UPDATE: A group of university students from Gaza has just released a powerful anthology, capturing their harrowing experiences amid the ongoing conflict. In a Zoom call on December 28, 2023, students expressed their resilience while discussing the newly published book, filled with reflections and poems documenting their survival.
On the call, Mariam Marwan Malaka shared a chilling view of her surroundings, saying, “Yes, I’m sitting at the rubble of my home. There is no house.” Despite the devastation, displaced students gathered to celebrate the publication of their joint work, facilitated by a Canadian publisher, Daraja Press.
The anthology, born from a project initiated by Dr. Zahid Pranjol of the University of Sussex, aims to provide a voice to over 60 students who have faced unimaginable hardships. Dr. Pranjol began this education solidarity project in April 2024 after Israel’s military campaign severely impacted Gaza’s educational infrastructure, destroying universities and schools and claiming thousands of student lives.
Since October 2023, a systematic assault on educational institutions has been labeled “the obliteration of Gaza’s education.” “We were forced to pursue our education under the harshest conditions,” explained Rawan Marwan Omar Matar, another student on the call. The anthology aims to shed light on their collective suffering and resilience, capturing the essence of their struggle.
Amid the chaos, Dr. Pranjol has facilitated online education for students through WhatsApp and Zoom, connecting them with over 70 volunteer teachers and more than 1,000 students. He stated, “The idea was not only to teach English but also to provide a lifeline, to give them therapy en masse.”
As the brutal offensive continued, students began sharing their own writings with Dr. Pranjol, leading to the creation of this urgent anthology. “When these stories were being collected, these students were being actively displaced,” he noted, highlighting the immediacy and emotional weight of their words.
The anthology features raw, unfiltered accounts of survival, sorrow, and grief. Hada Mohammed Homaid, a contributor, emphasized the importance of their voices: “These words carry lived experiences… please read slowly.” Fellow student, Rawan, added, “We wrote a book filled with emotion… written by university students who turned to pen and paper when no one would listen.”
The urgency of their message is underscored by the ongoing conflict, with students risking their lives to access internet and study materials. “When internet access became available, students began studying despite the danger,” Rawan explained. Their determination to learn amidst such adversity speaks volumes about their resilience.
Translations of the anthology into French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic are underway, with a second book already in progress. The students’ collective narrative serves as a poignant reminder of their fight for survival and education in the face of overwhelming odds.
As they share their experiences through this anthology, Gaza’s students hope to reach a global audience, emphasizing that their story is one of survival and steadfastness. “This book is not merely a collection; it is a message to the world about our resilience,” said one student, encapsulating the urgent need for awareness and support.
The publication of this anthology comes at a critical time, drawing attention to the plight of Gaza’s youth and their unyielding spirit to pursue education despite the overwhelming challenges they face. As the situation continues to evolve, the world must listen to their voices and take action.
The students of Gaza are not just surviving; they are writing their stories, transforming pain into powerful narratives that resonate far beyond their borders.
