Talk with Author Shadi Salem (“Beneath the Gaza Sky”)

Beneath the Gaza Sky is a powerful human testimony to the raw truth of life under Israeli occupation, a gripping, heartfelt narrative, intertwining the innocence of childhood with the brutal realities of war. In a world of bombardment and loss, Shadi shares stories of family, love, grief, and longing, a reality where pain is imposed, yet hope refuses to die. More than a memoir, this book stands as a tribute to the unbreakable spirit of Gaza’s people, a culture that defies erasure, and a Palestinian identity that endures despite siege and destruction. It is a story of a people who will not bow, and a nation that resists in order to remain.

Shadi Salem is a Palestinian writer and researcher holding a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the Islamic University of Gaza. He is the co-founder of the Edward Said Library in Gaza, which has become more than just a library—it stands as a cultural space of resistance, filled with the pulse of awareness and defiance against erasure and displacement. Shadi also manages a Malaysian cultural center in Gaza, and has participated in international cultural programs aimed at promoting dialogue and breaking barriers imposed on Palestinian identity. Through his writings and initiatives, he dedicates his efforts to amplifying Gaza’s voice and shedding light on both the suffering and the unwavering courage of a people who refuse to surrender despite blockade and destruction.