Poems for Peace in Syria
Haifaa uses poetry to express her hope for a more peaceful future
In Syria, millions of children, like 15-year-old Haifaa, are growing up in conflict. These children are uniquely vulnerable. They are often uprooted from home or exposed to extreme trauma. It is much harder for them to access healthcare or education.
With Poems for Peace, UNICEF gives children a platform to explain in their own words the impact of conflict on their lives – and their hopes and dreams for the future. By amplifying the voices of children, UNICEF is highlighting the extraordinary strength and courage of young people longing for a more stable future.
From the ruins of Aleppo, Syria, 15-year-old Haifaa shares a poem calling for peace.
Haifaa was born blind. Her father, who studied Arabic literature encouraged her to discover her passion for poetry at Grade 3.
She wrote her first poem, about enthusiasm, then, but as she describes it with a laugh “it was not a success”.
Haifaa did not give up and practiced poetry daily. As she is now in Grade 9, she is very proud of her poetry skills.
“I was excited to write about peace because in these circumstances, peace is the answer,” she says. Haifaa, who was a toddler when the conflict in Syria began, has grown up knowing nothing but the crisis.
Poetry is not the only thing Haifaa is interested in, she also attended UNICEF-supported computer courses for children with disabilities, in addition to English courses.
“I feel that I have a responsibility to tell the world that people with disability are like other people. We are equally capable of achieving things. Sometimes, it’s only harder for us to get the opportunity to do so; hence, we have to put ourselves out there
Video description: Haifa stands in front of rubble while wearing a black headscarf and black coat with a leopard print hood. She recites the following poem:
00:01 – 00:05 When peace was lost and the songs of birds fell silent
عندما فقد السلام وغاب صوت الحمام
00:06 – 00:13 Hoping for safety and stability in the land of peace, I wrote this poem (called soon)
ملاً بعودة الاستقرار والأمان إلى أرضٍ هي مهد السلام، كتبت (عمّا قريب)
00:14 – 00:17 To the one who’s absent from us, we miss you (peace)
أيها الغائب عنا، اشتقنا إليك
00:18 – 00:21 We miss the drops of dew and the tenderness of your hands
اشتقنا لقطر الندى، لحنان يديك
00:22 – 00:25 “Peace” you have been gone for so long, and people are thirsty for you
سلام قد طال الجفا والناس عطاش إليك
00:26 – 00:30 Why did you leave our country, when it’s the land of your parents?
لماذا هجرت بلادنا، وهي أرض أبويك
00:31 – 00:34 We are bored of a life you are not in, we are bored of a life without your stories
مللنا حياةً لست فيها، مللنا قصصاً تطعن فيك
00:35 – 00:40 Children were born in your absence, and their hearts are missing you
أطفالٌ ولدوا بغيابك، تشتاق قلوبهم إليك
00:41 – 00:45 They suffered from war and witnessed disasters, and only god’s kindness could save you
عانوا حرباً وشهدوا كوارث، سوى لطف الله لا ينجيك
00:46 – 00:51 Women were screaming in fear, the ground is shaking, calling you
نساءٌ تصرخ خوفاً، أرضٌ تهتز تناديك
00:52 – 00:55 Can you promise us a visit? A promise you will keep?
أما تعدنا بزيارةٍ؟ تجعلها عهداً عليك؟
