Posters of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces

By Samer Khuwayera, IOL Correspondent

NABLUS, September 22 (IslamOnline.net) – Thousands of Palestinians have lost their livelihood as the Israeli occupation army cracked down hard on all cities and towns in the wake of the 2000 unparalleled Intifada. Hundreds others were killed or martyred themselves to their cause only to make a living for fellow citizens.

Talented Palestinians have used their paintbrushes to draw the faces of dozens of Palestinian resistance fighters or civilians just to make ends meet but also as a tribute for the deceased.   

“The idea of drawing pictures of the Palestinian martyrs came up the same day Ibrahim bin Ouda [a leader of Ezzudin Al-Qassam Brigades] was assassinated in November 2000,” Raed Awwad told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, September 21.

“I drew a picture of Oda on a huge piece of clothing which the Palestinians carried during his funereal,” he added proudly.

"After this event, I started to draw oil pictures for hundreds of Palestinian martyrs, a matter which was welcomed by the Palestinian people.”

Awwad, known in his native Nablus as the first Palestinian to draw faces of the Palestinian victims on clothing, said he had to charge his pictures to pay his university fees.

“Drawing is my favorite hobby. After graduation, drawing has become a job,” he said.

Awwad, who is also a teacher at the Abu Dees Arab Arts Institute, said he earns enough money from drawing pictures of the Palestinian martyrs.

He also draws on different sizes of placards, using kinds of colors such as the dry, water and oil colors.

Palestinians are also using more sophisticated ways to display pictures of the Palestinian martyrs through using laser rays.

“This technique was only used in the celebrations of institutions and individuals as well as the graduation ceremonies, but now it is largely used in displaying the pictures of Palestinian martyrs,” said Amar Dowykat, a designer at Al-Quds Laser Art Institute in Nablus.

Pride

But it is also a source pride for the Palestinian painters to draw the faces of beloved ones, who sacrificed themselves to liberate the homeland.

A torrent of posters has flooded streets and alleys whether glued to houses or even lampposts.  

“With the increasing number of the Palestinian martyrs, there was a rising demand from the Palestinian factions or from the family and friends of the martyr to make posters for them,” said Wajdi Al-Arori, a graphics designer.

“Such an increasing demand has generated more job opportunities for the Palestinian youth in such hard times, especially those talented and interested in designing.”

He said the demand on drawing and designing pictures of the Palestinian martyrs was not such widespread during the first Palestinian Intifada.