Gaza Forgotten: A Woman's journey to an open air prison

'I am not a writer. I never intended to write this book, but the Almighty Allah has plans for all of us.' In August 2011, the Africa 1 Aid Convoy set off from South Africa to travel up the length of the continent and enter Gaza via Egypt. The convoy had been made possible by the generosity of Muslims all over South Africa. One of the people attached to the project was Shenaaz Farred from Johannesburg. Gaza was being bombarded by Israel at the time. Nevertheless the convoy entered with its precious cargo of medical supplies, generators, water desalination units, and sundry educational requirements. What happened during the seven days of their visit forms the substance of this book. Among the detritus of war the inextinguishable spirit of humanity shines through. Shenaaz Farred writes with extraordinary compassion yet with an equally extraordinary absence of rancour. She has been married for thirty-eight years and has four children and ten grandchildren. Her passion for charity work drove her into the heart of Gaza and back. 'I love Gaza and the people there. I will continue to do all I can to join hands with them and support them in their time of need.'