Page 222 - Carrollton 2003

Stolen Lives

On Dec. 11. Malika Oufkir, author of Stolen Lives, spoke to
the High School students about her life, her book and her
hopes for the future. Seniors in Women’s and World
Literature classes read Stolen Lives as part of their course
requirement. Although the initial focus was for the Seniors, it
soon became apparent that this day should be experienced
by the entire High School community. Students in grades 9-
12 were prepared to hear about Ms. Oufkir’s days in advance
•lit* via their religion and english classes.
"Tolerance is my daily struggle; generosity is the gift that I
try to spread around me. But / cannot hide from you the
fear that invades me when I see our world violently tossed
about by currents o f hatred and intolerance . . . only in the
solidarity o f all people, in the respect o f their differences
and in the will to respect their dignity, will we be able to
form a human chain that is striving fo r universal peace and
justice. ”
— Malika Oufkir
To hear these words spoken by a woman who experienced
harrowing years as a political prisoner in the jails of
Morocco and who exemplifies and embodies the most
valuable lessons life has to teach, was for many an
unforgettable event. Lessons of tolerance and forgiveness,
our own individual and collective responsibility to alleviate
human suffering in local and global communities, and the
connection to our Sacred Heart Goals chimed in the hearts
of everyone present.