On October 4, 2024, I had the honor of participating as an artist in the annual gala of Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) in Washington, DC. During the evening, my illustrations were displayed on each table, created in memory of Palestinian journalists killed over the past year during the war in Gaza. It was a deeply meaningful moment, a visual tribute to press freedom and the courage of those who risk their lives to report the truth.
The event also highlighted DAWN’s impact on U.S. foreign policy reform and its efforts to hold those responsible for human rights violations in the Middle East accountable. Two prominent figures were honored with the 2024 Integrity Awards: renowned conflict medicine surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah and Mehdi Hasan, founder of Zeteo. These awards recognize individuals who embody Jamal Khashoggi’s commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights, values that are central to DAWN’s mission.
Being part of this event was a powerful opportunity to reflect on the importance of justice and truth, principles that DAWN continues to promote with determination.
