Taryam, my dear brother,

God wished that you leave us in the time that your presence was needed most - when you pen that never tired, nor flattered or cajoled, was needed to speak the truth and to say what nobody else dared to talk about.

I miss you everyday, so does "Al Khaleej", which never fails to carry news from new talented writers. It proves daily that the physical departure from this world is the easiest of all departures, especially when the ideas remain alive.

How many debates and arguments we used to have, always mixed with fear for the Arab situation and future. I remember very well your worries of tomorrow, because you used to see the coming catastrophe, as what was happening then carried with it the seeds of evil that would kill the Arab dreams.

Our dreams and ambitions were not rosy- each of us was honest and transparent because we realized that nice dreams could not survive in a swamp overflowing with fear for the destiny of a people and a nation.

What you feared is happening, brother Taryam. An international decision to slaughter our nation has been made, in accordance to a precise scenario and with great support and participation of many parties.

At present, another Arab people are subjected to annihilation in various parts of Iraq. The plot hovers over our heads, taking the lives of innocent children, old men and women, and attempting to uproot Arab resistance and pride.

Our nation is facing a massacre, a premeditated one... Our times are black and gloomy and what you have predicted is now a reality - some Arab authorities and regimes are showing an unprecedented weakness and readiness to surrender. Your expectations of some super powers trying to impose a unilateral hegemony over the world are happening too.

You feared the effect of some super powers on our Arab people and on the whole world. At that time, there were a few of those powers, and their effect was more limited.

But now, with the whole world in the hand of one Super Power, the United States, everything has become different. Some people were suffering from poverty, suppression, oppression and deprivation. But now, most of the world's population suffers the same.

You were expecting this day, and always called for caution and readiness to face it. You wanted us not to think about our own worries, but to think about the nation, so it remains strong. The good news, dear Taryam, is that despite the merciless aggression we face, our people are fighting back, paying heavy sacrifices, but not surrendering.

Our Arab brothers are still full of life, and our Palestinian people are still holding their positions despite the Zionist attack, defending and facing calmly the powerful Israeli arsenal.

Our Palestinian people are still defending the dignity and honour of the Arab and Islamic Nations. They refuse to cease their resistance, although they do not get any help from any Arab or Islamic party. On the contrary to all expectations, sometimes some Arab and Islamic circles take part in the besieging of the Palestinian People. But they go their fight. This is our destiny to fight and continue to fight, and never stop our resistance.

Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor