam.
December 25, 2019
Every words has story. Every story has struggle.
Every pain has love and every love has pain.
Some stories that I would like to share:
1) Hungry For Freedom (Part 1 & 2)
The story of Ibrahim and Abbas digging the tunnel to go out from the prison.
"We finished digging down 2.5 metres then moved away from the tiny down toward the wall. We drew a map to know which direction we should dig. After digging 7 metres toward the street, we built a wooden frame so that the tunnel would not fall on our heads, since trucks crossed the street every day. The lack of air in the tunnel was one of our greatest challenge" (p.35)
"By Allah's grace and our fighters' hands, we left the prison with our heads held high and this time not by tunnels. Our bodies embraced freedom with the taste of victory in a way that we will never forget as long as we live" (p. 38)
Reading this story, makes me understand their struggle in freedom. This makes me feel more grateful in freedom that I have right now.
2) Tortured memories by Sana'a Shihada
"In an instant, hundreds of pictures of house filled my mind: my room and its beautiful walls, the forecourt shadowed by grapevines, the huge tree with our names carved on its trunk. My father's favourite cane chair, too, and even the teapot. Every single detail of the house sprang into my mind, bringing nostalgia and sadness together" (p. 41)
This tearful story teach me that, in every woman's struggle, there is a strong family , supporting her.
----------
"Yes, nobody knows the meaning of freedom except those who have lost it," I said. (p. 83)
"Those days were really hard and painful, of course, but Ahmad changed them to a heaven in which the spirit of brotherhood rose above more trivial things." (p. 74)
*bought this book at Saba' Islamic Bookstore, PKNS
Every pain has love and every love has pain.
Some stories that I would like to share:
1) Hungry For Freedom (Part 1 & 2)
The story of Ibrahim and Abbas digging the tunnel to go out from the prison.
"We finished digging down 2.5 metres then moved away from the tiny down toward the wall. We drew a map to know which direction we should dig. After digging 7 metres toward the street, we built a wooden frame so that the tunnel would not fall on our heads, since trucks crossed the street every day. The lack of air in the tunnel was one of our greatest challenge" (p.35)
"By Allah's grace and our fighters' hands, we left the prison with our heads held high and this time not by tunnels. Our bodies embraced freedom with the taste of victory in a way that we will never forget as long as we live" (p. 38)
Reading this story, makes me understand their struggle in freedom. This makes me feel more grateful in freedom that I have right now.
2) Tortured memories by Sana'a Shihada
"In an instant, hundreds of pictures of house filled my mind: my room and its beautiful walls, the forecourt shadowed by grapevines, the huge tree with our names carved on its trunk. My father's favourite cane chair, too, and even the teapot. Every single detail of the house sprang into my mind, bringing nostalgia and sadness together" (p. 41)
This tearful story teach me that, in every woman's struggle, there is a strong family , supporting her.
----------
"Yes, nobody knows the meaning of freedom except those who have lost it," I said. (p. 83)
"Those days were really hard and painful, of course, but Ahmad changed them to a heaven in which the spirit of brotherhood rose above more trivial things." (p. 74)
*bought this book at Saba' Islamic Bookstore, PKNS
July 20, 2017
The Prisoner's Diaries merupakan personal account 22 warga Palestin yang menjadi mangsa kekejaman Zionis, ditahan bertahun-tahun tanpa bicara, diseksa dengan berbagai jenis seksaan tidak kira secara fizikal dan mental. Ada yang ditangkap apabila menghalang tentera Occupation Zionis daripada merampas rumah mereka, tidak kira lelaki atau perempuan, mereka dikasari sewenang-wenangnya untuk melemahkan moral dalam diri setiap tahanan. Diancam rogol, diugut untuk meruntuhkan rumah keluarga tahanan, itulah ujian mereka.
Penjara Zionis ini tidak sama dengan penjara Finland. Dalam sel sebesar 4 meter persegi yang dikongsi 2-3 orang, di situlah tempat berbaring dan melepaskan hajat. Kotornya tidak terkata, semuanya untuk melemahkan semangat para tahanan. Sekiranya sakit, layanan yang tidak seberapa akan diberikan dan petugas perubatan penjara akan mencuba sedaya upaya untuk menambah lagi kesakitan dengan preskripsi ubat. Di dalam penjara Moskoviyyeh ini, pegawai penjara adalah insan yang terakhir anda ingin percaya.
Meskipun Palestin terbahagi kepada 2 pemerintahan; Hamas dan Fatah, di dalam sel kecil ini mereka bersatu dan bersaudara menghadapi kekejaman yang menekan dari hari ke hari. Buku ini membuka mata kita tentang penindasan yang berlaku di Palestin, tangan-tangan kuasa besar yang memainkan jarum mereka, juga kekecewaan saya terhadap kebisuan negara Islam sekitar. Benar, kita memang di akhir zaman.
"If we cannot release them, then the least we can do is to tell the world about them. Maybe we will stir the conscience of the world and the world will do something for them which will make our civilisation truly civilised."- Tun M dalam Kata Pengantar buku ini.
Penjara Zionis ini tidak sama dengan penjara Finland. Dalam sel sebesar 4 meter persegi yang dikongsi 2-3 orang, di situlah tempat berbaring dan melepaskan hajat. Kotornya tidak terkata, semuanya untuk melemahkan semangat para tahanan. Sekiranya sakit, layanan yang tidak seberapa akan diberikan dan petugas perubatan penjara akan mencuba sedaya upaya untuk menambah lagi kesakitan dengan preskripsi ubat. Di dalam penjara Moskoviyyeh ini, pegawai penjara adalah insan yang terakhir anda ingin percaya.
Meskipun Palestin terbahagi kepada 2 pemerintahan; Hamas dan Fatah, di dalam sel kecil ini mereka bersatu dan bersaudara menghadapi kekejaman yang menekan dari hari ke hari. Buku ini membuka mata kita tentang penindasan yang berlaku di Palestin, tangan-tangan kuasa besar yang memainkan jarum mereka, juga kekecewaan saya terhadap kebisuan negara Islam sekitar. Benar, kita memang di akhir zaman.
"If we cannot release them, then the least we can do is to tell the world about them. Maybe we will stir the conscience of the world and the world will do something for them which will make our civilisation truly civilised."- Tun M dalam Kata Pengantar buku ini.
July 27, 2024
This is a collection of stories from people who were released in a hostage exchange from Israeli prisons. They range from their experiences there, the longing of life outside or for their family, and more. What really stood out to me was the repeated mention of their guilt and humilitation. Being imprisoned made so many feel guilty because of how difficult the whole wrongful system makes it on their loved ones. How they cannot often see them, or there is a ton of hoops and stipulations in doing so. They hurt over their aging parents, or their growing children, because that is time lost without them that they cannot get back. One even speaking of his daughter being martyred while he was away.
They also speak to the humiliation that the Israeli guards and all Israelis within the system make them endure. From body searches to denying them access to medical care and forcing them to suffer. Even Israeli doctors giving them incorrect diagnoses, like with cancer, to make them fear for the end of their life. Or one who lost his ability to speak. It is cruelty from top to bottom, and instead of it being just cruelty, it is a tactic for humiliation and further degradation of them.
I have read Ahed Tamimi’s story, so I had a glimpse into the tactics Israelis have done and how wrong and injust the system is, often breaking international law, but this shows a further extention of that. How it isn’t just one, or a few. It is thousands of thousands and the world chooses to ignore it.
Rep: Stories from blind survivors, cancer survivors, and a non-verbal survivor. All Palestinian/Indigenous.
They also speak to the humiliation that the Israeli guards and all Israelis within the system make them endure. From body searches to denying them access to medical care and forcing them to suffer. Even Israeli doctors giving them incorrect diagnoses, like with cancer, to make them fear for the end of their life. Or one who lost his ability to speak. It is cruelty from top to bottom, and instead of it being just cruelty, it is a tactic for humiliation and further degradation of them.
I have read Ahed Tamimi’s story, so I had a glimpse into the tactics Israelis have done and how wrong and injust the system is, often breaking international law, but this shows a further extention of that. How it isn’t just one, or a few. It is thousands of thousands and the world chooses to ignore it.
Rep: Stories from blind survivors, cancer survivors, and a non-verbal survivor. All Palestinian/Indigenous.
March 7, 2024
"Allah is very beautiful and I live according to His beauty every day of my life, despite my isolation, despite my anxiety, despite my captivity, despite my affliction." - The Prisoners' Diaries: Palestinian Voices from the Israeli Gulag, edited by Norma Hashim
How can you deny or overlook the humanitarian crisis that surrounds Palestine? How can the people resisting the occupation of their country be treated as if they were heinous criminals?
These first-hand accounts of the brave Palestinians who have suffered in prison, living in conditions that are inhumane, allows the reader to merely envision the horrors that they face. From separation, to torture and abuse, these prisoners illustrate the unwavering strength and fierce determination of a Palestinian. The yearning for reunion and freedom is what moves the reader, and one can only imagine the suffering and pain faced by these prisoners.
When a person strives for martyrdom, their spirit is simply indomitable and immeasurable, and these accounts show nothing but the most resilient people you would read about. This book is precious yet painful, but a necessary read that will enlighten the reader on the truth about the suffering of Palestinian detainees.
How can you deny or overlook the humanitarian crisis that surrounds Palestine? How can the people resisting the occupation of their country be treated as if they were heinous criminals?
These first-hand accounts of the brave Palestinians who have suffered in prison, living in conditions that are inhumane, allows the reader to merely envision the horrors that they face. From separation, to torture and abuse, these prisoners illustrate the unwavering strength and fierce determination of a Palestinian. The yearning for reunion and freedom is what moves the reader, and one can only imagine the suffering and pain faced by these prisoners.
When a person strives for martyrdom, their spirit is simply indomitable and immeasurable, and these accounts show nothing but the most resilient people you would read about. This book is precious yet painful, but a necessary read that will enlighten the reader on the truth about the suffering of Palestinian detainees.
December 17, 2019
1. I have felt the pain of separation from my family and homeland, but this separation was of my own decision. I can't imagine the torment of having all my rights stolen. These stories are inspiring, that though they went through their darkest times they still have strength to hope and cling to the memories of their loved ones.
2. This world is not black nor white, so how can we say otherwise in war? I had a hard time to fathom the novel The Attack by Yasmina Khadra, but the accounts in The Prisoners' Diaries proved him right. "Violence breeds violence", a vicious cycle indeed. Nonetheless, I salute the writers to tell these stories honestly no matter how ugly the truth can be.
2. This world is not black nor white, so how can we say otherwise in war? I had a hard time to fathom the novel The Attack by Yasmina Khadra, but the accounts in The Prisoners' Diaries proved him right. "Violence breeds violence", a vicious cycle indeed. Nonetheless, I salute the writers to tell these stories honestly no matter how ugly the truth can be.
May 16, 2022
A difficult book to read. Difficult not to imagine what each of the prisoners had to go through. I did speed reading here, and whilst wanting to know what happened inside the prison wall, I felt utterly sad to imagine each of the torment that they had to endure. Some events were told in the most straightforward manner I felt, the reality could only be known by the Palestine prisoners. Will the inhumane act ever stop?
August 13, 2024
Baca buku ini jadi tahu keadaan suasana di balik penjara, usaha-usaha para tahanan yang ingin membebaskan diri dengan berbagai cara dilakukan disertai banyak air mata dan doa yang dipanjatkan. Betapa pilunya jauh dari keluarga apalagi dalam kondisi sakit.
December 17, 2025
“Solat Jumaat, adakah ia masih didirikan di dunia kamu? Saya tidak menunaikannya selama bertahun-tahun, tetapi saya masih ingat dan merindui hari yang indah itu. Saya juga rindu untuk solat berjemaah, tetapi saya di sini saya solat sendirian. Adakah saya mendapat pahala?”
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December 29, 2023I cannot with conscious give a book about the sufferings of many people a rating.
Free Palestine. Ceasefire NOW! 🇵🇸
Free Palestine. Ceasefire NOW! 🇵🇸
February 20, 2024
3.5! Not that there should be a rating for this.
November 26, 2025
It’s devastating to review a book about people who are suffering in real time up to this moment.
Free Palestine.
Free Palestine.
January 3, 2024
In "Dreaming of Freedom", Hashim describes the torments inflicted on children by Israeli Occupation Forces. Here, Hashim describes the even more torturous deeds that are subjected to Palestinian adults. Like that of the younger ones, these accounts provide concrete evidence of Israeli crimes against the civilians of the land that they are illegally occupying and it is about time that the world demands for Israel to be held accountable for these crimes.
December 31, 2023
The first thing that came across my mind when I was reading their diaries : Are they still alive today?
This book exposed to us the writings of Palestinians who were abducted and jailed by Israelis and tell the world how their life was back then in the prison. Hence, Norma Hashim, a Malaysian social activist took this initiatives to publish these stories to reaching out to people and appealing the world to put a stop to this kind of immoral act by the Israelis.
It was really difficult to continue reading this book, it was so hard to digest every single story that they had experienced in life, cannot even imagined that kind of life that they have to go through and in some way, affected them mentally and psychologically.
Here I am sharing some facts about detention figures :
- 800 000 Palestinians arrested since 1967
- 75 000 arrested since the beginning of al-Aqsa intifadha
- 2000 cases of torture in 2008 alone
- Not one criminal investigation initiated
and the world is still silent up until this moment!
This book exposed to us the writings of Palestinians who were abducted and jailed by Israelis and tell the world how their life was back then in the prison. Hence, Norma Hashim, a Malaysian social activist took this initiatives to publish these stories to reaching out to people and appealing the world to put a stop to this kind of immoral act by the Israelis.
It was really difficult to continue reading this book, it was so hard to digest every single story that they had experienced in life, cannot even imagined that kind of life that they have to go through and in some way, affected them mentally and psychologically.
Here I am sharing some facts about detention figures :
- 800 000 Palestinians arrested since 1967
- 75 000 arrested since the beginning of al-Aqsa intifadha
- 2000 cases of torture in 2008 alone
- Not one criminal investigation initiated
and the world is still silent up until this moment!
July 23, 2016
Tak ramai kan tahu apa rasanya Palestinian rasa masa bom dilepaskan dan berdas-das tembakan dari pihak Zionis. Lagilah tak ramai tahu kan apa rasanya berpisah dengan ahli keluarga disebabkan 'kesalahan' pada Zionis dan terpaksa dipenjarakan.
Sebab tu kita masih ada antara kita banyak yang masih lalai.
Buku ini adalah koleksi cerita dari rakyat Palestin yang berpisah dari famili sama ada melalui kematian ataupun dipenjarakan, kekejaman Zionis terhadap rakyat Palestin dan bermacam-macam lagi yang kita tak dapat bayangkan.
Saya masih ingat saya menangis ketika terbaca kisah seorang lelaki yang kematian anaknya. Itu pun tahu setelah dibebaskan dari penjara. Tiada khabar berita yang mampu disampaikan ye jika ditahan di penjara Zionis.
Tidak cukup saja kita baca dan cuma berkongsi kesedihan.
Macam mana satu hari nanti keluarga (ibu bapa, adik beradik, suami atau isteri dan anak cucu) kita pula yang dibedil dan dipisahkan dari kita?
Masihkah kita berada dalam kelalaian?
Sebab tu kita masih ada antara kita banyak yang masih lalai.
Buku ini adalah koleksi cerita dari rakyat Palestin yang berpisah dari famili sama ada melalui kematian ataupun dipenjarakan, kekejaman Zionis terhadap rakyat Palestin dan bermacam-macam lagi yang kita tak dapat bayangkan.
Saya masih ingat saya menangis ketika terbaca kisah seorang lelaki yang kematian anaknya. Itu pun tahu setelah dibebaskan dari penjara. Tiada khabar berita yang mampu disampaikan ye jika ditahan di penjara Zionis.
Tidak cukup saja kita baca dan cuma berkongsi kesedihan.
Macam mana satu hari nanti keluarga (ibu bapa, adik beradik, suami atau isteri dan anak cucu) kita pula yang dibedil dan dipisahkan dari kita?
Masihkah kita berada dalam kelalaian?
September 10, 2014
A must read for those whose hearts find it hard to relate to the Palestinians.
Testimony: "If we cannot release them, then the least we can do is to tell the world about them." - Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Excerpts:-
I am not used to tasting freedom. Now I see it too late. Nothing is left from the memory of prison except a sick body, blind eyes and black memories.
But there is also a glimpse of hope, from which I will start. -Alaa' Albazyan
Nobody knows the meaning of freedom except those who have lost it. - Ali Alamuodi
My life in prison had been longer than my freedom. -Akram Mansor
Testimony: "If we cannot release them, then the least we can do is to tell the world about them." - Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Excerpts:-
I am not used to tasting freedom. Now I see it too late. Nothing is left from the memory of prison except a sick body, blind eyes and black memories.
But there is also a glimpse of hope, from which I will start. -Alaa' Albazyan
Nobody knows the meaning of freedom except those who have lost it. - Ali Alamuodi
My life in prison had been longer than my freedom. -Akram Mansor
August 1, 2022
These stories are so heart breaking, you feel there pain when you yourself have seen many attrocities on your community and people.
There despotism and hegemony will take them down, they potray a different picture in front of world and if people pin point their faults and attrocities its not anti-semitic, its just they dont have enough stomach to acknowledge the fact that how they are worlds largest open prison and how they oppress Palestinians.
There despotism and hegemony will take them down, they potray a different picture in front of world and if people pin point their faults and attrocities its not anti-semitic, its just they dont have enough stomach to acknowledge the fact that how they are worlds largest open prison and how they oppress Palestinians.
December 3, 2013
Amazing accounts of the prisoners that can't be any more realistic - the irony makes this book a must-read: it is filled with warming stories that are heartbreaking, poetic and beautiful stories about their suffering, and film-dramatic moments that are unfortunately realistic. It is a simple book, but with a big message to give to all.
July 13, 2013
I recommend everyone to read this book. Please support Palestinian. Our support give them hopes & light.
Reading their stories make me realize that my problems are nothing compared to their pain and suffering. Pray for Palestine!
Reading their stories make me realize that my problems are nothing compared to their pain and suffering. Pray for Palestine!
June 29, 2013
A good book that shared a personal experience from palestinian voices.
August 1, 2014
overwhelming. real accounts of a prisoner's life of torture physically and emotionally.
July 13, 2023
Excellent book!!!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews