Was there ever a period of your life where your first thought upon waking up was “I’m still alive, alhamdullilah.”?
That’s how Bisan Wizard, a Palestinian activist, filmmaker, and content creator, starts her messages on her Instagram broadcasting channel where she shares updates about herself and her community in real time as they face Israeli attacks, genocide and forced displacement in Gaza.
“This is Bisan. I’m still alive, alhamdullilah”.
Bisan’s activism is an extension of her creative practice. Activism and art cross paths when we use them to talk about and share what we’re witnessing and experiencing truthfully and with courage.The acts of speaking and creating are evidence that we’re still alive, we’re engaged with the world, and we refuse to be die as passive observers, but instead as shaheed -witnesses to the truth.
Being present in this world is to witness its awfulness and beauty, and to share both with others is a way of knowing that we’re alive too –like pinching ourselves to make sure we’re not dreaming. This is a powerful act that helps us connect to our Creator, the most authentic parts of ourselves and to each other.
Alhamdullilah, in every state and even in the most dire situations artists are still creating and we can all be a witness to one another.
Alhumdulilah, we are still alive.