How narratives contribute to genocide.
For decades there has been a war on Muslims. For decades we have been bombarded with images of what terrorists look like. It is been enacted through media, literature and films. I have written for a decade on the importance of authentic Muslim representation and how it directly impacts lives.
The story of Khaled Nabhan pictured above shows us how wrong that image is.
We are seeing this in the most catastrophic ways now with the current genocide in Gaza.
Khaled Nabhan, who lost his three-year-old granddaughter in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, cherishes her memory on his collar, where he fastens all he has left of young Reem: her earring.
Images of Nabhan made headlines as he embraced the lifeless body of his granddaughter, bidding farewell as he kissed her eyes and stroked her hair and face, calling her the “soul of my soul.”
Recounting how his heart ached over Reem’s passing, Nabhan told Anadolu that he was unaware he was being filmed in that moment.
“We woke up to the rubble falling on us because of Israel’s bombing of our house in Nuseirat Refugee Camp,” Nebhan said, adding that they were trapped under the rubble. While his son and daughter were injured, Reem and her 5-year-old brother Tariq had been killed.
Nabhan said he could not let go of the memories he had with Reem, whom he would call affectionately, “my dear, my heart, my two eyes,” and who was a constant source of joy for him while she was alive.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/my-heart-my-two-eyes-palestinian-man-keeps-granddaughters-earring-to-mourn-loss-in-israeli-strike/3069470
The slow but purposeful desensitizing of the world against Muslims has led to this.
Let’s actively choose what narratives we read, what our children watch, be mindful of who is writing, producing or creating them. Let’s actively share these narratives and support them in multiple ways so they start to influence the mainstream. If we start now, then we might see a future where all lives have the same value, regardless of where they are born.
We have to make a stand to change the narrative.
Those in Gaza, like Nabhan and thousands more, through their steadfastness are showing the world their faith and the true meaning of Islam. Let’s join together to build off this.
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