Thousands of teddy bears displayed in Qatar pay tribute to children killed in Gaza

Record ID: 1844803

  • Title: Thousands of teddy bears displayed in Qatar pay tribute to children killed in Gaza
  • Date: 24th September 2024
  • Summary: DOHA QATAR (SEPTEMBER 20, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ART INSTALLATION OF A NUMBER OF TEDDY BEARS EACH REPRESENTING A CHILD'S LIFE LOST DURING THE GAZA CONFLICT, WITH SENTENCE ON EACH TEDDY BEAR READING (Arabic and English): "I am not just a number. I am a human, with an identity, with a homeland." VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING WITH TEDDY BEARS JORDANIAN LIVING IN QATAR, MAHA AL-SAID, WITH HER CHILDREN LOOKING AT THE INSTALLATION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN LIVING IN QATAR, MAHA AL-SAID, SAYING: "The idea of the teddy bear touched me. It shows that there are still children under the rubble, there are children being killed every day, living a tragedy, and who were deprived from education, food and their parents. Some have became orphans, others have now special needs and lost their limbs - that's tiring. A teddy bear installed in cement represents the fact that they remain underground, and this touches people's hearts and our spirits. They are not just numbers, they are martyrs and they are the ones who make us stronger with their resilience." PEOPLE VISITING THE INSTALLATION TEDDY BEAR INSTALLATION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN LIVING IN QATAR, MAHA AL-SAID, SAYING: "We came to stand by them, to feel their sadness, their tiredness - a long period has passed, we have been beside them for almost one year during this tragedy. This is a simple (initiative) - it is not about the teddy bear, but we want to make them feel that we are here, next to you with resilience. Whatever we give them, it remains not enough, we are not able to make it up for them. This touches everyone amongst us, whether it was our children, who we raise to keep in mind that there is still a (Palestinian) cause and land to defend. We feel sad that we are coming here just to do something simple." SAID CARRYING A TEDDY BEAR THAT SHE WILL TAKE HOME WITH HER CHILDREN VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VISITING THE INSTALLATION TEDDY BEARS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) 10-YEAR-OLD QATARI, FATIMAH KHALED, SAYING: "I came to the exhibition today to help the people of Palestine. I bought a teddy bear, and the money I bought with will go to Palestinian children, to help them buy food and clothes." DOHA QATAR (SEPTEMBER 22, 2024) (REUTERS) LARGE BANNER AT THE EXHIBITION READING (English): "ECHO OF LOST INNOCENCE, I AM NOT JUST A NUMBER" TEDDY BEAR INSTALLATION VARIOUS OF LEBANESE ARTIST, BACHIR MOHAMED, WHO CREATED THE INSTALLATION, HOLDING A TEDDY BEAR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE ARTIST, BACHIR MOHAMAD, SAYING: " 'The Echo of the lost Innocence' is an art installation made out of 15,000 art piece. Every piece represents the echo of the voice of the martyred children of Gaza, who were killed due to the Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023. The symbol of the teddy bear represents the innocence and childhood, which is globally agreed upon, even religiously, culturally and socially as well, and that is why I used it in this art piece. The cement symbolises the destruction that happened and is still happening in Gaza and Palestine." DOHA QATAR (SEPTEMBER 20, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS PACKAGING TEDDY BEARS DOHA QATAR (SEPTEMBER 22, 2024) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF COLLECTION DEPARTMENT AT QATAR CHARITY, AMER AL-BASIRI, SAYING: "As you know, the exhibition started a few days ago and there were 15,000 teddy bear, and after two to three days, we only have a quarter of the quantity left, there has been a great turnout from all nationalities. Everyone is taking the teddy bear with them to be part of the message. In God's will, we will make sure that these donations will reach the children of Gaza." DOHA QATAR (SEPTEMBER 20, 2024) (REUTERS) WORKERS TRANSPORTING TEDDY BEARS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT THE INSTALLATION DOHA QATAR (SEPTEMBER 22, 2024) (REUTERS) SUNSET OVER EXHIBITION
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2024 09:50
  • Keywords: Art Doha Initiative Qatar Teddy bears
  • Location: DOHA, QATAR
  • City: DOHA, QATAR
  • Country: Qatar
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001608623092024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands of teddy bears dressed in black t-shirts emblazoned with the message "I am not just a number. I am human with an identity," were placed on display in the capital Doha to pay tribute to killed Gazan children since the start of the Gaza conflict.
    Initially showcasing 15,000 teddy bears, the exhibition titled 'Echo of Lost Innocence' is part of an initiative to bring awareness to the fallen children and to raise funds for the enclave. With each piece sold, 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the children of Gaza.
    "After two to three days, we only have a quarter of the quantity left, there has been a great turnout from all nationalities," said head of the collection department of Qatar Charity, Amer Al-Basiri.
    The art installation, designed by multidisciplinary Lebanese artist Bachir Mohammad, will be on display until September 26 at Msheireb Downtown Doha.
    "Every piece represents the echo of the voice of the martyred children of Gaza, who were killed due to the Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023. The symbol of the teddy bear represents the innocence and childhood," said Mohammad.
    Jordanian resident of Qatar, Maha Said, said that she visited the exhibition to show support to young Gazans.
    "They are not just numbers, they are martyrs and they are the ones who make us stronger with their resilience," noted Said.
    The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, when the militant group killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The resulting Israeli military campaign has reduced the Strip to rubble and killed more than 41,300 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health ministry.
    (Production: Bassam Masoud, Abir Al Ahmar)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register