we are not numbers

emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights

Haneen Abed Elnaby

    Haneen is studying English literature at the Islamic University of Gaza. One of her main loves is to read books, and her favorite is the novel, "A Beautiful Lie" by Irfan Master. Music and languages also are passions. She attributes the latter to her father, who lived in Germany for 13 years. Thus, Haneen speaks a bit of  German as well as Turkish and English. Her English skills were helped significantly when she was accepted into Amideast's Acess program in 2012, and she later volunteered for the organization.

    Other volunteer work has inluded an awareness campaign to educate women on the need to protect themselves from breast cancer with early examinations.

    my work

    We rebuilt our shattered home, but I knew I would never feel safe there again.
    I once could experience Ramallah only vicariously, yet now, I was actually walking its streets. 
    I have learned I have to fight for my rights.
    Representing Palestine to the U.S. Congress was a dream come true.
    Cancer visited our home and the world changed.
    A Gaza teenager speaks to Congress? It's not a dream.
    The worst Israeli attack is when you see them face to face.
    My depression felt like I was carrying a heavy weight on an uphill climb that would never end.
    He ran to the front to save another, and lost his own life instead.