By Younas Chaudhary

This Thanksgiving is incredibly special for me. I am grateful to be home with my family. On October 6, 2023, a day before the Hamas and Israeli war started, I boarded my flight from Tel Aviv to New York. I had narrowly escaped the war in the Middle East.

As a child, I had dreamed of seeing the Pyramids and religious historical places like Jerusalem. I took a Mediterranean cruise to make my life-long dream come true, my first cruise.

On the final day of the cruise on October 5, 2023, I had the opportunity to visit several historic and religious sites in Israel and Palestine. My guided tour started from the Israeli side and continued into the West Bank of Palestine where I visited Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. It finished in the historical sites of the Old City of Jerusalem. It was a memorable experience to walk the streets of the walled city of Jerusalem, learn its history, and witness firsthand the sites of the three Abrahamic religions (the Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque), and visit many other historical sites.

On October 6^th, the day of my scheduled departure from Tel Aviv, my flight got delayed. I debated on whether to extend my trip. Fortunately, I decided to stay put and returned home to Houston late at night on October 6, 2023.

I will never forget the morning of October 7, 2023. Waking up, I was shocked hearing about the horrible attack that had happened in Israel. The numbness that I felt that morning is still there. Ever since, I have felt more blessed, lucky, and often contemplate how fragile our lives are.

The impact of war in Israel is devastating, with innocent civilians often caught in the crossfire. Families face displacement, loss, starvation, and trauma as conflict disrupts their lives. It is crucial to advocate for peaceful solutions to alleviate the suffering of those who are innocently affected by the conflicts in the region.

My deepest and most humble prayers are with all the innocent people who are currently suffering due to this war. I hope and pray for a quick peaceful solution where all innocent civilians are rejoined with their families and loved ones.

I am truly fortunate and eternally grateful for the ongoing prayers of many who have enabled me to be at the Thanksgiving table with my family. Stay Blessed!

Disclaimer

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated. Further, I make no warranty regarding the accuracy or effectiveness of my recommendations, and readers are advised to consult other advisors as well as their own judgments in making business decisions.