Writing to Process a War

There are stereotypes linked to the word refugee, but behind this word there are stories hidden in the shadow. In the Incluusion program we try to spotlight these stories. Today we will share the story of Saba Hamzah, a former Incluusion student, who finds her escape from the war in Yemen by writing. 

Art against violence and injustice 
I started writing when I was 7 years old. I lost my teacher Fatema Al-Matri in the war in 1994. Her death came as a complete shock. She was only 17 and she escaped from the bombing in the city to her village, just to be killed there! It was the first time I experienced loss and I didn't know how to react to that. My sister then advised me to write letters and take photographs to express my feelings, and I did that for several years. It shaped my life trajectory.  
 
Besides, growing up as a girl in and from Yemen is very challenging; as I grew up, the more boundaries/borders were drawn and wars I had to confront.  So, I turned to write poems and stories. I use my devices to sew memories and speak up against violence and injustice. It is my way to challenge the boundaries by creating alternative ways to cross them.

Writing a controversial book 
2009 was a turning point in my life, publishing a book was one of the things I wanted to achieve. There were many stories that I couldn't tell otherwise. I wrote extensively before and during the Arab Spring. The writing was part of my own revolution. I finished the book at the beginning of 2012. After I found a publisher, I told my family that the book is talking about controversial topics related to women and class. I was worried that my parents would be against this step but thankfully, they weren't. 
 
After publishing the book, I expected to be criticized because people usually tend to deny such social issues. However, I received good reviews from friends, critiques, and other readers. Girls from Yemen and other Arab countries contacted me and told me they recognized themselves in my stories. The book was the bestseller among Yemeni books in the Riadh (Saudi Arabia) International book fair in 2013, according to statistics conducted by the fair, and is held by the Harvard University's Library and other international libraries. 
 
Exile journey 
At one point, I thought I got lost in the exile journey. But when I look back, I find that I'm still doing the same thing I was doing for years. I'm pursuing my mission, speaking up and sewing memories for and about women and other marginalized groups, using line and light as my main devices.