#CenterThePeople
#CenterThePeople is not merely a slogan; it is a call to refocus, to ground our advocacy, mobilization, and resistance in the lived realities of those on the frontlines. This campaign extends far beyond words—it influences every action we take, from flooding the streets in protest to how we mobilize politically, including voting this November, to dismantling and disrupting the systems complicit in the colonization of our beloved Palestine. We reject narratives that marginalize the leadership of those most impacted by Zionist oppression and instead insist that their voices, struggles, and sacrifices are the compass for our liberation movement.
The martyrs, prisoners, and resistance fighters of Palestine are not just symbols of our struggle; they are the leaders who have paid the ultimate price, and their sacrifices must guide our movement. This campaign centers our faith and our conviction that Allah guides us on this path. We stand firm in our belief that liberation is near—that by following the righteous struggle of our people in Palestine and by grounding our actions in the faith that our cause is just, we will see Palestine free.
Ahmad Manasra was arrested in 2015 at 13 years old, spending the majority of his childhood behind bars. At the time of the alleged incident, which saw his 15-year-old cousin shot dead by settlers, Ahmad was severely beaten by a mob of settlers and run over by a car, which led to internal bleeding and fractures to his skull. Videos of the incident showed Ahmad bleeding on the ground while settlers yelled at him to die, amongst various other slurs. We later saw Ahmad brutally interrogated by occupation forces with a bandaged head, banging his face repeatedly and screaming that he didn’t know the answers to his questions.
Ahmad was questioned without family or legal representation present. Much like other illegal detentions, the Zionist forces hold evidence of crimes “private” and extend sentences arbitrarily. Campaigns calling for Ahmad’s release continue to circulate, and yet, to this day, he remains under illegal detention. Proof of Ahmad’s innocence has been proven many times, yet the occupation continues to extend his detention. Ahmad’s mental health continues to deteriorate as he is subjected to extended periods of solitary confinement, lacks access to medical and psychological services, and is cruelly denied access to his loved ones. Today, Ahmad is 22 years old, having spent almost the last 10 years in Zionist jails.
#FreeAhmadManasra
Renad Atallah, a 10-year-old from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, embodies resilience amidst the horrors of genocide. Despite the devastation around her, Renad channels her love for cooking to bring joy and hope to her community. Using ingredients from aid boxes, she creates traditional Palestinian dishes and shares her recipes through uplifting cooking videos. Her passion has not only united those around her but also helped her grow a loyal social media following. Through her platform, Renad continues to raise her voice about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, spreading both awareness and positivity.
Ali Al Turk, a Palestinian volunteer in Gaza, learned to stitch wounds to help those injured during the genocide. Ali’s steadfastness and commitment to Gaza embodies the resistance of Palestinians in Gaza and their response to the violent and intentional targeting of their medical system and infrastructure. Ali decided he is “not going to stay home to wait for his turn to die.” With a background in first aid care, Ali learned to suture wounds from other doctors in Gaza. Ali admits that the devastation of the genocide forced him to work on patients in the hallways of the hospital as Al-Shifa and Al-Nasser faced devastating raids and blockades that have contributed to the collapse of the medical system in Gaza.
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah is a British Palestinian and field leading Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and world renowned Professor. Dr. Abu-Sittah returned to Gaza in October 2023 to support victims at Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Ahli hospital. Dr. Abu Sittah consistently exposes the effects the occupation’s intentional medical infrastructure bombardment has on Gaza. His advocacy for Palestine has barred him from entering Germany and France as Western powers continue to try and silence Palestinians. His work spans through sharing his own witness and testimony to The Hague in the Netherlands to aid in bringing war crime charges against the occupation. Like many diaspora Palestinians, he is not allowed entry back into Gaza.
“If I go, who treats my patients? We are not animals. We have the right to receive proper health care. So we can’t just leave.” This was the response that Dr. Hammam Alloh gave to journalist Amy Goodman in November 2023 when asked why he chose to stay at the besieged Al-Shifa hospital. Eleven days later, Dr. Alloh was killed by an “Israeli” airstrike, along with three of his family members, when he went to check on his family between shifts in the critical care ward. A brilliant nephrologist, Dr. Alloh had dreamed of building a speciality nephrology program before the genocide. According to his friend, Dr. Ben Thomson, Dr. Alloh had insisted on speaking with the press as much as possible in order for the world to bear witness: “This is my resistance,” he said in an interview, “if the world knew what was happening in Gaza, they would make it stop.” Dr. Thomson recalls that, between interviews, Dr. Alloh would sweep up glass that had been shattered by “‘Israeli”’ bombs and check on patients he had been treating day and night. His refusal to leave his patients’ sides came from his deeply principled approach to medicine and his determination to resist against the horrors of genocide in Gaza, which he accounts in an article titled “Like Other People.”
In honor of Dr. Alloh, Islamic Relief Canada set up a scholarship for Palestinian Doctors to partake in a medical fellowship at a Canadian university.
Working incredibly long hours with little sleep, little access to supplies, and living under the strangulation of occupation is Dr. Mohammed Harara’s every day routine. Dr. Harara has displayed incredible steadfastness fleeing from hospital to hospital in an effort to help save patient’s lives. Dr. Harara has also shared his own experience with disease during this genocide due to the occupation’s blockade on water, electricity, and basic living supplies. Like many of his patients, he has watched his family, friends, and colleagues martyred. At one point he was one of five doctors at Al-Nasser hospital with 850 patients. Dr. Harara has also experienced the complexities of aiding arriving and discharged patients under active sniper bombardment surrounding the hospitals he has worked at. His steadfastness continues through each and every patient he cares for and his dedication to his people serves as resistance against an evil settler colony.
Leanne Mohamad is a 24-year-old British Palestinian activist, human rights campaigner, and community organizer based in London, UK. During the 2024 U.K. General Election, she ran as an independent MP for Ilford North, with a platform focused on Palestine and the genocide in Gaza, as well as domestic issues like healthcare and public service access. Leanne mobilized strong local support, coming incredibly close to winning with a narrow loss of 528 votes against Labour MP Wes Streeting. She continues to speak at national marches for Palestine and is a co-founder of Tatreez Sisters, a clothing and fashion brand dedicated to preserving Palestinian culture and identity and supporting communities in need.
Since October 7th, 2023, Anas Al-Sharif has been reporting on the front lines of “Israel’s” genocidal assault on Gaza – now the deadliest place for journalists in modern history. By some counts, over 160 journalists have been killed by “Israel” in Gaza since the beginning of the genocide. Recently, while reporting live to Al Jazeera about the families of the 73 Palestinians killed in an “Israeli” attack on Beit Lahia, Al-Sharif discovered that over 22 members of his family were martryed in the bombings. Al-Sharif has personally received threats against his life, and his home was targeted by an “Israeli” attack, killing his father. Despite these challenges, Al-Sharif remains one of the few journalists documenting the genocide in northern Gaza—an area where the "Israeli" government ordered 1.1 million people to evacuate and which has endured the heaviest bombardment for over a year. His reporting has played a crucial role in raising global awareness of the genocide in Gaza. His description of what it means to be a Palestinian journalist in Gaza should be read by everyone.
Socials: Instagram: @anasjamal44
Twitter: @AnasAlSharif0
Mariam Barghouti is a Palestinian-American journalist who currently resides in Ramallah, West Bank, where she has been documenting the “Israeli” force’s brutal raids on towns and villages across the occupied territory. Her reporting has become essential to challenging the mainstream media’s response to the genocide, which has been mired with disinformation, bias, and the erasure of Palestinian voices. She is an advocate for Palestinian journalism, arguing that it is a form of resistance against the “Israeli” occupation. In an instagram post, Barghouti reminds us that “In Palestine, being [the] press means being a target. The gear which is meant to protect us has become a marker to attack us,” but “we keep wearing this gear as an act of defiance to maintain a right for the press, and [the] flow of information.” By providing firsthand accounts and amplifying the experiences of those directly affected, Barghouti's journalism plays a vital role in holding power to account and mobilizing global solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation.
Socials: Instagram: @mariambarghouti
Twitter: @MariamBarghouti
Momen Faiz, a 36-year-old photojournalist from Gaza, has endured immense challenges and personal losses while documenting the Israeli occupation and ongoing genocide in his homeland. In 2008, Momen lost both legs in an Israeli attack, yet he continues his work in one of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, capturing images of devastation from his wheelchair. His powerful photographs reach global audiences through social media, news outlets, and exhibitions.
Despite direct threats from the Israeli army, Momen remains in northern Gaza, refusing to leave his home and standing firm against forced expansion. His commitment to documenting the suffering around him, even under life-threatening conditions, is an inspiration. Supported by his wife, Dima, Momen’s lifelong passion for photography has survived his injury, and together they are raising four children while facing the daily horrors of genocide.
Momen’s resilience and courage make him a symbol of the Palestinian struggle. Risking his life to reveal the brutal impact of occupation, he uses photography as both a form of resistance and a means to tell his people’s story, embodying the sacrifices and steadfast dedication to their cause.