“Mental Health is a Human Right.”
– Laila Mokhiber, Director of Communications, UNRWA USA
Dear Fellow Warrior,
Recently, on May 31, 2025, I participated in the UNRWA DC Gaza 5K. It was a bittersweet moment to be back again this particular year.
The event was at the usual place at Rock Creek Park, in Washington DC. I have been blessed to have the modest opportunity to support Palestine through this fundraiser since 2015. And I am so happy I could return to the DC Gaza Fundraiser event this year, especially at this tragic moment for Palestine.
As always, it was a beautiful, empowering experience. The DC Gaza 5K keeps growing bigger each year, as they had over 2,000 people this year. They reached their $600,000 goal and beyond!
So, a big congratulations to UNRWA for that!
Once again, I want to thank all those who donated through my fundraiser. As of now, thanks to my donors, I almost reached my personal goal of raising $500 this year. With all the generous donations, I was able to raise $400, which was bigger than my last 5k! This may seem small, but it goes a long way for the Children of Palestine.
I truly appreciate all my donors from this year (Sami Khwaja, Sabih Khwaja, Shaena Friedman, Shabir Khwaja, and an Anonymous donor), and all the previous years since 2015.
May God reward you for your generosity… especially for the Palestinian children in this dire moment.
This year felt different… both personally and collectively.
As I have shared in the past, this particular fundraiser is very important to me because it addresses two intersecting causes that have great significance to me (and many others): mental health and Palestinian liberation… and specifically through the mental health care of children in Palestine.
The Gaza 5k also became a special non-academic activity during my doctoral studies, a way for me to stay connected to Palestine. As a survivor of mental health challenges and advocate for mental health, the event is one way we can demonstrate that our struggles can help us empathize and show compassion for others, while also thinking beyond ourselves.
You can honor your struggle alongside the struggle of others without feeling shame or guilt, often associated with mental health stigma.
Over the years, I have written about the DC Gaza 5k in my blog.
Here is the last post from 2023:
In the article, I share some other posts from previous years of participating in this DC Gaza 5K Fundraiser.
The last DC Gaza 5K was two years ago, and at that time, I also made this video on YouTube to share some rough thoughts after the 5K event. This took place just months before the genocide escalated. I remember thinking back then that the situation was already unlivable… unbearable.
No one could have imagined it could reach this level of depravity, especially for the children of Palestine.
No one could have imagined how much suffering Palestinians would endure before the world would begin to wake up…And no one could have imagined that even now… so few would do anything to stop it. That the silence could be this deafening.
Over 17,000 Children have been martyred, and many thousands more have suffered serious injuries. Gaza is considered the most dangerous place in the world for children.
The devastating humanitarian situation, the psychological trauma of genocide and blockage of aid, has left thousands of Palestinian refugee children in a constant state of crisis, needing healthcare, including mental health support. This trauma will continue for generations to come.
At the race this year, I wore the medal that UNRWA sent me the year I graduated with my doctorate in 2021, again this year. That felt special. And they had a new medal that they gave to everyone at the end of the race. Because, ultimately, we are all winners just for showing up and participating in the spirit of humanity and for the sake of Palestine.
I was number 2406, 1335th place overall. 799th among women.
I like being in 799th place. Those numbers have some spiritual significance. 🙂
It wasn’t a great time. Nonetheless, it is important just to show up, inshallah. And I am really glad I did.
It was another beautiful, refreshing experience embracing a moment to honor the struggle of the Palestinians, another beautiful act of resistance, and an even more empowering and spiritual experience this year, at a personal and collective level.
It was also amazing to be around Muslims, and the Ummah, again.
This event generates interest from people of all backgrounds, religions, and ethnic groups, which was wonderful to see this year. Indeed, it was simply amazing to be surrounded by Americans who care about Palestine.
At the beginning, Laila Mokhiber introduced the 5k and shared the importance of what UNRWA is doing in Palestine and what UNRWA has continued to do during this recent escalation of the Genocide.
It is important for the world to know. So, I encourage you to learn more about what the incredible organization has been doing, as a leading humanitarian organization operating on the ground in Gaza.
Here is their website to learn more: https://www.unrwausa.org
In the photo above, Laila Mokhiber introduces four Nakba survivors (two children), at the UNRWA Gaza 5K in Washington, DC. It was a truly precious moment.
Every Nakba survivor deserves our utmost love, support, and respect.
A Personal Relection on Spirituality & Empowerment at the 2025 DC Gaza 5K
This year, the experience was also very spiritual...for many reasons.
It was my first Gaza 5K wearing hijab, post-Umrah. As you know, I am someone who follows the heart. So, following my heart, I decided to bring my Quran this year, and read Surah An-Nisa during the Gaza 5K, the chapter I coincidentally just happened to be reading at the time.
I read from a small Quran I bought in Madinah during Ramadan, from a brother who happened to be Palestinian, on the final Friday before we traveled to Makkah for the pilgrimage.
Reading that Surah, from that Quran, in this 5K, for the children of Palestine felt incredibly powerful. Surah An-Nisa is the chapter of the Quran that focuses on the rights of women, children, and especially orphans.
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” – Surah An-Nisa, The Women (4:58)
Since the Gaza 5k is for the mental healthcare of Palestinian refugee children, it was special. It is estimated that around 40,000 children in Gaza have been orphaned during this Genocide, with the “largest orphan crisis” in modern world history.
I finished reciting the Surah about ten minutes before reaching the finish line. I then proceeded to recite some prayers. I repeated the prayer we would say near the Holy Kaaba, Labaik Allahumma Labaik… I am Here, Oh Allah, I am here.
Additionally, I recited another powerful dua taken directly from the previous chapter of the Quran, (Surah Aal-Imran (3:173))…. Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel…
Allah is Sufficient and the best disposer of affairs. This is a prayer I’ve heard many Palestinians recite in the heartwrenching videos throughout these past 20 months.
The full verse from the Quran:
“Those to whom the people said, ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But it [only] increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal wakeel.'”
(Surah Aal-Imran, 3:173)
As I approached the end of the race, following my authentic soul, I lifted the Quran in the air and said, “Allahu Akbar” when crossing the finish line. I was doing what the heart was feeling in the moment of “triumph,” in passing the finish line. The metaphorical “finish line” for various milestones in my life came to mind, and would always include that powerful chant…”Allahu Akbar”… as well. Alhumdullilah.
In past years, there were moments when I would witness people being cheered right in front of me… and then, when I would pass the finish line, there would be silence. It felt like the story of my life in some ways. Of course, you tell yourself not to take it personally. They just don’t know you.
But when that happens often enough… it can bring up some trauma. Not just from that moment, but from all the times you’ve felt invisible.
As I have written often in this blog, invisibility can be among the most painful human emotions to experience in various ways. Even if you are used to it, it can still trigger the same trauma and pain. It is a matter of finding the right coping mechanisms.
So I prepared myself emotionally. And I am glad I turned to Islam to help me develop a stronger coping mechanism for this difficult experience. It does take great strength to show up at these events on your own. But it’s important to show up anyway.
There was a big crowd this year cheering everyone on… but I didn’t notice them. My heart was with Palestine…. and with Allah, trying to keep my intentions for being at the event and participating in it as pure as possible, so Allah would accept the effort, and answer my prayers for Palestine.
It was okay that no one noticed or understood my gesture with the Quran (and perhaps it is a bit unusual to see someone reading a Book during a 5K). 🙂 That part was okay to keep invisible, even if there was a little intention of Dawah and visibility for the Muslim world. The great majority of Palestinians are Muslims; over 1100 Mosques have been destroyed in Gaza, and this is a travesty that has a profound impact across the Muslim world.
But that was perfect….The silence.
Because, we must remember, as Muslims, that every activity has its reward if it is sincere. And I have been working hard on being careful of the “hidden shirk” present in our souls, the Riyah, which I will write more about in a future post. Sincerity for Allah can be very difficult sometimes, but when we realize what is at stake, we can achieve it.
Ultimately, the silence was perfect because Allah is sufficient. Because Allah had to be sufficient for me, then and there, and beyond. It was part of the reason why I kept repeating Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel… throughout my time there, as I walked past the crowd, enjoying their family and friends.
That old pain of invisibility and solitude did return just for a moment… but in the past, it would have made me sad…and cry a little.
That day… Allah was sufficient.
We trust Allah in His reasoning for why some of us are perhaps not intended to be seen and loved by the masses.
It does not mean we shrink our voices and stop showing up. We must humble ourselves in front of Allah, and trust His plan for us. Trust that whatever we do, we will have an impact, especially if it is meant to be for the good of all humankind, and in the name of Allah.
There are times we fight, especially if there is injustice… and we must… but there are times we surrender… Alhumdullilah for this necessary Inward Revolution.
After the race, I prayed two rikat nafl on the grass, using my prayer mat from Makkah… drank a sip of Zam Zam… and recited a few specific prayers for our dear brothers and sisters of Palestine.
It was just so comforting to be surrounded by people who care deeply for Palestine. And to be around the Ummah again.
And it feels so powerful now, after having that taste of the Ultimate Revolution. That was beautiful. My little brother told me I’d be fine doing all the walking during Umrah, because I do these 5Ks. And here I was!… reliving part of my Umrah through this 5K for Palestine.
Another serendipitous moment of divine providence… tying this walk to that spiritual reawakening. Subhanallah.
And it’s always precious to see so many children take part in this as well.
We must center the voices of Palestinian children and children everywhere.
Overall, it was a beautiful and spiritual experience this year.
The people of Palestine… my brothers and sisters… have always reminded me of who I am… and what’s in my heart. And I have to follow it, however that may come out, authentically…
I know others have felt the same. And we have witnessed, even in the past two years, that there are many people who have surrendered to Allah (SWT) entirely because of Palestine.
This is part of the Revolution. It always was… As the Quran says, “there is no compulsion to religion,” but Islam was a revolutionary faith in so many ways, and we are seeing that unfold today as well.
Whether you are 1st place or 799th place, you win when you show up, with your whole heart. No matter the adversity. No matter the invisibility. No matter your vulnerability.
You may seem like the Underdog, but you have won, simply by never giving up, by having integrity and courage, by staying resilient, empowered, and connected through it all.
And most importantly, finishing the race, staying true to who you are, never feeling you have to compromise your identity, your soul, your truth, in any way, just to belong, to be loved, to be accepted, to be treated with respect, to be a leader, and to make valuable contributions to the world…
You will undoubtedly get knocked down many times, but you will rise up with your full heart every time. This is part of the many lessons that the Palestinians have been teaching us.
You have to know what it’s like to be on the bottom to understand how to rise. Let it be your greatest teacher of all.
Let it educate you. Let it build your character.
Let it serve its purpose and remind you of yours.
Let it prepare you to rise into the greatness that was always written for you…
“There is no better teacher than adversity.” – Malcolm X
I appreciated Executive Director Mara Kronenfeld’s remarks (along with the moment of silence), particularly when she talked about the importance of showing up. It is important to keep showing up and turning our grief, our pain, our hopelessness into action in every possible way. Here is the video of her speech on Instagram.
Inshallah… May we see a Free Palestine in our lifetime.
May Allah (SWT) ease the suffering of our dear brothers and sisters of Palestine…and our beloved children of Palestine.
Free Palestine.
These photos below show me right before the race, a clenched fist, the usual symbol of Revolution, and a heart already full of intention. And then one Right after….the heart full of dua, and my hands still holding our Holy Quran.. the ultimate Revolution.
Thank you again to all those who support UNRWA for Palestine!
My fundraiser for more info: https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org/fundraiser/6352083. This year, I am again excited to gift my paintings to the donors. This is part of my larger Painting Heals initiative (which originally began as an initiative for flood relief in Pakistan). I hope to be reaching out to you very soon about the paintings!
My recent Letter to the Children of Palestine:
Thank you for reading this reflection from the 2025 UNRWA Gaza 5k. I am grateful to everyone who appreciates these authentic moments, reflections, experiences, and observations.
Here is a short video from the Gaza 5K this year:
Thank you to UNRWA for giving us another opportunity to take action and feel closer to Palestine at this critical moment. I have learned so much from you over the years, and I look forward to continue supporting your life-saving work for the Palestinian people in the future.
“I never lose. I either win or learn.” – Nelson Mandela
Free Palestine.
In Solidarity and Peace, Warmth, and Blessings,
Your sister, Dr. Elsa, Warrior KQueen
“She wasn’t looking for a Knight. She was looking for the Sword.” – Atticus
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