Latest news with #Maram
Al Jazeera
23-07-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
‘Flour, fire and fear as I try to parent in a starving Gaza'
Deir el-Balah, Gaza – 'There is no voice louder than hunger,' the Arabic proverb goes. Now it has become a painful truth surrounding us, drawing closer with each passing day. I never imagined that hunger could be more terrifying than the bombs and killing. This weapon caught us off-guard, something we never thought would be more brutal than anything else we've faced in this endless war. It's been four months without a single full meal for my family, nothing that meets even the basic needs on Maslow's hierarchy. My days revolve around hunger. One sister calls to ask about flour, and the other sends a message saying all they have is lentils. My brother returns empty-handed from his long search for food for his two kids. We woke up one day to the sound of our neighbour screaming in frustration. 'I'm going mad. What's happening? I have money, but there's nothing to buy,' she said when I came out to calm her down. My phone doesn't stop ringing. The calls are from crying women I met during fieldwork in displacement camps: 'Ms Maram? Can you help with anything? A kilo of flour or something? … We haven't eaten in days.' This sentence echoes in my ears: 'We haven't eaten in days.' It is no longer shocking. Famine is marching forwards in broad daylight, shamelessly in a world so proud of its 'humanity'. A second birthday amid scarcity Iyas has woken up asking for a cup of milk today, his birthday. He has turned two in the middle of a war. I wrote him a piece on his birthday last year, but now I look back and think: 'At least there was food!' A simple request from a child for some milk spins me into a whirlwind. I'd already held a quiet funeral inside me weeks ago for the last of the milk, then rice, sugar, bulgur, beans – the list goes on. Only four bags of pasta, five of lentils and 10 precious kilos (22lb) of flour remain – enough for two weeks if I ration tightly, and even that makes me luckier than most in Gaza. Flour means bread – white gold people are dying for every single day. Every cup I add to the dough feels heavy. I whisper to myself: 'Just two cups'. Then I add a little more, then a bit more, hoping to somehow stretch these little bits into enough bread to last the day. But I know I'm fooling myself. My mind knows this won't be enough to quell hunger; it keeps warning me how little flour we have left. I don't know what I'm writing any more. But this is just what I'm living, what I wake up and fall asleep to. What horrors remain? I now think back on the morning bread-making routine I used to resent. As a working mother, I once hated that long process imposed by war, which made me miss being able to buy bread from the bakery. But now, that routine is sacred. Thousands of people across Gaza wish they could knead bread without end. I am one of them. Now I handle flour with reverence, knead gently, cut the loaves carefully, roll them out and send them off to bake in the public clay oven with my husband, who lovingly balances the tray on his head. A full hour under the sun at the oven just to get a warm loaf of bread, and we're among the 'lucky' ones. We are kings, the wealthy. These 'miserable' daily routines have become unattainable dreams for hundreds of thousands in Gaza. Everyone is starving. Is it possible that this war still has more horrors in store? We complained about displacement. Then our homes were bombed. We never returned. We complained about the burdens of cooking over a fire, making bread, handwashing clothes and hauling water. Now those 'burdens' feel like luxuries. There's no water. No soap. No supplies. Iyas's latest challenge Two weeks ago, while being consumed by thoughts of how to stretch out the last handfuls of flour, another challenge appeared: potty training Iyas. We ran out of diapers. My husband searched everywhere, returning empty-handed. 'No diapers, no baby formula, nothing at all.' Just like that. My God, how strange and harsh this child's early years have been. War has imposed so many changes that we could not protect him from. His first year was an endless hunt for baby formula, clean water and diapers. Then came famine, and he grew up without eggs, fresh milk, vegetables, fruit or any of the basic nutrients a toddler needs. I fought on, sacrificing what little health I had to continue breastfeeding until now. It was difficult, especially while undernourished myself and trying to keep working, but what else could I do? The thought of raising a child with no nutrients at this critical stage is unbearable. And so my little hero woke up one morning to the challenge of ditching diapers. I pitied him, staring in fear at the toilet seat, which looked to him like a deep tunnel or cave he might fall into. It took us two whole days to find a child's seat for the toilet. Every day was filled with training accidents, signs he wasn't ready. The hours I spent sitting by the toilet, encouraging him, were exhausting and frustrating. Potty training is a natural phase that should come when the child is ready. Why am I and so many other mothers here forced to go through it like this, under mental strain, with a child who I haven't had a chance to prepare? So I fall asleep thinking about how much food we have left and wake up to rush my child to the toilet. Rage and anxiety build up as I try to manage our precious water supply as soiled clothes pile up from the daily accidents. Then came the expulsion orders in Deir el-Balah. A fresh slap. The danger is growing as Israeli tanks creep closer. And here I am: hungry, out of diapers, raising my voice at a child who can't understand while the shelling booms around us. Why must we live like this, spirits disintegrating every day as we wait for the next disaster? Many have resorted to begging. Some have chosen death for a piece of bread or a handful of flour. Others stay home, waiting for the tanks to arrive. Many, like me, are simply waiting their turn to join the ranks of the starving without knowing what the end will look like. They used to say time in Gaza is made of blood. But now, it's blood, tears and hunger.
CairoScene
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
The Scene Styled Rock ‘n' Roll Edit
Leather jackets, ripped denim, and chains for days, this is your guide to in-your-face grunge glamour… What does it mean to look like rock 'n' roll? It's not about following trends but about defying them – it's rebellion, attitude, and grit woven into every stitch. This week's SceneStyled Rock 'n' Roll Edit pulls together the key elements to channel that raw, defiant energy. Leather jackets with tough, lived-in appeal, ripped jeans that look like they've survived a few mosh pits, and studded accessories that clash with the polished as if to say, 'rules were meant to be broken.' It's a wardrobe for the bold, for those who know that music and style are two sides of the same revolution. Ready to rock? Keep scrolling. Maram | The Aqua Harmony Slit T-Shirt Maram's Cycle 11 collection did not shy away from excess, and the Aqua Harmony t-shirt is no exception. A psychedelic dream, this piece will turn heads amongst even the 'rockest' of concerts. Rasha Pasha | The Royal Rock Collection 'It's like if Tina Turner married Khedive Ismail,' Rasha Pasha tells SceneStyled. Bringing the best of both worlds together, the Egyptian designer's Royal Rock collection does not shy away from making a statement on Cairo's streets. Nabi | Meraki Belt 'Nabi is for a modern hot girl, who is anything but basic,' designer Hana Gad tells SceneStyled. Merging western-style cowboy belts with a touch of Egyptian influence, Egyptian label Nabi's Meraki Belt is grunge…but heritage-driven. FTL | Oracle Pants High-profile client meeting at 5 and a pre-game at 5:49? Egyptian label FTL's Oracle Pants know what you're up to…and they're all for it. Arc Pulse | Minimalist Bumper Case Actually giving a damn about your phone screen cracking is so 2017 - the real 'baddhies' know that it's all about fashion over function. Dior | Vernis Nail Polish For a decked-out Rock n Roll fit, you simply cannot go without some statement red nail polish. Kuckian | Deleterious Causing a ruckus? Starting a fire? Oh how very deleterious of you. Kuckian's signature black lipstick is not for the demure, but that's not you. Huda Beauty | Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette Nothing says grunge quite like some glittering purple eyeliner - and Huda Beauty has the fix. Vivienne Westwood | Side Panther Skirt In an alternate universe in which the UK had a Princess of Wales who didn't want the crown, we'd be willing to bet the Paps would catch her in this. Alexander McQueen | Double Breasted Waist Coat Business in the front, party in the back, Alexander McQueen's double breasted waist coat is all about contrast; blacks and reds; rock n roll. New Rock | Ankle Boot Black Imperfect The streets are your stage, and this is how you stomp them. New Rock's 'imperfect' - though wholly perfect - ankle boots will have you walking sky high, making sure everyone can see you. Andertons | Rock N Roll Relics Lightning Custom Medium Aged in Cadillac Green Sparkle Can't be a rock edit without something to actually rock out with. In glittering emerald, this vintage electric guitar will be making all sorts of noise. Vera Wang | Rock Princess Eau de Toilette While the bottle does look quite intimidating; its notes are as sweet as can be, with peach, jasmine, and vanilla. Be Indie | The Jacquard Set Canadian tuxedo, but just a little edgy. Versatile and comfortable, this set from Be Indie effortlessly swings from daytime to after-hours. Rigash | The Brown Leather Set Now, we couldn't do this without some leather, could we? For their FW25 collection, Egyptian label Rigash went all out with leather, and we're obsessed with this set in particular. Viva Vox | Viva Vox Skirt Florals for a Rock 'n' Roll edit?! We know what you're thinking, but hear us out. Paired with a leather jacket, spiked boots, and black lips, this will be a 'lewk' you won't be allowed to forget. Emergency Room Beirut | Golden (R)age Collection For their latest collection, Lebanese collective and design house Emergency Room Beirut triggered all the sirens. Reminiscent of wild '70s vegas nights, this collection is for those not afraid of standing out. Vivienne Westwood | New Diamante Heart Pendant Necklace A signature of the eponymous English fashion house, the heart pendant is a rebellious Vivienne Westwood classic for a reason, and it would border on blasphemy not to include it. Hadia Ghaleb | Nebula Sunglasses in Black A little out of this world, Dubai-based Egyptian entrepreneur Hadia Ghaleb's sunglasses collection, which debuted in 2024, is all about non-conformist silhouettes. Hérmes | Limited Edition Birkin Rock 25 Black Volupto Palladium Hardware Sure it might be USD 75,000, but it's pretty to just look at. Amongst the hottest Birkin bags you could come across, the Limited Edition Rock 25 earns its spot on this edit for obvious reasons. Christian Louboutin | Paloma Spiked Leather Clutch Can't truly be Rock 'n' Roll without a few (or a lot) of spikes on your person. Christian Louboutin? Understood the assignment. Azalea Wang | Sedna Buckle Knee Boots in Black A 'belts' and whistles kinda gal? Azalea Wang's Sedna Buckle Knee Boots let everyone know you're armed and ready; lest they, how do we put this, 'try a b****'.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mosab Abu Toha dines with Martin Scorsese
Listen to article In a post shared to Instagram on Monday, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha posed with American filmmaker Martin Scorsese at Mosab's celebratory dinner party in honour of his Pulitzer Prize. "What you see is a rare smile," the poet wrote in the caption. "Before I headed for my MSNBC interview yesterday, Maram, my wife, and I had an incredible dinner with some of my greatest friends in this world. But guess who made sure to join us to honour me and celebrate the Pulitzer Prize, even in the smallest way as our families in Gaza starve and continue to be in danger? Well, there is only one Martin Scorsese." He made sure to express gratitude for all his invited guests. "The four of them - Maram, Mary, Judith, and Martin - gave me the energy I needed to do everything, including the interview. Mary fed me well. Martin made us laugh. Thank you, Mary and Judith, for your immense love. And happy Mother's Day." Mosab won the acclaimed award earlier in May for his collection of essays in The New Yorker documenting the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where he has lived for most of his life. Announcing the win on X, he wrote, "I have just won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Let it bring hope. Let it be a tale." The Pulitzer board noted that the essays depicted the "physical and emotional carnage in Gaza that combine deep reporting with the intimacy of memoir to convey the Palestinian experience of more than a year and a half of war with Israel." Speaking of the accolade during his interview with MSNBC, the poet said, "I feel so heartbroken, but at the same time, I feel honoured for having won this award. My friends and family in Gaza are very proud." Mosab admitted that he doesn't quite know how he feels given the current state of his homeland. "Everyday, we are losing someone. Everyday, we are learning about a new tragedy that is unfolding, not only for my family but our friends and citizens in Gaza." One of the essays chronicled that the 32-year-old poet was detained at a checkpoint by Israeli forces in 2023 while trying to flee his home in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza with his Maram and their three young children. He added that the soldiers "separated me from my family, beat me, and interrogated me." However, Mosab was able to leave for the US after his friends from abroad intervened and applied pressure for his release. Still, in his essays, he looks back on an easier time. "I yearn to return to Gaza, sit at the kitchen table with my mother and father, and make tea for my sisters. I do not need to eat. I only want to look at them again."
Middle East Eye
18-03-2025
- General
- Middle East Eye
Gaza awakes to a 'bloody suhoor' as Israel stages Ramadan massacre
In the early hours of Tuesday, Palestinians in Gaza awoke expecting their morning would be like any other this Ramadan. Families, friends and neighbours gathered to prepare suhoor, the pre-dawn meal to prepare for a day of fasting. The Israeli military, however, had planned to use this moment of communal ritual to stage a ferocious attack on the Palestinian enclave and tear the fragile 58-day ceasefire to shreds. Soon after 2am, a series of Israeli air strikes targeted dozens of residential buildings and schools sheltering displaced people across Gaza. One of the first targets was al-Tabaeen School, which housed hundreds of displaced Palestinians in Daraj, a neighbourhood in the heart of Gaza City. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters At least 25 Palestinians were killed by the bombardment, including women and children sheltering in the school, which had already been targeted three times since the beginning of the war. Soon after the strike, Muhammed al-Shawish stood inside among a crowd of survivors and local residents that had come to help. He had just received the news that his sister and her children were killed in the attack. 'My sister's husband was killed at the start of the war. Today, they bombed the Tabaeen School where she and her children had taken refuge,' Shawish told Middle East Eye. 'They bombed a classroom next to the one where my sister stayed. She was killed along with her children. Only a boy and a girl survived. Among those killed was a baby whose father never got to see him.' A previous attack on the school in August was also carried out at dawn, and killed at least 100 displaced Palestinians. Palestinians break their fast by eating Iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan, near the rubble of buildings, in the northern Gaza Strip 15 March (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa) In Shujaiya, a neighbourhood in Gaza City's east, at least five Palestinians were killed and 10 others wounded by strikes on two homes belonging to the Qreiqe family. In front of the destroyed home, a relative spoke on the phone, desperately pleading for an ambulance to retrieve her cousin's body. 'They are telling me to bring her to the hospital myself,' he told Middle East Eye as he hung up. His cousin Maram had survived the attack on the al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in October 2023, but had now been killed in her own home during the ceasefire. 'Her body has been here for over two hours now. We've been calling ambulances since then, but no ambulances are available,' he said. Israel has repeatedly targeted ambulances, paramedics and search-and-rescue teams throughout the war, leaving emergency response efforts threadbare. The family searched for a taxi to transport Maram's body instead, but none were available. Since 2 March, Israel has imposed a severe blockade on Gaza, banning the entry of aid, food, medicine, as well as fuel and cooking gas supplies. That means fuel for cars is a rarity, bringing transport services to a grinding halt. 'We couldn't find any taxis or cars due to the fuel [shortage] and the blockade. I'll have to carry the body myself and take it to the hospital [for burial], because we can't wait any longer,' Maram's cousin said. Bodies await burial Scores of bodies have arrived at Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital. The majority have been identified and have been laid on the floor awaiting burial. While the exact number of casualties remains unknown, with dozens still missing or trapped under rubble, Gaza's health ministry has confirmed that at least 420 Palestinians have been killed and 562 others wounded in the ongoing bombardment. 'We only want a ceasefire. We call on everyone concerned for a ceasefire, we don't want anything else' - Sood Abdulsalam Ahmed al-Sahwish In the hospital yard, Sood Abdulsalam Ahmed al-Sahwish stood gazing at the bodies covered in white and blue plastic shrouds. 'I don't have any [relatives] among these victims yet. But my son was killed in the beginning of the war, and my nephews were killed in Nuseirat. All of them,' he told MEE. 'We only want a ceasefire. We call on everyone concerned for a ceasefire, we don't want anything else.' Following the initial strikes, the Israeli military issued mass expulsion orders to residents in areas across the Gaza Strip, including Beit Hanoun, Khuzaa and Abasan. As hundreds of families fled the designated areas, Palestinians elsewhere began packing as well, anticipating further orders. For the first time in nearly two months, the main streets of Gaza City were near empty. Just a few people here or there could be seen stocking up on food to prepare for the worst. The scenes surrounding Gaza's few remaining hospitals were starkly different, however. The streets were packed with panicked people and rushing ambulances. A Palestinian man sits next to the body of his slain relative, in Gaza City, 18 March (MEE/Mohammed al-Hajjar) Em Firas Salama, a resident of the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in northern Gaza City, rushed to a popular market shortly after sunrise, hoping to secure food before supplies ran out. Carrying a plastic bag containing two bottles of cooking oil, rice and sugar, the mother of five said she could barely afford the essentials. 'The market is almost empty. I couldn't find even the most basic groceries. And when I did, the prices were unbearably high, we can't afford them,' she told MEE. Salama said she usually wakes up about an hour before her husband and children to prepare their suhoor. 'But this time, we all woke up to the sounds of massive bombing in every direction. We didn't know what was happening, as the situation had seemed fine when we went to sleep. Later, we learned that the Israeli occupation had announced the resumption of the war,' she said. 'Honestly, we had no desire in eating anything at this bloody suhoor after hearing the news that hundreds of people had been killed. It's a state of war again.'
