On Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Dr. Shada Shahin from the Department of English hosted a deeply moving virtual conversation with the young Gazan writer Aya Abu Nasser as part of the Palestinian Literature course.
Aya spoke about her newly published memoir, Fī Ghazza Najā Man Māta wa Māta Man Najā (“In Gaza, Those Who Died Survived and Those Who Survived Died,” 2025), a reflection on two years of war and the devastating loss she endured. Her book recounts the night an Israeli airstrike destroyed the five-story home where her extended family had sought refuge, killing 150 of the 200 people inside, including five of her siblings and their families.
Through her powerful storytelling and poetic voice, Aya shared her journey of grief, memory, and resilience. The session left both students and faculty visibly moved, making this encounter one of the most unforgettable moments of the semester.