Janine and I
Between us is the heritage of the past with its glories and bitterness.
Geographically we are separated by a capricious sea, that its waves are choppy. She is on its north side and I am on its south side.
Historically, we are separated by a sea of blood and tears. She is the descendant of Charlemagne, Charles Martel, Philippe II, Napoleon, Kleber, Peugeot, all the generals of France. I am the descendant of Yogurta, Haroun al-Rashid, Tariq ibn Ziyad, Salaheddine Ayoubi, Suleiman Al-Halabi, Emir Abdul Qadir, El-Mokrani and all the Mujahedeen.
She is a Catholic Christian belonging to the Western Christian civilization and I am a Sunni Muslim belonging to the Arab-Muslim civilization.
She is the daughter of Besancon in the midst of forests and winding mountains that crisscross the peaks, the feet and the valleys. I am the son of Boussaâda the Oasis of the flat desert as far as the eye can see.
She is from a land of clouds and rain. I come from the country of the bright sun all year round.
She is a white blonde-haired woman with green eyes. I am a brown haired man with black eyes.
She carries the chisel of Greek statuaries and the brush of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Renoir. Muse the goddess of inspiration at Mount Olympus inspires her. I hold the pen of Imru Al Qays, Al-Mutanabi, Al-Qayrawânî and Muhammad Al-Aid Al-Khalifa, and the geniuses of Abqar Valley poetry "Wadi Abqar" inspired me.
Can we turn the page on the past and open a new page for the future?
We joined in the love of art that makes beauty.
We are both teachers involved in promoting the values of truth, goodness and beauty and we are helping to spread science and knowledge.
We are both young lovers who want to build the future.
We are both aware of the difference of the other, respect his faith and customs, and believe in full equality between people.
Above that, the love that brings us together does not care about the differences of races, religions, cultures and languages. The love that brings us back to our original nature: two people stripped of everything except their humanity and the natural attraction of the other, whatever the differences established by humans.
Can we build the future together?
Abdellah Khammar
The first trimester: Innocent or guilty 1
An extract taken from the novel: Entry bell to class