My name is Siwar Abdullah Al-Araj, I live in Jerusalem - the Old City near Al-Aqsa Mosque. I was born, here in Jerusalem, in 1997, and graduated from Al-Quds University Abu Dis.

What matters to me, is conveying our voice in Palestine to the world. I sell paintings made with feelings. So the world can see my home. So the world will hear the children of Gaza, asking for war to stop, and their childhood to return. So the world will see through the darkness of war, see that this is a beautiful land, a land protected by God. So the world will see, even if we leave, we have already planted the fruit of Palestine, and the youth of Palestine are of many, many colors. So the world will see the children, the women, the men, the elderly returning . So the world will see, we are as steadfast as the olive trees, and the land itself. So the world will see, everything Arabic is so very beautiful, in many, many colors, smells and textures, of air, water and earth. So the world will see, our resolve is not exhausted, for the sun of freedom shines bright in Palestine. So the world will see, we can not wipe away the tears until the tears can stop flowing. I am a strong Palestinian Woman, who is proud of her land, her hijab, her language, and her heritage, and I am sad for them at the same time. I am crying, even as I paint.

If you have the strength and means, please help me raise the voice of Palestine by sharing my art with the world. I am painting day and night here in Jerusalem but I need your support to help with the cost of shipping these paintings to the U.S. I hope the American people can see and feel the Palestine we Palestinians know and live day by day. I hope I can count on you to raise the voice of Palestine to the world. Funds raised will defray the costs of shipping and producing these special paintings to keep the art affordable to the whole community. When my art arrives in the US, it will first be displayed at Great Falls Market Common Room, in Great (Turners) Falls Massachusetts, and will be available for sale. My US supporting partners in the US include Laila Hassan from Hebron who can be reached on WhatsApp +972 53-4462five80, and Rich Karsten of Leverett MA 413-695-29six4. Thank you for your help my friends. We are all the children of Gaza, the mothers, brothers, sisters and fathers of the children of Gaza, and together we serve God.

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Raising The Voices of Palestine

By Mohawk Grill

Raising The Voices of Palestine

Uplifting: Siwar, a Palestinian painter