Movie Screening: The Voice of Hind Rajab

As a part of the pre-symposium event, The School of Social Sciences organized a screening of the movie "The Voice of Hind Rajab" on August 4, 2026. The film is based on the real-life story of Hind Rajab  and her family fleeing Gaza city after continuous bombing by the Israel Defence Force (IDF). Their vehicle was then shelled by the IDF killing her uncle, aunt and three cousins. Rajab and her 15 year old cousin survived and called Palestine Red Crescent Society for help. The cousin was also later killed and Rajab was stranded in the car for hours while she remained on call as the paramedics attempted to rescue her. Rajab and two paramedics who came to rescue her were also later found dead on February 10.

Before the screening, participants were provided with brief background information on the ongoing situation in Palestine and the events surrounding the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab. The screening was deeply evocative and left many participants with strong emotional responses. Recognizing the need for time and space to process the film, participants were given an opportunity for quiet reflection following the screening. After this, a short discussion on what we felt after watching the movie was discussed among participants which brought out many emotions like anger, grief, frustration and helplessness. 

Following this, participants were invited to write letters expressing or sending messages to the people in Palestine as well as  the characters of the movie. Some participants expressed their deep condolences and shared their feelings in an honest and unfiltered manner, while others reflected on what the characters might have been experiencing and feeling in those moments. The letters became a personal space for participants to process the emotions evoked by the film and to express solidarity, empathy, and compassion.

One participant wrote “ Nothing I write on this scrap of paper can come close to describing what I saw, what the reality is for so many people. I really have nothing to say, just hope the genocide ends, and children get to be children again.”

Another participant wrote “ Dear Omar, Rama & Team, I hope you all are doing well. It was really very disturbing and i dont get have words to explain how I am feeling after knowing about this incident. I just want to say you guys did your best. Keep up ur work. It was really amazing to know about this incident and hope you guys are doing well and Hammad you are a very amazing brave girl. I hope wherever you are you're doing well.”