Meet Bisan Owda, the 25-Year-Old Journalist With Stories Realer Than the West’s Billion-Dollar News Industry
In a world that has repeatedly silenced marginalized groups, women, journalists, and in light of recent events has silenced the Palestinians, Bisan Owda, a Palestinian journalist from Beit Hanoun in Gaza, stands as a pillar of resilience and determination, inspiring journalists and women across the world for her steadfastness in becoming a powerful voice for her people.
On this Muslim Women’s Day, we spotlight Owda, whose work has not only shed light on what life looks like in an active genocide, but it underscores the indestructible force of Muslim women, and gives the media world a great example on how ethical journalism is properly done.
Since the start of her journey into mass communications, Owda has always focused on the people of her country, their stories, and why the glorious lands of Palestine empower her as a woman. She shares with her audience just how happy and simple life was for many Gazans like her prior to the genocide launched on Oct. 7th which has not only looted the dreams belonging to thousands of people but changed the trajectory of people’s careers, just like Owda’s. She, among a handful of other journalists, became the strongest voice for modern history’s bloodiest humanitarian crisis.
Owda’s work quickly captured the attention of millions of people across social media as she shared what her daily life and struggles looked like under constant Israeli bombardment.
Despite losing her home and her workplace to bombings, and despite being displaced from one city in Gaza to another, Owda’s work quickly captured the attention of millions of people across social media as she shared what her daily life and struggles looked like under constant Israeli bombardment. A woman, whose feed was once filled with smiles and passion for a country called home, was now filled with tears, frustration, rage, and bloodied/dismembered corpses.
On Muslim Women’s Day, Owda is indeed a great personality for us to look up to because this is the day her work takes on an even greater significance. This day, celebrated globally, aims to amplify the voices of Muslim women and shed light on their diverse experiences and contributions. For Owda, it has been to change the entire narrative around the genocide, it has been to repeatedly call out world leaders and international law to do their jobs properly, it has been to force the world to wake up and use their voices in support of the oppressed, and it has been to remind all those complicit in the genocide that history and generations to come will not forgive nor forget their silence on the assassination of scores of Palestinians.
And while the tyrannical forces of Israel try and censor such voices, and try to demolish any last existing connections/resources the Palestinians may have with the outside world, Owda’s work continues to reach a wide audience each day, both locally and internationally.
Owda is actively teaching us that when we tell our own stories instead of the mainstream folks, we take back power.
Her commitment to storytelling and documenting this moment of world history extends beyond her work. She has become a mentor to all the young Muslim women who want to enter the news industry, and Owda is actively teaching us that when we tell our own stories instead of the mainstream folks, we take back power.
As Muslim Women’s Day is celebrated, and the voices of many influential Muslim women are platformed, Owda’s message is clear: journalism isn’t just about reporting the truth and broadcasting stories in a timely manner. It is the most powerful tool to empower and humanize the reports that often go ignored.
Owda’s journey, before and after the genocide, is a testament to the courage and resilience of countless Muslim women who, every day, navigate complex realities with grace and strength. In honoring Owda, we not only celebrate her achievements but also women just like Owda, who are making their mark on the world, one story at a time.
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