UWC Dilijan Alumna Sends Letter of Support to Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend
Published with the permission of Dalia Atallah. A message of love and solidarity addressed to Veronika Zonabend and Ruben Vardanyan.
The full text is available below.
Dearest Veronika,
I write you these words to express my deep solidarity. Although these are only words, and words are not enough and cannot compete with the horrendous reality we are living in – they can at least express the emotions I hold deep within.
You, Ruben, and the kids are deep within my heart. I pray for you always – I pray that Ruben gets out as fast as possible. I know you shared how mainly Faith keeps you going. Please know that you and Ruben are sources of light. You are the embodiment of hope; you are the incarnation of that faith. No matter the circumstances, you find a way to stand up with grace anchored in your values and compassion in the face of bigotry and hatred.
I am in awe of your strength, Veronika – of the way you keep going, and of how you continue to nurture and fuel the dreams that you and Ruben have brought to life, no matter what.
Please know that your struggle, and your sacrifices are and will continue fueling the relentless pursuit of justice and the indignation of GENERATIONS to come.
I wrote this to Ruben, and I write this to you as well: you are the reason my life has changed forever, for the better. You have done so much for others; I am only one of the thousands who have been blessed to be touched by your light. And what I know for sure, what I am CERTAIN of, is that whoever embodies this kind of light can only receive it back ten-thousandfold.
The way Ruben is standing – as a beacon of light existing in the middle of harrowing darkness, unshakable and filled with strength, integrity – he is an example of what it truly means to be human. He reminds us of our own humanity and of the need to awaken it.
I love you so much and stand with you, always. If there is anything I can do, please tell me. I pray that this year brings liberation, health, rest, and abundance to Ruben, to you, and to your entire family.
With all my love,
Dalia Atallah, Lebanon, UWCD’18
