Omar Rajab Mohammad Toum is a 125-aged Palestinian, who has lived considerable part of his life. To one of the Arab news network, he told about the changing in life, recalling the peaceful native land memories. From year 1888, he was born to his present age he has witnessed the Ottoman Empire, the British rule and consequently the grievances that followed after Israel occupied Palestine.
The man from Gaza stated that life during Ottoman rule was peaceful. He would move to nearby Muslim countries, Libya, Syria, Turkey, Jordan with out need of any identification check ups.
During the British rule, as a soldier he would carry the gun and shot the enemies from the bridges. It was the British rule that the revolutions in Palestine emerged, the old man said. Recalling his golden memories, Omar said that life under Ottoman period was peaceful when things were easy and free.
About his marital life he said that he married only once. His wife was an amazing woman and hence did not enter into second knot like other men of his generation. He has now 300 grandchildren and it is difficult for him to memorize their names.
Reason for the old man’s survival could be his good diet which includes olive oil and taking rabbit meat for lunch. He often consumes ‘ghee’ for the food.
‘Protect your land, the way you protect your wife and children, and work in agriculture as this will encourage you to preserve your land and defeat it’. This was the message Omar gave way to the Palestinians and his grandchildren who reside in Jabalia, north town of Gaza, his hometown.