Project Resistance Fighter’s Sweater Sends Body, Soul Warmth
Photos by Moussa Husseini
On the path of resisting the enemy and supporting the resistance fighters, was the course adopted by a group of women who vowed to provide the resistance fighter with the warmth needed to stay on this path.
The warmth of body and soul was the aim.
After a group of women from Mount Lebanon came with the initiative to weave sweaters for resistance fighters, Hizbullah's Women Committee was there to add this creation to the library of support it always presents for the Islamic resistance.
"Resistance Fighter's Sweater" Project
In this context, Hajje Sawsan and Hajje Fatima, who are in charge of organizing the three-month old project, stated that the main approach is in the course of resistance. "This is why we always try to make the most of some occasions in order to relate them to the resistance, in the sense of illustrating its culture", they further explained.
"The culture of resistance should always be present among people, therefore it should be morally, spiritually, and practically expressed", they also added.
On her part, Hajje Fatima reiterated, "From here, the "Resistance Fighter's Sweater" project came to light, and it was sought that the women knit the sweater with love and care".
"A glimpse of bond with the resistance should be seen, even if we weren't in a direct warfare, but we should know that there are resistance fighters who are ready to sacrifice themselves for our land and religion", Fatima said.
"People were very excited for this project. Yet, we found out that very few women in Beirut know how to knit. That is why part of the work was transformed from all-in-all handmade work, to being weaved in the Trico factory", Hajje Fatima narrated.
"The owner of the factory was touched when we informed him of this project and its goal", Hajje Fatima recalled.
She added that the factory's owner said that this project is very important, for it delivers amazing notions, with hopes that it spreads throughout Lebanon.
Noting that the "Resistance Fighter's Sweater" Project was launched during the month of Muharram on the memory of Imam Hussein's martyrdom, Hajje Sawsan stressed that the project was meant to express support for the followers of Imam Hussein.
"We expected that more women know how to weave, so we had a 2-month timeline to deliver 100 sweaters. Thus we had to expand the timeline in order to achieve the hoped amount. Thank God 110 sweaters will be delivered to the resistance fighters by this month", she explained.
In this regard, Hizbullah's Women Committee officials indicated that they will be holding knitting classes in order to expand this knowledge and project in upcoming years.
"The resistance fighter sweater project embraces moral and spiritual indications. We want the resistance fighters to know that we are with them and support them", Hajje Sawsan went on to say.
Letter of Allegiance
"A hand on the rifle, Another Knits a Sweater" was the motto under which the project was built, and a letter was written to accompany the sweater in its journey to meet its owner.
Not only will the resistance fighter get a chance to dive in a sweater weaved on his behalf, but he will receive a letter expressing deep allegiance and support from mothers to their sons.
"Each sweater will be accompanied with a "letter" from us to the resistance fighters, expressing sincere feelings and support", Hajje Fatima added.
Women of Resistance Knit Shades of Warmth
They are mothers. They want their boys to be warm in the drastic circumstances, while their concern is protecting their land and families.
Um Ziad Moustafa stated that her motivation in this regard was the "resistance fighters".
"Because no matter what we do for them, it is not enough", she clarified. "I saw this idea last year conducted by a group of Druze women from Mount Lebanon. I hoped we would be able to take part in such project, and Thank God we were able to make an initiative", Um Ziad added.
On her part, Um Nashat Saleh noted, "I would do anything to support the resistance, so I volunteered to work in this project".
"I am very happy that I am helping the resistance even through very little effort. This is a very nice idea, and I am willing to help them later on", she said with a smile on her face.
Moreover, Um Mohammad Saleh affirmed that when she had a chance to take part in this project she didn't hesitate.
"We started working on this project three months ago, each one of us knitted around 2 sweaters, and some are knitting the third one. We really felt that we wanted to contribute in something for the wellbeing of the resistance fighters", Um Mohammad added.
From a Martyr's Mother to a Resistance Fighter
Deeper feelings and emotions embraced a mother of one of the martyrs who sacrificed themselves in the July 2006 war while defending his country; Martyr Mohammad Sharara. Martyr Mohammad's mother, known as Um Hassan welcomed her neighbors in her home to knit and send warmth to those who are protecting the lands.
"I am a mother of a martyr who was a resistance fighter. I believe that all these resistance fighters are our children, so this sweater is only a symbol of gratitude", she added with tears in her eyes.
Addressing the resistance fighter who will be receiving the sweater that she weaved, Um Hassan stated, "This is a gift from a "martyr's mother to her son the resistance fighter"".
It is like when a child goes back home to eat from his mother's stew; tenderness and love all mixed in a healthy blend that soothes the spirits, reviving emotions filled of warmth and security.
Away from their homes, they miss the hugs and care of their mothers, so these humble sweaters hope that at some point, they would give the resistance fighters warmth as they challenge the hardest blazes while watching over us.
Source: moqawama.org
