Article by Viory
In the lead up to Ramadan, two Palestinian girls have transformed the rubble of a destroyed building in Gaza City’s Al-Rimal Market into a symbol of hope. Sara Saada and Joud Al-Hayek painted a vibrant mural across the shattered concrete, offering a moment of joy to those preparing for the holy month.
Footage from Monday captures the pair at the base of a ruined building, painting a popular cartoon character associated with the festivities. Beside the mural, a young man is seen writing the phrase: ‘Ramadan is Better in Our Land.’ Positioned in the heart of the market, the artwork stands in clear view of all who pass by.
“We painted on rubble because our whole life is rubble. All of Gaza is full of rubble, so we chose to paint on something that reflects the reality we live in,” said Saada. She explained that she and her colleague chose to “paint on the rubble from an elevated spot so that people could see.”
Saada also shared her hope to welcome the month “in a beautiful atmosphere, away from rockets and destruction.”
Al-Hayek expressed a similar sense of determination despite the hardships faced by those in Gaza. “True, we have lost everything, but we are still happy and breathing, and we try to make ourselves happy with simple things. We tried to decorate the rubble and the things around us,” she noted.
When asked about the risks of working with partially collapsed buildings, Al-Hayek added: “Our whole lives are at risk… We tried to decorate and paint to give people passing through the market a sense of Ramadan. It’s not just about a dilapidated building. We want to beautify the place and bring joy for Ramadan.”
This year marks the first Ramadan since a ceasefire was announced in Gaza. For the previous two years, residents observed the holy month amidst active conflict, facing widespread destruction, displacement, and critical shortages of food and medicine.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is among the holiest times of the year for Muslims. Observed as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it is marked by fasting from dawn until sunset.
Article by Viory
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