Abu Toha’s life in Gaza was marked by constant conflict and violence, but he found solace and inspiration in the simple joys of everyday life. His writing reflects the beauty and resilience of the Palestinian people, even in the face of unimaginable hardship. Through his poetry and prose, he bears witness to the struggles and tragedies of his homeland, sharing the stories of those who have been lost and those who continue to fight for a better future.
As he travels the world sharing his work, Abu Toha remains committed to telling the truth about Gaza and the Palestinian experience. His words are a powerful reminder of the humanity and strength of those who have been marginalized and oppressed. In a world that often overlooks their struggles, Abu Toha’s voice shines brightly, bringing attention to the stories that deserve to be heard.
His journey from Gaza to the international stage is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he has faced, Abu Toha continues to speak out, using his words to shine a light on the injustices and hardships faced by his people. In his poetry and prose, he captures the essence of life in Gaza, the pain and the beauty, the sorrow and the hope.
As he continues his book tour and shares his stories with audiences around the world, Abu Toha remains a beacon of hope and inspiration. His words remind us of the power of storytelling, of bearing witness to the struggles of others, and of never giving up in the face of adversity. Through his writing, he shows us the strength and resilience of the human spirit, even in the darkest of times.
And he doesn’t have that. He’s always worried about the next bombing, the next loss. So we decided to leave, for the sake of our children.” But even now, as they live in the US, the news from Gaza continues to haunt them. The loss, the pain, the collective grief of a people under siege – it all remains with them, no matter how far they are from home. And Abu Toha continues to write, to bear witness to the stories that the news fails to capture, to ensure that the voices of the oppressed are not silenced. He says he copes by writing, by trying to make sense of the senseless. “I write to remember, to resist forgetting,” he says. “I write to honor the memories of those we have lost, to give voice to their stories.” And he continues to write, to bear witness, to share the truth of what is happening in Gaza with the world. Because, as he says, “Poetry is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is a lifeline in the midst of chaos and despair.” “Quizás dio a luz hoy? No sé si tenía acceso a ambulancias o hospitales, etc. Pero yo, como ser humano, siento que estoy huyendo. Solo estoy corriendo, corriendo. Leyendo, traduciendo, publicando, dando lecturas y hablando con gente y dando entrevistas. No puedo parar, porque si paro, caería.”
“Forest of Noise es publicado por Fourth Estate (£10.99). Para apoyar al Guardian y Observer, compra tu copia en bookshop.theguardian.com. Pueden aplicar cargos por envío.”