Mohammed S M Antar - Antar from Gaza
Donation protected
My name is Brent Corbett-Higgins, living in Southampton, UK. and I first met Antar while visiting Istanbul where he was working as a tour guide in December 2024.
His energy was infectious — joyful, warm, and full of life. I had such a great time that I visited him again in February. That’s when Antar finally opened up. He shared with me the pain he had been hiding for years — a pain too heavy to carry alone.
At first, he didn’t show it. He said, “My job is to make people feel good, not to bring drama.” But I cared. I wanted to know who he really was.
Antar is from Gaza City, Palestine. He rose to fame in 2009 and 2010, touring Europe as a political rapper. But his success came at a cost — he was harassed, investigated, and silenced simply for being a political artist from Gaza.
He had no choice but to leave — Gaza wasn’t safe for his voice anymore. He moved to Egypt with the help of people who believed in him. His story is written here:
Within a month, he made it to Brazil — his last international tour — then returned to Egypt. But in Egypt, life wasn’t easier. Many artists were afraid to express political messages through their work. His story was buried, his identity rejected.
He spent five silent years in Cairo, trying to survive. Then in October 2018, he moved to Istanbul — a city he hoped would give him another chance. By March 2019, he released a music video.
Antar worked hard. He built a home studio with his own hands. He taught himself composing, mixing, and producing. He completed two professional music videos and had a full album ready to release.
Then October 7th happened.
His world collapsed.
He put his music aside and poured everything he had into helping his sister and her children escape Gaza. Every penny he earned, he sent to them. His joy disappeared. He became deeply depressed. He even tried to swim to Greece — a desperate attempt to run from his sadness.
The happy Antar — the one who once made everyone laugh — was gone.
His health quickly declined. A few months ago, he had almost zero vitamin D in his blood. Most of his other vitamins were critically low too. He hasn’t received HIV treatment in six years. He became too weak to move, lost his appetite, and now lives on medication.
He also lost his family home in Gaza.
We came very close to losing Antar completely.
Today, Antar is broke, sick, and isolated. But he is still here. And I’m sharing this because he needs us — and I believe he deserves to feel the same love and energy that he has given to so many others.
Antar always showed up with a smile, even when he was suffering inside. Now, it’s time we show up for him.
Please — help me help my friend. Let’s bring Antar back to life. Let’s help him reunite with his sister, get the HIV treatment he needs, recover his health, and find his voice again.
We all need Antar. We need the light, joy, and energy he gives this world.
Let’s not let it fade.
All donations will be collected in the UK and sent to Antar's bank account in Istanbul. These will cover HIV & medication costs as well as travel costs to Egypt.
Organizer
Brent Corbett-Higgins
Organizer
England