In a battered corner of Khan Younis, one Palestinian woman is bringing light and hope to her neighbours ahead of Ramadan — crafting lanterns by hand amid tents and ruins.
A Flame of Creativity Amid Hardship
In the heart of a refugee settlement in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, 32-year-old Reihan Sharab sits inside her small tent. Surrounded by cardboard scraps, glue and a utility knife, she meticulously fashions handmade lanterns that will brighten homes scattered across the camp.
These simple lanterns — inspired by the traditional fanous of Ramadan — are fashioned from leftover humanitarian aid materials. Despite their modest construction, they bring a welcoming glow to families whose lives have been upended by years of conflict and displacement.
Sharab smiles gently as she explains that what may seem like a humble craft is her way of earning a small income to support herself and her two children. She pauses in her work to say that while it is hard and time-consuming, making lanterns is one of the few options she has to make ends meet.
“I collect empty boxes and cardboard when I can — it’s getting harder to find them now,” she says. “I want to make more before Ramadan so I can sell them and earn a little money.”
Keeping Spirit Alive in Dark Times
Sharab herself was forced from her home following the latest wave of fighting, one of thousands displaced across Gaza. Now, like other residents of the camp, she faces shortages of food, shelter and basic services. Yet as preparations for the holy month of Ramadan unfold across the enclave, she has turned her craft into a source of resilience — not just for her family but also for her community.
Across Gaza, many are marking Ramadan under stark conditions: damaged marketplaces, distant sounds of conflict and ongoing uncertainty after ceasefires and truces have provided only partial relief. In Al-Zawiya market and other areas, traditional decorations and lanterns are in demand despite widespread devastation.
In this context, Sharab’s handmade lanterns — lit in tents and between rows of canvas shelters — have become symbols of persistence, faith and hope. Simple though they are, these lanterns embody a steadfast message: even in the darkest times, the desire for light — and for normalcy in a holy month — remains alive.
From: Anadolu Ajansi
