Dear Friends,
I hope this email finds you well.
Firstly, I wish to thank you for you continued support since my release from Gaza . The kindness offered to me since my return to Bradford has been overwhelming, and I am extremely grateful for all the hard work and solidarity shown by everyone who took action to secure my release.
Being able to return to my studies, my home and my work has been such a relief, but I know I am one of the very lucky few in Gaza Strip. The Conditions in Gaza for people trying to continue with their ordinary lives is harsh. The siege continues to put unbearable pressure on families trying to run a home, work, access health care, education or travel freely. We must continue to do what we can to raise awareness of the terrible injustice of this situation. Israel 's claims to search for peace, this will not be achieved by this collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Since my release, I have spoken at meetings and events across the country to raise awareness of the reality of the situation. Earlier this week I was invited to speak at a Parliamentary meeting and I was very pleased to see such broad support for the people of Palestine. And so our work continues. We must continue our campaigning for the our people in Palestine .
Secondly I wish to update you with news of my current situation. My detention in Gaza and the subsequent campaign to secure my release has shown me personally the power we have as individuals.
The support from many organisations such as UCU, NUS and my own Student's Union here in Bradford University was invaluable. Now, in turn I must repay that support.
That is why I have decided to stand for the position of Secretary-Treasurer at the University of Bradford Students ' Union in the forthcoming elections on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th March, 2008.
As a Union Officer I seek to prioritise the needs of our students to make sure our Student's Union is at the heart of all students' lives.
I know first hand the importance of the support from the Students' Union therefore I want to ensure that every student at the University of Bradford shares that support by having a strong and accountable Union.
To do this, my friends, I ask for your support. If you are a University of Bradford student, please take your student card to a ballot box on campus on either day to cast your vote for me.
If you are not a University of Bradford student, please share this email with any friends who are.
I thank you for your support and look forward to being able to help by offering such wonderful support and opportunity to others as a Union Officer. I know I am the person capable of making sure our Union is there for all students, whatever their needs.
Together we are strong...
With warm regards,
Khaled Al-Mudallal
Wednesday 20-02-2008
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Dear All,
Many thanks to all, who have supported me in the Rally yesterday, at Bradford University
Please wait for an update in my web site, I'll keep you informed about my situation.
Keep campaigning...
Khaled
Wednesday 03-10-2007
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Dear All,
Peace be upon you,
This is me Khaled AlMudallal, 22 years old; I was born in Rafah refugee camp-Palestine. The life in the camp was extremely difficult. We had to live under difficult conditions due to the shortage of basic life needs.
Throughout my studies I went into difficult times because of the continuous Israeli restrictions on my people in Gaza Strip, while I was a kid I used to witness the Israeli army breaking into our homes in the camps, these scenes were so terrifying to me, which eventually left a bad and frightening image.
While I was 16 I visited the United Kingdom for the first time in my life to see my Dad who was studying PhD at Bradford university and then I decided to continue my education in the City of Bradford, I went to Grange College till I completed my GCSE's and A-Levels then I joined Bradford School of Management with grades (A,B,C,C) to do Business and Management studies, I lived in the UK by myself after my Dad finished his studies in 2004.
In December 2006 I visited my family after nearly 5 years of not being able to visit Palestine because of the occupation in the Gaza Strip. Finally I got there just to see my family and meet my fiancée for the first time. During that time Israel had closed the border for nearly two months which caused missing all my first semester's exams of my second year, I then arrived to Bradford university half-way through of my second semester after opening the border for few days.
My plan after arriving to the UK in February 2007 is to work hard on my studies in the second semester to do my course work and exams, then go back to Palestine in June to come back my new wife and return quickly to the UK after the board of examination of the university decided that I can do the missing exams in August 2007. Since then I was trapped in Gaza after Israel decided to close the Rafah crossing border, which is the only border for the Gazans.
I am asking you to:
I only ask everybody to listen to me and get me my basic right of movement and education back, I ask all my friends in the UK to campaign against these unjust policies against me and hundreds of Palestinians students in Gaza Strip. I ask the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom to urgently contact the Israeli government to stop immediately the warfare against the Palestinians.
Many thanks from Gaza,
Khaled AlMudallal
Sunday 30-09-2007
