Arafat's sister: Let my brother rest in peace
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E-mail Xinhua, November 27, 2012
The heart of Khadija Arafat, sister of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, was full of sadness, just hours before international experts will dig up the remains of her brother from his tomb in the West Bank city of Ramallah to know the reasons behind his death.
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Khadija Arafat, the 80-year-old younger sister of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, receives an interview with Xinhua in Gaza city, Nov. 26, 2012. Khadija Arafat strongly opposed the opening of her brother's tomb and taking samples of his remains. (Xinhua/Eman Jomaa) |
The 80-year-old younger sister of Arafat lives lonely in an apartment in Gaza city with only her assistant as companion. In an interview with Xinhua, she said that she strongly opposes the opening of her brother's tomb and taking samples of his remains.
"Opposing the whole issue is not only my opinion, or the opinion of the family, but also so many Palestinians in the Palestinian territories and abroad who are opposing the opening of Abu Ammar (Yasser Arafat)'s grave," she said with a sad voice and tears on her cheeks.
"Now he is resting in peace in his grave, so please let him rest in peace," referring to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)'s decision to open his tomb on Tuesday to examine samples of his remains and to know the reasons behind his death eight years ago.
Several international experts from France, Switzerland and Russia arrived in Ramallah to dig up remains of Arafat. But Khadija, who sounded outraged, said "No one had asked my permission to open my brother's grave and take samples of his remains."
"No one in the Palestinian leadership or in the Palestinian Authority has contacted me in any of the issues that are related to Yasser Arafat," said Khadija. But she said some individuals in the PNA contact me personally "and brief me on what is going on and to ask about my health."
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