Despite being 7,000km away from Gaza, Penang-based Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin was compelled to act.
An Emeritus Professor of Performing Arts at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Arts, Mohamed Ghouse decided to publish a book titled ‘Lost Nation Dirge for Palestine’ to raise awareness on the ongoing massacre of Palestine and its people by Israel.
The 75-page book features a dirge (lament) titled ‘Dirge for Palestine’ and 13 articles on the Gaza conflict written by Mohamed Ghouse for his column in Twentytwo13.
“I felt so angry and helpless, and since I cannot contribute physically in Palestine, I wanted to contribute emotionally. The injustice faced by Palestinians for over 70 years, abetted by global powers without conscience, deeply moved me,” said Mohamed Ghouse.
“I had to express my anger and helplessness by penning this dirge, compiling my articles, and publishing the book,” he added.
This marks the first time Mohamed Ghouse has written a dirge, which he completed over two months.
“I kept revisiting and reworking the draft, going through each quatrain repeatedly. Writing a dirge is not straightforward as it demands carefully chosen words,” said the 80-year-old, who credited his daughter, Faradina Ghouse, for funding the book’s publication.
‘Lost Nation Dirge for Palestine’ was launched in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 16, 2024.
Some of the articles featured in the book include Israel – A rogue state that we need to stand up to; America, Britain and the world need to realise that all lives matter, including Palestinians; Diplomacy, a meaningless word in the Palestinian-Israeli war; and Has humanity failed Palestinians?
Mohamed Ghouse, who has published over 180 articles in local and international journals and authored or edited 15 books on traditional Malay dance, music, theatre, anthropological medicine, and Malay playwrights, hopes his latest work will highlight the plight of Palestinians.
“The narrative impact is in my opinion pieces in Twentytwo13, while the dirge vividly captures the suffering of Palestinians,” he explained.
‘Lost Nation Dirge for Palestine’ was launched by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak during the Malam Pulau Pinang 2024 on Nov 16 in Kuala Lumpur.
The event, organised by the Persatuan Kebajikan Anak Melayu Pulau Pinang di Wilayah Persekutuan dan Selangor (Pekenang), gathered over 800 Pekenang members and corporate representatives. Among those present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Founded in 1968 with 800 members, Pekenang is an association for Penang-born Malays living in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
Editor’s note: ‘Lost Nation Dirge for Palestine’ is distributed free. To obtain a copy, contact Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin at +6013-420 6000.
