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SUMMARY

AUDIO

VIDEO/CAPTIONS

1

Land

Al-Shafiyah South of Iraq

2

This land was one of the most fertile lands for cultivation

This land was one of the most fertile areas for agriculture.

3

Sheikh

It has turned into an empty useless land MOVE

4

Here people used to live,

Many people used to live here.

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more than 15 families used to reside here

Name caption;

Sheikh Kazem Al Kaabi

Farmer

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Overnight he is no longer here,

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Has left and migrated to the town

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I lost my brother, dear friends and loyal neighbors

I lost dear friends and loyal neighbors.

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We shared everything together. Happy times.

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Now nobody shares anything with me,

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I’m just face to face with this empty land.

Caption:

Farmers like Sheikh Kazem are being driven from the land by climate change

11A

Drone shot of empty land

Wheat comparison  - small ear of wheat next to larger ear of wheat

Sheikh

This is supposed to be its normal condition,

And this has undergrown

They’re moving to cities like Baghdad

Lots of traffic in Baghdad

12

From 15 years and onward,

But Baghdad is getting hotter too

Cop: master interview

Now The temperature is extremely high, today it was 56.

The other day it was even 60.

The temperature is extremely high, today it was 56.

The other day it hit 60.

Shot of traffic cop sweating and in vision in master interview

The beautiful transition from drone shot of Iraq street to drone shot of empty river - was in the cut but can’t find timecode right now

13

As extreme heat hits Iraq, Sheikh Kezem is determined to save his way of life

182

Sheikh

It might sound strange, but to me this land is more precious than a son.

End on drone shot

TITLE:

LIFE AT 50C:

IRAQ

Caption;

Date caption:

April 2021

More than 15 farming families have left Sheikh Kezem’s village.

13A

It has turned into an empty useless land

14

The main reason is certainly is the climate

The reason, of course, is the rise in temperatures, climate change, and desertification.

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The rise in temperature

15A

meaning a shift in climate zone

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The Sheikh is going to visit his farm.

He’s risking his savings on this year’s crop of wheat.

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Sheikh

Farming here is like bidding on unknown

Farming here is a gamble

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Because we can’t be sure that supply of water will continue

because water is in such short supply.

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Obviously, if we don’t get water supplied within the next 10 days, the crop will fail.

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Insert shot of empty water ditch

Caption:

There’s less rainfall in the area.

Low levels in the nearby Tigris River means irrigation channels are dry.

22

Sheikh in car

Young people are always looking for life

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Room

A young man when they reach 18,

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Marries and has two children

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He looks for prosperity and comfort

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Looking for a simple life,

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This was available in the village 25 years ago

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That diminishes now,

You can find a young boy joining the police force,

He joins the army or peshmerga in the north.

188

Sheikh

One of my children  just said to me,

189

Sheikh

‘Dad let me leave farming, and I promise to look after us for a year’

190

Sheikh

Which means he will take care of our expenses

191

Sheikh

I said, even if you double the amount I will not let you go

192

Sheikh

Just like my Dad taught me to love this land I will force you too

193

Sheikh

But when I die, or you get old, you will say, ‘My Dad was right.’

182

Sheikh

You might not believe me, but the earth is more precious than a son

183

Sheikh

Humans always want their [only] son to be better than them

[connects to fact that he won’t let his son leave and go to the city]

MOVED TO LATER AT END OF FILM

184

Sheikh

I want this land, that nourished and raised me, I want it to be my breath.

Of course, every human being wants their son to do better than them.

186

Sheikh

I want to breathe it in: to go out and see the greenery and the water.

187

Sheikh

I believe this is the highest level of pleasure a man can live for.

34

Land

Extreme heat and drought partly due to climate change

have forced many to leave the countryside for the city.

X million Iraqi farmers have moved to cities in the last X years.

While people are stop

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Town

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Policeman

(in arabic telling cars to move quickly)

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My name is Sa’ad Saddam Abdulhasan

Name caption;

Officer Sa’d Saddam Abdulhasan

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I work on the Andalus junction in Karrada.

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It is an important junction in the city centre.

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(utters to cars to move on in Arabic)

Caption;  Baghdad’s population has increased by X percent in the last ten years

And traffic has increased by Y. 

Baghdad’s population has grown from 6.5 million to 8.6 million in the last ten years.

Source: Ministry of planing/iraq

Its traffic has increased by 70 percent.

Source: ministry of transportations/iraq

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At the beginning of the working day,

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Thousands of cars pass through the intersection

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Heavy traffic // requires 100% concentration from the officer.

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(Utters to the drivers in Arabic)

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He must control the junctions fully

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Because all the streets will be crowded and

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Every one wants to reach the destination fast

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This makes you stand continuously under the sun

The real challenge is standing under the sun whilst trying to control the junction and avoid chaos.

50

To control the junction and avoid chaos

51

(Talks to public about the hot weather)

52

Now the temperature is extremely high,

New caption:  Last year Baghdad had x days above 50C

Source

Ministry of Transportation.. weather broadcast dep.

This summer there have been 26 days over 50C in Iraq.

Source

Ministry of Transportation.. weather broadcast dep.

Cars using fossil fuels drive climate change and create urban hotspots. 

53

Today it was 56

The temperature is extremely high, today it was 56.

The other day it hit 60.

Source: team measurement.

55

Policeman

 When you complete your day without accidents, trouble and no traffic violations

Today went by without any traffic accidents, rule violations or disasters.

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It was a good day. 

[calm / quiet / lucky]

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I may some times even in bed I give signals.

I think I might even give traffic signals in my sleep.

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59

land

Caption: Climate change and lack of water has caused the harvest season to be earlier this year

Date caption: June 2021

It’s harvest time on Sheikh Kezem’s farm. 

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tractor

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Sheikh

Today we are at the end of the harvest, the wheat

Today it’s time to harvest the wheat and barley crop that we planted six months ago.

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and barley crop that started six months ago.

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In theory, today the farmer is in celebration and joy

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To receive the fruits of his effort

This is supposed to be its normal condition,

This wheat head is the right size.  This one has under-grown.

And this has undergrown

Normally it should be twice this length.

This affects the amount of grain we produce.

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This year due to circumstances: lack of rain, high temperatures, lack of water;

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yields have decreased to less than five hundred kilos of wheat per acre.

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Again, need to clarify. Is he saying that profit is zero?

Minus expenses, it means my profit is zero.

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tractor

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Sheikh

This is supposed to be its normal condition,

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And this has undergrown

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This we see it is longer, but normally it should be

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Twice this length, this affects the amount of grain

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Inside the spike, and also yields of a dunum.

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If you calculate the economic feasibility

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Of harvesting a dunam of this land.

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You find it a hundred percent loss.

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land

In recent years, as BAghdad has grown from x to y in population,

city housing has expanded into what was farmland,

including the area where Officer Saad is building his new house.

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Building, Sa’ad

Hassuni, come on lets do some work while the weather is nice, we could finish a couple of metres

Caption; Officer Sa’d Saddam Abdulhasan

82

Sayf can prepare the cement

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As you see, today is my off day, I am supposed to

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Relax, sleep

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You see this home is in an agricultural zone

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Since I built it,

I have not paid back all my debts.

88

I’m doing most of this building work, to save money.

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Building over the green belt has made the city hotter.

The green belt of farmland around Baghdad kept it slightly cooler;

But now it’s being buit over, contributing to the city’s rising heat.

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Labour work

Manual labour is difficult enough when it is hot.

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Especially when the temperature is very high.

But it’s especially difficult when it’s really hot.

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Son

Next, you’ll have to plaster my home Dad!

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Sa’ad

Sure, but for a daily fee!

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Son

I will pay you half

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Sa’ad

No, only for a full day

MOVED FROM EARLIER

Now the temperature is extremely high, today it was 56

More shots of hot traffic and hot Baghdad - maybe 30s total - a

The other day it reached 60 even

99

Road

GFX - nice place for a junction

100

Sheikh

Today, just now we entered Baghdad

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The Sheikh is on a mission to the capital get water for his community

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He hopes this will stop more farmers emigrating

103

Sheikh

We plan to meet one of the officials of the ministry

104

Sheikh

To present our difficulties especially lack of water

Place  Capition

In the absenc of the Sheikh the community is meeting to discuss the water crisis

In Sheikh Kezem’s village, those still farming are in crisis due to lack of water.

Summer heat is peaking - our team measured 60.2c

105

You can certainly feel the heat.

This tent is the only thing protecting us from the sun.

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The main reason is drought,

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When there was water we used to plant every type of crop.

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We could survive and support our families. We had good incomes.

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Now we are waiting for God’s mercy.

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People face starvation

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It’s counted as a disaster zone

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All moved

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We are the only ones left living on this barren land

Location Caption: Baghdad

115

Sheikh

They appoint me today to meet the officials and very much hope that they will understand us

New Caption:

Sheikh Kezem has come to Baghdad to meet officials on behalf of his village.

116

Sheikh

Hopefully we will get enough water to farm this winter season.

117

Sheikh

This is what our people wait for.

That’s what our people are holding out for.

Baghdad is also suffering a water crisis. 

The Tigris River is dangerously low.

Possiable MAP

The Tigris river is known as the spine of Iraq, connecting the north to the south

Now it’s levels are dangerously low

Caption; Sheikh Kezem and his friend have come to see for themselves.

Sheikh

Abu Ali, look at the state of the Tigris now.

We could cross it and not drown.

Sheikh

If we go back in history to 1988

Sheikh

I was a medical student

Sheikh

I was two years in Baghdad here for the duration of the study

Sheikh

We couldn’t come down this much

Sheikh

The water level used to reach up to the banks.

Sheikh

Now the water is still and calm.  I’ve never seen it like this.

It used to flow so fast.

Sheikh

It was fast and frightening

118

Sheikh

Our problem is that we receive water from the Shatt al-Diwaniyah diversion

Caption; Ministry of Water Resources

Caption: The Ministry decides how water is distributed nationally.  The Sheikh pleads for his area.

119

Sheikh

The problem was we didn’t receive enough water

120

Sheikh

We want you to intervene from your side and the Directorate of Water Resources

As the General Director of Water Resources, we want you intervene.

121

Official from Ministry

If we give you a brief about the water situation in Iraq, we are these few years

To give you a brief description of the situation in Iraq, this year has been one of the scarcest years for water.

Name caption; Ali Radhi Thamer, Director General of the Ministry

of Water Resources.

122

We have our revenues tI We o do this in Tigris and Euphrates

The amount of water flowing into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has decreased by 50%, compared to last year.

123

It has decreased nearly 50 percent this year from last year

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The main reason is the issue of existing climate changes

The main reason for this is climate change.

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Official from Ministry

Today we see very high temperatures, we see less rains, of course, in the upstream countries as well

126

Official from Ministry

These things result in weak snow cover

127

Official from Ministry

The Iraq system is designed around water availability.

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Official from Ministry

Iraq has never faced a situation like this.

129

Sheikh

We already understand that there are water shortages in Iraq.  We live with the problem everyday.

130

Sheikh

But whenever a certain quantity of water comes in  and our river is not prepared to receive it,

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Sheikh

This particular river, although it is a river of public utility.

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Sheikh

Last year, not a single government excavator been alocated for it.

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Sheikh

We need your efforts by providing excavators today as the season starts 1st September

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Sheikh

I believe during a month it can be cleaned

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Official from Ministry

I will present your concerns to the relevant departments.

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Official from Ministry

I promise that action will be taken.

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Official from Ministry

God willing very soon.

n

148

As the summer temperature rises above 50 degrees, many activities are held during nightfall

New caption:

Because of the summer heat in Baghdad, many activities take place at night.

149

Abbas is the favoured child of the family.

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He loves football and plays well.

It’s 8 pm and 39.5C.  Sa’ad’s 15 year old son is playing a football match.

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Hey Messi

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Football coach

The heat makes it difficult for players to breathe.

153

Football coach

We have water here for when you get thirsty.  Have a drink and then get back out on the pitch.

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Football coach

Take breaks and don’t overexert yourself.

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Football coach

Got that?

156

Traffic cop

I came to watch the game

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Traffic cop

My son is one of the players on this team

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Traffic cop

I want to support him and keep his morals high.

I’m here to support and encourage my boy.

Come on, Abbusi!

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Power cuts are common during the summer months due to high demand for electricity, as people attempt to stay cool

There’s a power cut. 

They’re common in summer;

electricity use soars at night as everyone tries to cool down at home.

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The electricity has just been cut for a minute.

God willing, it will come back.

161

The Sheikh is bringing the farmers the news from the Ministry.

162

Sheikh

Yesterday we went to Baghdad.

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Sheikh

Some friends arranged a meeting with a spokesperson from the Ministry of Water Resources.

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Sheikh

He said; tell me exactly what you need so I can help

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Sheikh

I said; the first we need is three long armed excavators

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Sheikh

Because the canal is 10km long and government excavators work one day and ten days not

Does this need R2R

167

Sheikh

We’ve been deprived of water and electricity.  We have nothing!

168

Sheikh

The representative said ‘consider it done’.

But I warned him - if t

he water’s not supplied by mid-August, it will be useless.

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There is no water!

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Nuriyah canal has been dry since 1990.

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No plants!

From here until Ghattara will get water one day in two months

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Sheikh

I have faith in what he’s promised.

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Sheikh

There’s nothing we can do now but wait.

Shot of greenbelt -

Can we have some GVs of the playground as we don’t really know where we are

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Traffic cop

We come here to spend some good time

175

Traffic cop

At work there is a great deal of pressure on us, on the streets and in office

176

Traffic cop

In my job, I am exposed to everything because I am in the middle of the street

177

Traffic cop

I can get hit by a car

178

Traffic cop

Fainting due to the heat

Need more thoughts from him about Baghdad getting more full and hotter.

Those lines been sent to him and will get it recorded today. Something along those lines

1- Many people are forced to live in Baghdad to look for jobs and the city is getting full

2-And the traffic is so much worse then it was.

3-The belt around Bagdad was designed to cool the city, but its gradually been lost, as population rises the city gets expanded and this means it effect the hart of Baghdad and we fell the  heat rising year by year.

179

Traffic cop

But my view of work is the same as my view of life

180

Traffic cop

When I stand in the street, I feel that there is a great responsibility on me

181

Traffic cop

Which is safeguarding people’s lives

182

Sheikh

You might not believe me, but the earth is more precious than a son

183

Sheikh

Humans always want their son to be better than them

184

Sheikh

But I want to see this land that nourished and raised me

185

Sheikh

I want it to be my breath

186

Sheikh

To breathe it in and to go out and see the green and the water

187

Sheikh

I believe this is the highest level of pleasure a man can live for

The Ministry couldn’t promise more water, but did clear irrigation canals so that more could reach the farms

after the panting season

They have missed the autumn planting deadline.

The Sheikh’s eldest son is now in business selling farmland in the nearest city.

Of course, every parent wants their son to do better than them.

[connects to fact that he won’t let his son leave and go to the city]

188

Sheikh

Do you know what one of my sons said to me?

189

Sheikh

He said  ‘Dad, let me leave farming [and work in the city] and I promise to look after the family for a year.’

190

Sheikh

Which means he would reduce the financial burden on me, and cover all our expenses himself.

191

Sheikh

I said ‘I swear to God, even if you offered double that, I will not let you leave this land.’

192

Sheikh

Just like my Dad taught me to love this land, I will force you too

My father raised me to love this land, and I will force you to do the same.

193

Sheikh

But when I die, or when you grow old, you will say ‘My Dad was right.’