Shu'afat: 11th memorial to the murder of the boy Muhammad Abu Khdeir
Sometimes memory burns one’s soul
Even today, eleven years later, I remember as if for the first time how I stepped into the family home of the burnt child – Mohammad Abu Khdeir, my body trembling for fear they (his parents) would see me as the daughter of the people responsible for the tragedy that turned over their world and made me an unwanted guest.
However, they – the mother and father – who asked two questions and were answered, received me with open arms and a friendship that has lasted for years.
I came that day because it is the anniversary of their loss.
The sign with the picture of the murdered boy, taken off by the Jerusalem Municipality’s instruction, was replaced by a plaque hanging on the back of the building. Damages by time and weather have left their mark and his face is no longer seen.
But that which no longer exists outside is alive and breathing inside, among the walls of the home filled with his image and those of the heart, too narrow to contain him.
In memoriam, the family members are planning a procession from the family home to the cemetery on Saturday.
Here are the details of the invitation to the planned event:
In the name of Allah, the One who Does Good and is Compassionate,
“And do not consider those killed on Allah’s way as dead, for they live inf their Master’s name”.
An invitation to take part in the eleventh anniversary of Martyr (Shaheed) Al Fajar Mohammad Hussein Abu Khdeir
With evermore loyalty and appreciation, we invite you to join us in marking the eleventh year of the martyrdom of our son.
This year’s events are limited to placing a wreath on the Martyrs Temple, on Saturday, July 7th, at 5:30 p.m. Assembly will take place at the Shaheed’s father’s home in Jerusalem/Shu’afat. From there we walk to the Martyrs Temple in the Shu’afat cemetery. Your presence is a gesture of honor to his pure soul.
Eternity and honor to our just Martyrs.
Location Description
Checkpoint Shu'afat camp / Anata-Shu'afat (Jerusalem)
See all reports for this place-
The Shu’afat checkpoint is located in the northern part of East Jerusalem at the exit from the village of Anata and the Shu’afat refugee camp, which are located in the area annexed to Jerusalem in 1967. The refugee camp borders the Shu’afat neighborhood to the west, Pisgat Ze’ev to the north, the French Hill neighborhood to the south and the planned expansion of Ma’aleh Adumim to E-1 in the east. It was established in 1966 for 1948 refugees from the West Bank and was populated after the Six Day War by persons who had been expelled from the Jewish Quarter. Today its population comprises some 25,000 people holding blue ID cards and some 15,000 people with Palestinian ID cards. The camp lacks adequate infrastructure and services, and suffers from poverty, neglect and overcrowding. All its buildings are connected to the public electricity and water infrastructure, but not all are connected to the sewer system. The camp’s services are provided by UNRWA, except for those such as health clinics and transportation of pupils to schools in Jerusalem. In 2005, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a suit by the residents requesting that the route of the separation fence be drawn such that the camp would remain on the Israeli side, but conditioned its approval of the route on the establishment of a convenient and rapid crossing facility for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, most of whom are residents of Jerusalem.
A temporary checkpoint operated there until December, 2011. It was extremely congested during rush hours, and dangerous for pedestrians (especially children) because of inadequate safety provisions. The new checkpoint was inaugurated south of the old one, for public and private transportation and for pedestrians, intended solely for the residents of the camp – holders of blue ID cards, and those with Palestinian ID cards who possess appropriate permits. There are five vehicle inspection stations at the checkpoint, and two for pedestrians (one of which is currently closed) where scanners have been installed but are not yet operating. According to the army, representatives of government agencies will also be present to provide services to residents of the neighbourhood. The pedestrian lanes are very long, located far from the small parking lots, and accessible through only a single revolving gate.
Anat TuegJul-02-2025Anata: new traffic circle at the exit junction
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