Alina Kanaan

Chapter 3

Indeed my Lord is Near and Responsive (Quran 11:61)

I wait nervously backstage for my turn to get onstage. Today is the first day of the show. I basically have to sing for my survival. It’s so important to me that I make it in these next two days. After that, I’ll be in the Top 24, in sha Allah.

                Even though I’m eager to be here, I’m depressed because my friends and family won’t be here after this week. They all have to go to school or work. The people who supported me and still do will be gone. I’m thankful to have my mom and dad staying though.

                “Alina, you’re on after the break.” A crew member says to me. My heart starts to beat out of my chest. Within a couple hours, this will be on TV throughout the whole nation! They’ll see me sing, evem if the judges decide to send me home.

                “Don’t be nervous! You’re here for a reason.” The crew member comforts me and smiles.

                “You’re right!” I exclaim. I suddenly feel more motivated.

                I remember a week ago when I first saw my audition aired on TV. Before I even auditioned, the producers were so interested in my story that they came to Santa Rosa to interview my parents and I. They also filmed some of my daily life and included it when they aired the audition.

                While they interviewed me, I became very emotional when I talked about living in the Middle East. When I watched it, I could seriously see the hurt and longing in my face. I’m surprised that I didn’t hold anything back.

                Sitting here backstage, I think of how I got to America.

                I was born in Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on April 28, 1996. I lived in Palestine for most of my life. I was constantly used to war. Hearing bombs and grenades in the background was something normal. Gaza used to be Israeli control, so us Arabs were treated horribly. I remember going through checkpoint after checkpoint just to go to school a few miles away.

                I remember that in 2005, Israel left Gaza. Everyone in Gaza, I mean everyone, had a huge celebration. It almost felt like it was Eid. I finally felt free. I didn’t feel like I was being watched anymore.

                The sweet freedom only lasted so long. On July 12, 2006, Israel bombed Lebanon. Some of my family is Lebanese and still live where Israel bombed. We were terrified for our family and for ourselves. We knew that since Israel messed with one of our fellow Arab countries, Palestine would fight the Israelis.

                A few days later, my dad told my mom and siblings that we were moving to Cairo, Egypt. Some of our family lived and still lives there. My dad was offered to become the manager of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence. My dad saw it as a good opportunity to move us to somewhere safer. Besides, Egypt already had a peace treaty with Israel.

                Once we moved to Cairo, I asked my dad why we didn’t stay in Palestine to fight against the Israelis.

                “Ya habibty, I wanted us to, but I want you and Mama and your brothers and sisters to be safe. We will always fight for Palestine and our Arab countries with our minds and hearts. Violence isn’t always the answer.” He explained.

                We lived in Egypt for a while, but then the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 began. On January 25, 2011, I remember seeing thousands of people run to Tahrir Square in Cairo. There were constant demonstrations, marches, plaza occupations, riots, acts of civil disobedience, and strikes. There was also non-violent civil resistance.