In a land that continues to bleed like Palestine, weapons are not just bullets and rockets. There is another force, more subtle yet far more powerful—the power of “stories.” In every destroyed home, in every ruin of a mosque, behind the tears of Palestinian children, there always lives a story passed down through generations. This is what the occupiers fear most—stories that never die.
Why does Israel fear Palestinian women and children? Because they are the unwavering guardians of history. When a mother tucks her child into bed, she does not merely tell stories to ward off fear. She instills memories of ancestral lands, of her father’s martyrdom in battle, of her grandfather who lifted stones against tanks. Every word is a seed of resistance, every story is a flame that keeps the spirit of freedom burning.
If we examine closely, many of today’s Palestinian fighters grew up as orphans. They lost their fathers on the battlefield, yet they never lost their way. For their mothers continued to instill in them tales of courage, honor, and the rights that must never be taken away. From these tales emerged a new generation ready to defend their homeland—not out of hatred, but out of a deep love for freedom.
This is why stories hold such immense power that Israel fears them so much. As long as these stories live on, the Palestinian struggle will never fade. Its spirit spreads from mother to child, from teacher to student, from volunteer to people around the world. Like what Dompet Dhuafa does, which not only sends aid but also shares the stories of volunteers who died as martyrs so they remain alive in the memory of humanity.
Recognizing this power, Dompet Dhuafa has launched a massive storytelling campaign in schools. From the remote regions of Aceh to the lands of Papua, stories about Palestine resonate. This initiative collaborates with local storytellers, instilling empathy and solidarity in Indonesian children from a young age.
This movement is now gaining greater momentum through collaboration with the National Storytelling Forum (FPN). Together, they are elaborating on the power of storytelling in a noble mission, namely “National Action: Indonesian Children’s Love for Palestinian Children”. On May 15, 2025, this action will be held simultaneously in 100 locations across Indonesia. This initiative is not only for schoolchildren but also for teachers and parents, so that the voice of Palestine resonates in educational spaces and in the homes of Indonesian communities.
Dompet Dhuafa believes that storytelling is not merely a tale. It is a silent weapon that speaks for human rights, fosters solidarity, and defends the freedom of Palestine without bounds. Through this movement, Dompet Dhuafa aims to strengthen the story of Palestine’s struggle so that it continues to live on as long as there are people willing to speak out and listen. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika