Dear World

A Syrian girl recounts the war and calls for peace

Bana Alabed

Bana Alabed was only three years old when a brutal civil war broke out in Aleppo, depriving her of her right to a happy and safe childhood. Over the next four years, Bana knew nothing but bombing, destruction, and fear. The seven-year-old girl resorted to "Twitter" to describe and document the atrocities she and her family were subjected to in a country torn apart by a relentless war. Her messages, through the hashtag she dedicated to this topic, aroused feelings of sympathy throughout the world and were the voice of millions of innocent, voiceless children. More than just a family story in wartime, "Dear World" embodies a child's testimony and her perspective on what is arguably one of the most horrific humanitarian crises ever. It is a lesson in hope and love despite all losses, a story about a brave little girl besieged by war who inspired the entire world with a simple message: I need Peace. "A story of love and courage amidst a reality of brutality and terror, it is the testimony of a child who suffered immensely in unimaginable circumstances." - J. K. Rowling