Between Hope and Death: Shaheed as Equipment for Living Amid Palestine's Youth

Abstract

The narrative surrounding shaheed, or martyrdom, among Gaza’s youth, unfolds against the backdrop of intensified Israeli–Palestinian conflicts. In this piece, the author explores the layers of meaning that shaheed carries within this community, moving beyond the Western interpretations and stereotypes that often frame it within a solely negative light. Drawing from the Qur’anic concept of ayah and Kenneth Burke’s framework of narratives as “equipment for living,” the author offers an alternative viewpoint by showcasing how Palestinian youth, through the analytic of ayah, understand shaheed not as an endorsement of death but as a profound source of resilience and a scaffold for navigating the turbulent realities of conflict. In doing so, the author’s rhetoric analysis unveils the youth’s active role in shaping a narrative that bridges their immediate survival and broader existential beliefs, challenging the monolithic portrayal of their experiences and beliefs in mainstream media. This understanding positions shaheed within a broader existential and spiritual framework, revealing the complex relationship between cultural narratives, religious beliefs, and the lived realities of conflict.

Citation

Koleno, S. (2024), "Between Hope and Death: Shaheed as Equipment for Living Amid Palestine's Youth", Shah, T.M. (Ed.) Children and Youth in Armed Conflict: Responses, Resistance, and Portrayal in Media (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 35), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120240000035002