Umm Saleem (birth name Najah Qannita), mother to 4 in Gaza, grandmother of many, is a Rosemount community member. I, Hikima Robe, also a Rosemount community member had met her at the local masjid in Rosemount as she was seeking to implore for help in the case of her children. Together with a friend of mine, we determined that the best way to help is to open a gofundme campaign for her. Her story is astounding, as she had migrated with her husband to the states just under a month before the staggering war broke out in Gaza. They had left behind 3 daughters (one of which is currently pregnant), Suha Qannita, Ruhifa Qannita, Maha Qannita, and one son, Salim Qannita, all married, all bearing children, totaling 11 grandchildren ranging from 6 months to 9 years. Her plan was to essentially summon them after establishing herself in the states and attaining the documentation to do so, but upon the commencement of the war and its persistence, the highest of Umm Saleem’s hopes is to ensure her childrens’ safety. They are currently in the encampment of dar al-Balah, one of Gaza’s tent neighborhoods. After having lost everything from their homes (their homes became destroyed by the bobmings in the Nasr, Shuja'iyya, and Dar al-Balah regions of Gaza), to the majority of their possessions, to life in the gracious circumstances they were accustomed to, they struggle to survive in their new make-shift dwellings. Basic necessities such as clean water, vegetables, bread, milk, eggs, pampers, simple medicines, etc… are at staggering and unaffordable prices, there is no safety and no certainty in the prospect of safety, and life is painfully difficult.

Umm Saleem’s hope is to pay her childrens’ way out along with their spouses coupled with their children across the Egyptian border. Before the Israel forces had invaded Raf’ah, the price per adult was $5,500, and $2,500 per child, and the borders have been closed ever since Israel seized control of them in May. Moreover, there’s no way of telling how much prices will increase in order to cross the border once they reopen. Through this fundraiser, we hope to collect funds for the moment Israel opens the borders again so that Umm Saleem can pay her children, their spouses, and grandchildren’s way out. 

With the remaining funds, she will send them to her children in increments to purchase their basic necessities to get them by day to day. Furthermore, no party helping collect the funds will receive any share of them whatsoever.

Please take it upon yourself to help in whatever way you can. It is our duty to alleviate the pains and calamities of those in our communities, and it is from the little we can do to partake in helping the Gazan situation, despite the grandeur nature of it.