120 Heroes of Hope: Honoring Qanta Ahmed, A Heroine of Wisdom

By Justine Zwerling

Shalom, Salaam, Hello – In case you’re losing hope in Muslims, Christians, Jews, Druze & people of all faiths – in humanity – PLEASE DON’T! سلام שלום

We decided not to wait until after this horrific war, with 50 of our hostages still being held by terrorists for 644 days, before recognizing true leaders & unsung heroes. We are honoring, thanking, and celebrating our brothers and sisters of all faiths, who bravely stand by our side through this darkness, hand in hand, day and night. Our 120 heroes and builders of the Middle East, and our Globe, bring light, hope, truth, & wisdom. The number 120 in Judaism means life—a full life.

Drum Roll for our 57th Heroine Qanta Ahmed MD FACP FCCP FAASM, She is a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum, a life member, Council on Foreign Relations, and an Honorary Fellow at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. She is the author of ‘In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor’s Journey in the Saudi Kingdom’

Her name means one who is in deepest supplication and communion with God, it also means an emergence from the Arabic root for the word content.

Her wise words: “Suggesting symmetry between Israel and Hamas fundamentally ruptures the sense that the lives of Jews and all Israelis matter – Islamism is not Islam. Islam demands that we as Muslims have sympathy for our fellow beings even if, mortals that we are, we might feel allegiance to our own.

Many under such allegiance are legitimizing Hamas, deluded by the dehumanization of the Jewish people that Islamism indoctrinates. Far from a moral stance, tolerating Hamas or even going so far as to celebrate it as in some way “defenders” of the Palestinians against the Israelis is, in fact, an immoral fallacy. The Quran reminds us to “Contend not on behalf of the treacherous. Plead not on behalf of those who persist in being unfaithful. God loves not those who are perfidious.” Quran 4;106-108 Israel is part of humanity and is fighting Hamas on behalf of humanity. When Israel is bleeding and broken, a part of our humanity – my humanity – bleeds too. We CANNOT leave any chance of reliving this conflict again.”

With our hearts broken, terror, missiles, & antisemitism surrounding us, our resolve to Live, Love, & Build a better future is resolute. We are building a new future together, based on peace, friendship, culture, shared values, coexistence, & mutual respect.

Quanta, may your light, voice, & wisdom continue to shine, heal, & inspire the world. Mabrouk مبروك, Mazel Tov מזל טוב Thank you! 120 Heroes Shabbat Shalom שבת שלוםand Jummah Mubarak جمعة مباركة