Ibrahim Halawa has been detained in Egyptian prison for exactly three years. His trial has been delayed many many times.
Ibrahim was 17 when he was arrested in Cairo. He is the son of Ireland’s most senior Muslim cleric and is from Firhouse, Dublin. Amnesty International has previously called for his release in a statement that asserts ‘Ibrahim is a Prisoner of Conscience detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Ibrahim Halawa faces a possible death sentence.
The letter, entitled I’m Sorry It Has Been Three Years, was posted by his family on his Facebook page. It is emotional and the injustice of their situation is present in every line.
It reads:
“I am sorry it has been 3 years.
“DAD, I am sorry that for 3 years your son has been taken away from you without being able to see him. I am sorry that you raised me to be righteous and ambitious, I am sorry you wake up every morning knowing that you might never see me again. I am sorry it has been 3 years.
“Mom, I’m sorry that for 3 years you have been chasing me from prison to prison. I am sorry that you saw me dragged just because you wanted an extra minute to make sure your your son is fine. I’m sorry you can’t be happy with me like most mothers. I’m sorry it has been three years.
“Nosaiba, Ahmed, Somaia, Khadija, Fatima and omaima. I am sorry I couldn’t be there as a brother for you. I am sorry I couldn’t be an uncle for your kids. Somaia and Omaima, I am sorry I couldn’t be at your wedding to take by your hand and make it the best day of your life. I am sorry that standing up for rights had us split up. I am sorry it has been three years.
“Anas my friend, I’m sorry that our plan we drew for ourselves in primary school has ended before it started. I am sorry I can’t be you best friend. I am sorry it has been 3 years.
“Ireland, I’m sorry I’ve been away from you for 3 years. I’m sorry I can’t see your kind people. I’m sorry I can’t see your bright green colour.
“I’m sorry I can’t walk your beautiful mountains. I’m sorry I can’t breathe your reviving air. I’m sorry I can’t soak from you pure rain drops.
“I’m sorry I can’t watch the city as it gets busy early in the morning. I’m sorry I can’t live the happiness of the villages around Ireland. I’m sorry I can’t watch the blue sea from your high cliffs. I’m sorry it has been 3 years.
Irish people, I’m sorry that for 3 years you have been fighting for my release. I’m sorry for the years I have missed between you.
“I’m sorry for missing out on all the Irish gatherings. I’m sorry I was stolen away from the warmth of the Irish laughter. I’m sorry for a limitless language expressing limitless feelings, but I’m fighting for what you thought me to die for.
“I’m fighting for other to gain democracy like back home. I’m sorry that I am willing to die for freedom. I am sorry it has been three years.
Ibrahim Halawa
17/08/2016″
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
