Maria al-Assar

Maria was in her first year of kindergarten. She loved her teacher a great deal, and dreamed of growing up to become a kindergarten teacher herself. She always talked about her dreams and her life, and hoped to wear the hijab in the fifth grade. Maria was killed before she could achieve any of her dreams. She was a perceptive child who thought about things beyond her years. From a post by her mother: "My Maria... will I really never see you again, never hear your voice, never comb your beautiful hair while we argue about the hairstyle? You would tell me, 'Mama, do it like this and this,' and I would say, 'Alright,' or, 'No, I want to do something prettier for you.' Will you really not run to hug me and tell me, 'Mama, I missed you so much and I love you so much'? And you won't kiss me the way you always did? You would never settle for fewer than five kisses. I will miss you so much, and I'll miss your beautiful laugh. The days will be so bleak without you, without your wit and your gestures. The great void you left behind hurts me so much. I will keep looking through your pictures and telling you, 'Mama misses you so much and loves you so much,' and I will wait for you to answer me." The occupation killed Maria on November 11, 2023.