we are not numbers

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

Mahmoud Fayad

    Mahmoud, 22, is studying for his bachelor’s degree in math from Al Aqsa University. He lost his mother, father and most of his home in the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza. He now lives with three sisters and a brother in the one room of his house still standing. Mahmoud started to write stories after the war so that he could better let the world know the truth about what had happened. He has formed an organization called Friends of Palestine to do charitable work, and has a dream of one day becoming an ambassador for Gaza and then, eventually, president of a free Palestine.   .

    my work

    I visited the local mosque and saw a man sleeping against the wall, behind a chair. I asked him why he was sleeping there, and he told me his story.