Prayer celebration for Salma’s return

An eight-year old girl is sleeping in her own bed tonight in Brantford after spending weeks stuck in Gaza. CHCH news was at Pearson International Airport when she touched down on Canadian soil. She made it out of the warzone just in time — fighting resumed this morning after a 72 hour cease-fire.

A mother and daughter reunited.

Just hours after fighting resumed between Hamas and Israel, Salma Abuzaiter is on safe ground.

Wesam Abuzaiter: “I got my baby back again. thank you.”

The eight-year old girl was in Gaza with her father, Hassam, when the war erupted. Yesterday, he brought her to the border of Jordan where she was met by Canadian diplomats. He’s an ER doctor and is staying behind to help the injured.

Abuzaiter was escorted back to Canada with 116 other Canadians. As she arrives in her hometown of Brantford, she’s greeted by a group celebrating her safe return.

What was meant to be a multi-faith vigil praying for Salma’s homecoming turned into a celebration when organizers learned she had been safely removed from Gaza.

But the evening also included a somber note — a prayer for the children who aren’t so lucky.

Abu Noman Tarek, Imam, Muslim Assoc of Brantford: “Salma is coming back but there are many, many children in Gaza. They are stuck in very horrible situation. So we are going to pray for their peace and their safety.”

Salma’s mother Wesam credits her daughter’s safe return to Canadian officials who facilitated her trip home: “I love this country, and I’m proud that I’m belonging to this country. Thank you so much.”

She feels lucky that Salma and her entire family has a safe haven to come home to.

Raza Khan, celebration organizer: “She’s one of the lucky ones. there are still hundreds of thousands of children just like Salma who are stuck in Gaza right now.”

And it is for that reason, that Salma’s supporters continue to pray.