Sawt al-Mara — English Edition

Loreen Rihani

A reportage by: Majida Attar

Wishes... are like children... the pieces of one's heart! A person lulls them... tends them and nurtures them... watches over them with a sleepless eye.. and tireless hands... fears for them from every harm... and witnesses the completion of their growth and development... with a contented, satisfied... tranquil eye!

And the day a person is struck in one of his wishes... it is as though he were struck in the dearest of his children... And how happy he is the day a wish comes true for him... you see him, having gained confidence in himself... and strength and resolve to press on toward the loftier aim and the greater mission...

And you, my lady reader.. did you think, as you tore off the calendar's last leaf.. of which of your cherished wishes were fulfilled in the course of this departing year??..

These are the wishes of a company of life's successful people.. wishes the departing year fulfilled for them... Among these successful ones... the politician.. the journalist... the lawyer.. and the social pioneer...

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Ustad Rashid Karami

He was wrapped in his cloak, warding off the bitter winter cold, like a hermit at prayer in his sanctuary... I said to him...

— In the course of this year you have held all manner of high posts... from deputy to minister to Prime Minister... what, then, do you suppose you have realized of your wishes???

Ustad Karami looked into the distance.. and the ghost of a smile passed over his lips... I labored long to interpret it and did not succeed... Then the words came... flowing from his mouth... beautiful... serene... assured...

He said:..

— The first wish fulfilled for me with the passing of the year 1956 is that it added another year to my life; and this year has added to me a new experience of life that makes me incline more and more toward the ranks of hermits and mystics — which

explains the great wish this year also fulfilled, one I used to feel and long to realize, namely the performance of the sacred duty of the pilgrimage...

And Ustad Karami smiles slyly... and goes on to say: — And since this talk is for "The Woman's Voice," this year has also increased my knowledge of the "daughter of Eve," which has made me believe in her as an effective element in the life of the nation, in view of the grave role for which divine power has prepared her; she is without doubt an element of goodness, love, and peace — save those among them whom time has corrupted... And last but not least, the year 1956 gave Arab nationalism a broad field in which to prove its truth and prove its strength..

And Ustad Rashid laughs merrily as he ends his talk, saying:

— I bear a grudge against the departing year, because it fulfilled none of my personal wishes!..

(Ustad Karami is still a bachelor, searching for his sweet other half...)

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And Dr. Edmond Rabbath... the lawyer