The Middle Between Us: A Novel by Itamar S. N

Author:Itamar S. N. [S. N., Itamar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

Rashid looked down. Anush could see he was distraught and trying to compose himself. It took some time before he was able to speak. “If I have complete trust in Allah and in the way of Islam, as brought down by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet, then why am I ashamed of my Muslim brothers who are brutally harming His holy name? The Turks are doing horrible things in the false name of religion. They are killing Armenians, young and old. They are raping the women and ransacking their property. They are driving hundreds, maybe thousands out of their homes, leaving them with no roofs over their heads, and not even a crumb of bread to keep them from starving, or warm clothes to shield them from the cold. And what are we doing? Joining the festivities. Like sharks, smelling distant blood and rushing to devour the scents and sights of the festival of horror. For hundreds of years this land has been a place of co-existence, Christian, Muslim, Azeri and Armenian, a co-existence that is now being destroyed in the filthy hands of those claiming to be doing the will of Allah. This is not the will of the Lord, but that of the devil. Rashid had to stop and breathe, allowing the cold breeze to calm his rage.

“When did we lose our way? The Lord and Mohammed gave us freedom of religion and coexistence with Ahl Al Kitab, the People of the Books, the Old and New Testament. I pray to him day and night to guide us back to the path of the righteous.” Anush was at a loss for words. He wanted to go straight to Katya and warn her, but of what? Where would the malevolence come from?

“What should I do, Rashid? What will become of Katya and her family? Are they in danger?” Rashid raised his hands in the air helplessly.

“I don’t know what to tell you, my son. I didn’t want to burden you, but you needed to know the truth. They must already know the truth. There are rumors that quite a few Armenians in the area have already started packing their belongings in the hope of escaping danger. They prefer to live as refugees and are leaving for Georgia or north towards Russia, hoping someone there will protect them, or at least accept them. You should be aware that Katya may have to leave you. If she does, don’t try to prevent her and don’t be angry at her. Perhaps after the war you would be able to reunite in a better, more tolerant world, Insha’Allah. In the meantime, let her go, even encourage her to go. They will fight back, I’m sure. It’s just a matter of time. Our side will suffer too, but they are few, and we are many. Their fate is bound to be worse.”

Rashid and Anush sat side by side in silence. Each was caught up in his own thoughts: Anush of Katya, and Rashid of his disappointments in mankind generally and specifically in the people of his own religion.

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