Hope

Writing is my refuge, the place where I feel safe, away from all the chaos around me. It is my closest friend, the one that never judges me, that listens carefully to my thoughts and emotions. Through writing, I feel alive, and never alone.

My writing journey began after I struggled for seven months with heavy emotions following the martyrdom of my dear friend, Eman. I felt paralysed, unable to release my grief, until one day I opened my notebook and began to write about her – about her life, her dreams, and our friendship. I shared those words with my friends; they liked my writing style and encouraged me to publish. At first, I hesitated, but then I realised the importance of telling the stories of my people.

I have always written and documented; at first, it was mainly my diaries and daily reflections, but now I deeply feel the urgency of preserving our history and being part of it. Today, I write not only for myself but also for the past, the present, and the future. I am proud of the consciousness we have reached, to recognise that documenting what is happening to us is no longer optional; it is a necessity. During the Nakba of 1948, circumstances limited the ways in which people could share their voices and experiences. They thought it was just a phase and that they would return soon. They never imagined it would last for 77 years and still be going on. Today, through my writing, whether poetry, personal reflections, or even articles, I am able to circulate our reality more widely, making sure that our stories are seen and heard in so many different countries around the world. 

Every piece I write comes to me unplanned. I never choose its time or subject; instead, the words flow naturally, arriving exactly when they are meant to. Often, even the title reveals itself while I am writing. There is always an urgency that pushes me to write, and when I release those words into the world, I feel hope. Writing, in this way, continues to guide me forward; it makes me believe that there is always hope.