Marwa Musallam
Marwa Musallam was born in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City. She studied media at Al-Azhar University, graduating in 2018 and went on to work for the Al-Shabab radio station. There, she hosted several programs, including the daily morning program, a segment on mental health, and a children’s game show. A close friend and colleague said that Musallam “dreamed of freedom and a normal life.”
Musallam was martyred alongside her brothers Motaz and Montaser in the Al-Shaaf area of eastern Gaza when an Israeli missile struck their neighborhood on July 5, 2025 and buried them beneath rubble. The occupation refused safe access to the site, despite reports of voices calling for help. Their bodies were recovered on August 16, 2025. She was 29 years old.
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I am Mona Khader, a journalist from Gaza and coordinator of Filistiniyyat, the Palestinian Women Journalists’ Club. I am Mona Khader, a journalist from Gaza and coordinator of Filistiniyyat, the Palestinian Women Journalists’ Club.
Maybe the hardest and worst thing is to talk about our colleagues who have been martyred in this genocidal war. Maybe the hardest and worst thing is to talk about our colleagues who have been martyred in this genocidal war. There are images that, even now, we just can’t get out of our heads, There are images that, even now, we just can’t get out of our heads, because the genocide is still here, it hasn’t stopped. because the genocide is still here, it hasn’t stopped. The starvation is still ongoing. The starvation is still ongoing. The killing is still ongoing. The killing is still ongoing. I chose to speak about my colleague Heba al-Abadla because of the bond we had. I chose to speak about my colleague Heba al-Abadla because of the bond we had. Heba, while she was still at university, started training with us at Filistiniyyat. Heba, while she was still at university, started training with us at Filistiniyyat. She was a really bright, strong young woman even back when she was at university. She was a really bright, strong young woman even back when she was at university. She had huge ambitions to become a well-known journalist. She had huge ambitions to become a well-known journalist. She looked up to many women journalists, She looked up to many women journalists, including our colleague Shireen Abu Akleh, may God have mercy on her, who was also assassinated by the Israeli occupation. including our colleague Shireen Abu Akleh, may God have mercy on her, who was also assassinated by the Israeli occupation. She wanted to become like them. She wanted to become like them. She worked very hard at school and graduated at the top of her class. She worked very hard at school and graduated at the top of her class. She was an advocate for human rights and freedoms. She was an advocate for human rights and freedoms. She was very well-read and intelligent. She was very well-read and intelligent. Heba got married after graduating, but her marriage did not keep her from pursuing her ambitions. Heba got married after graduating, but her marriage did not keep her from pursuing her ambitions. She had a daughter. She had a daughter. Heba’s life was... Heba’s life was… I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to say. Heba was just very, very ambitious. Heba was just very, very ambitious. She had incredibly high aspirations. She had incredibly high aspirations. She went on to join a number of journalists’ groups and collectives. She went on to join a number of journalists’ groups and collectives. She always loved reporting. She always loved reporting. She really, really enjoyed broadcast journalism. She really, really enjoyed broadcast journalism. She put a huge amount of work into developing herself as a journalist. She put a huge amount of work into developing herself as a journalist. Heba was a victim of the Israeli occupation. Heba was a victim of the Israeli occupation. The last thing I remember from Heba was her pleading on Facebook to be rescued. The last thing I remember from Heba was her pleading on Facebook to be rescued. The occupation forces had besieged her neighborhood, The occupation forces had besieged her neighborhood, as happened to so many colleagues who were martyred in their homes. as happened to so many colleagues who were martyred in their homes. Whose homes were destroyed. Whose homes were destroyed. Perhaps the most recent was Marwa Musallam, who kept appealing for help on Facebook for maybe a week from under the rubble. Perhaps the most recent was Marwa Musallam, who kept appealing for help on Facebook for maybe a week from under the rubble. No one could rescue her because civil defense’s capacity had been severely depleted after two years of war and blockade, with no new supplies or equipment coming in. No one could rescue her because civil defense’s capacity had been severely depleted after two years of war and blockade, with no new supplies or equipment coming in. It was only after her martyrdom that she was removed as a skeleton from under the rubble. It was only after her martyrdom that she was removed as a skeleton from under the rubble. Skulls under their homes. Skulls under their homes. I hope Marwa is the last journalist whose body has to be recovered. I hope Marwa is the last journalist whose body has to be recovered. The war is still ongoing and this is very, very frightening. The war is still ongoing and this is very, very frightening. It is terrifying. It is terrifying.
Despite all this, journalists, men and women, are still there in Gaza. Despite all this, journalists, men and women, are still there in Gaza. They are determined to keep showing what’s happening, to keep reporting this genocide. They are determined to keep showing what’s happening, to keep reporting this genocide.
Going back to Heba... I keep thinking about the distress we felt with her in those final moments as she begged everyone to rescue her. Going back to Heba… I keep thinking about the distress we felt with her in those final moments as she begged everyone to rescue her. She appealed to the Red Cross and kept calling them. She appealed to the Red Cross and kept calling them. No one at all was able to rescue them and she was martyred while holding her daughter. No one at all was able to rescue them and she was martyred while holding her daughter. She was posting on her page about everything that was happening. She was posting on her page about everything that was happening. She wrote about the airstrikes on the house they were in. She wrote about the airstrikes on the house they were in. The place where they were sheltering. The place where they were sheltering. Everyone in the house was a civilian. Everyone in the house was a civilian. She kept writing about the tanks advancing until she was martyred. She kept writing about the tanks advancing until she was martyred. And that also reminds me of another colleague. And that also reminds me of another colleague. Heba was martyred while she was posting on Facebook, calling for someone to rescue her, for everyone to help her. Heba was martyred while she was posting on Facebook, calling for someone to rescue her, for everyone to help her. She couldn’t... She couldn’t… This occupation is a criminal occupation. This occupation is a criminal occupation. A criminal, murderous occupation. A criminal, murderous occupation.
There’s also my colleague Ayat, Ayat Khaddoura. There’s also my colleague Ayat, Ayat Khadoura. Ayat was martyred and even now her voice still rings in our ears as she cried out to the world to rescue her, Ayat was martyred and even now her voice still rings in our ears as she cried out to the world to rescue her, “Save us, save us, save us.” “Save us, save us, save us.” Ayat was martyred, but her voice still echoes in our ears because she was calling on everyone to rescue her until she was martyred. Ayat was martyred, but her voice still echoes in our ears because she was calling on everyone to rescue her until she was martyred. No one was able to rescue her from this criminal occupation, which targets civilians and anyone trying to bring the truth to light. No one was able to rescue her from this criminal occupation, which targets civilians and anyone trying to bring the truth to light. Ayat Khaddoura stayed in a refugee camp in North Gaza, giving voice to the North right up until the last moment of her life. Ayat Khadoura stayed in a refugee camp in North Gaza, giving voice to the North right up until the last moment of her life. The same was true of Heba al-Abadla, who kept sharing news on her own social media platforms until her final moment. The same was true of Heba al-Abadla, who kept sharing news on her own social media platforms until her final moment. Marwa Musallam, who was martyred a while ago, did the same thing. Marwa Musallam, who was martyred a while ago, did the same thing. She too kept appealing for help while trapped under the rubble. She too kept appealing for help while trapped under the rubble. What can we say about the journalists who’ve been martyred? What can we say about the journalists who’ve been martyred? What can we say about the journalists who’ve been martyred? What can we say about the journalists who’ve been martyred? It’s hard, so, so hard for us to talk about them. It’s hard, so, so hard for us to talk about them. It’s hard to document their lives. It’s hard to document their lives. Even if all we’re doing is trying to say simply who they were, what work they did... Even if all we’re doing is trying to say simply who they were, what work they did… It’s hard, very hard. It’s hard, very hard.
I hope they become immortal. I hope they become immortal. I hope their memory lives on, that we keep speaking about them. I hope their memory lives on, that we keep speaking about them. That we speak of their desperate efforts to expose the occupation’s crimes until their last moments, like Ayat, Heba, and Marwa Mussalam, and so many other women and men in the field. That we speak of their desperate efforts to expose the occupation’s crimes until their last moments, like Ayat, Heba, and Marwa Mussalam, and so many other women and men in the field.
For you, I don’t know what your role could be. For you, I don’t know what your role could be. It is important to save what remains of the Gaza Strip. It is important to save what remains of the Gaza Strip. It is vital to save the people who still remain in Gaza. It is vital to save the people who still remain in Gaza. The situation is very, very difficult. The situation is very, very difficult. Very, very, very difficult. Very, very, very difficult. There needs to be some kind of intervention so that we can keep going, so that journalists in Gaza can keep going. There needs to be some kind of intervention so that we can keep going, so that journalists in Gaza can keep going.
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مرحبا أنا الصحفية امل بريكة من قطاع غزة. Hello, I am the journalist Amal Brika from the Gaza Strip.
اليوم مطلوب مني انه أحكي عن زميلتي وصديقتي الصحفية الشهيدة مروة مسلم. Today I was asked to speak about my colleague and friend, the journalist, the martyr, Marwa Musallam. يعني لو طلبت مني أحكي عنها في وقت استشهادها، If you had asked me to speak about her at the time of her martyrdom, بصراحة ما كنت رح أقدر أحكي عنها كلمة. I wouldn't have been able to say a word. من كثر ما أنا كنت كثير متأثرة Because I was so affected by it, فاحتجت انه اتخطى خبر استشهاد مروة I needed to move past the news of Marwa’s martyrdom, الصادم بالنسبة لإلي، علشان أقدر أحكي عنها اليوم. which shocked me, in order to be able to speak about her today.
مروة هي زميلة وصديقة. Marwa is a colleague and a friend. تعرفت عليها من أكثر من أربع سنين في إذاعة الشباب. I got to know her over four years ago at Al-Shabab Radio. كنا زملاء عمل. We were colleagues. تعرفت عليها كزميلة في البداية ومن ثم اه يعني اصبحت علاقتنا ببعض قوية وصرنا اصدقاء I got to know her as a coworker at first, but then our relationship grew strong and we became friends. اه مروة تشتغل معنا في الإذاعة معدة ومقدمة برامج. Marwa worked with us at the radio station as a producer and program presenter. كان الها برنامج صباحي، وكان الها برنامج عن الصحة النفسية وبرنامج اجتماعي. She had a morning show, she had a program about mental health, and a social affairs program. وكانت كثير تنزل للميدان كمان. She was on the ground often, also. والأهم انه كان عندها برنامج مسابقات مع الأطفال. And most importantly, she had a competition show for children. الحلو في هذا البرنامج تحديدا انه The beautiful thing about this particular program is كبر القاعدة الجماهيرية بالنسبة لزميلتي وصديقتي مروة مسلم. that my friend and colleague Marwa Musallam's audience grew significantly. فأصبح هناك علاقة وطيدة بينها وبين الأطفال اللي كانوا بيتصلوا عليها يشاركوا في هذا البرنامج. who would call in to participate on the show. الحلو انه كنا نتفاجأ انه هذول الأطفال بيجوا هم وأهاليهم للإذاعة The best part was that we’d be surprised when these children, along with their families, would come to the radio station عشان يسلموا على مروة ويتعرفوا عليها. just to greet Marwa and meet her in person. في كثير من المرات كانت مروة، يعني، أول ما تسمع صوت المشارك، Many times, Marwa would recognize a contestant’s voice as soon as she heard it; بتعرف انه هذا مثلا علي، هذا أحمد، هذا محمد. she knew that this, for example, is Ali, this is Ahmad, this is Mohammad. يعني صارت بتميزهم من صوتهم ومن طريقة حديثهم معها. She came to distinguish them by their voices and the way they spoke with her. فكان هذا كثير اشي حلو لمسته في مروة الحنونة، الطيبة المعطاءة، الجميلة. This was something truly wonderful I noticed in compassionate, sweet, generous, beautiful Marwa.
مروة كانت كثير بتهتم بانها تكون أنيقة على الشاشة. Marwa cared a lot about looking elegant onscreen. رغم انه احنا إذاعة لكن بنطلع على الهواء مباشر صوت وصورة. Even though we are a radio station, we broadcast both audio and video live. فكانت كثير مروة تهتم بلبسها واكسسواراتها، So Marwa cared a lot about her clothes, accessories, بكثير من الشغلات اللي ممكن تظهرها بأحسن مظهر على الشاشة. and lots of other things that would make her look her best onscreen. وفعلا كانت تتميز بهذا الشيء ما بين زميلاتنا في الإذاعة، And indeed, this really made her stand out among our colleagues at the station, فكنت أحب هذا الشيء فيها. and I loved that about her. ولاحقا عرفت انه مروة بتهتم أو موهبتها الأزياء. Later, I learned that Marwa is interested in fashion — that she had a knack for it. فكانت تعلمت دورة تصميم الازياء وابدعت في هذا الاشي. She had taken a fashion design course and was excellent at it. تفاجأت انه هي تصمم ملابس بتصمم شغلات كثير جميلة. I was surprised that she designs clothes — really beautiful ones. حتى انه بعدها بفتره افتتحت زي محل صغير تحت بيتهم، Shortly after, she even opened a small shop under her home, وبلشت تمارس هوايتها في انها تصمم ملابس وتبلش تبيع وتعرض. pursuing her passion for designing clothes, and selling and displaying them. حتى أنا كنت بضحك معاها بحكيلها انه: I used to joke with her and tell her, «أول شغلة ممكن تعمليها مروة، هي لازم تكون لإلي». “Marwa, the first thing you make has to be for me.” فهي كانت تحكي لي «مرحبا بك أمل». She would tell me, “Of course, Amal” فكان يعني شعور حلو، انه أحس انه هي كمان يعني ما عندها مشكلة انها تهديني أول شغلة ممكن تصنعها. It was a nice feeling to think that she wouldn’t have a problem gifting me the first thing she might make. فهذا الحلم، للأسف يعني، لم يدم طويلا بسبب ظروف الحياة Unfortunately, her dream didn’t last very long because of life circumstances وظروف الحرب اللي أجت أو باغتتنا فجأة في ٧ أكتوبر. and the war that suddenly descended upon us, caught us off guard, on October 7th.
مروة، طبعا يعني، في بعد الحرب، أو قبل الحرب خلينا نحكي، Marwa, during the war, or actually before the war, انه والدها ووالدتها اضطروا للخروج من قطاع غزة بغرض العلاج. Marwa's father and mother had to leave the Gaza Strip for medical treatment. هون، مروة صفت هي وأخوتها معتز ومنتصر في قطاع غزة، At this point, Marwa and her brothers, Moataz and Montaser, were in Gaza, تحديدا في منطقة حي الشجاعية. specifically in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood. فكانت مروة يعني هي الأم والأب، Marwa was their mother and father; الأخت الكبيرة، الأخ الكبير اللي بتحمل المسؤوليات. the older sibling who bore all responsibilities. فكانت كثير تتحمل مسؤولية أخوتها، في انها توفر أكل، شرب، She carried a lot of responsibility for her siblings, providing food, drink, كثير من التفاصيل اللي كانوا يعانون منها حاليا سكان قطاع غزة. and a lot of the things that the people of the Gaza strip are struggling with right now. اضطرت في بداية الحرب مرة واحدة للنزوح إلى الجنوب، Once, at the beginning of the war, she was forced to flee to the South, فكانت هذه التجربة بالنسبة الها كثير سيئة. and this was a very difficult experience for her. واجهت صعوبات كثير فيها، She really struggled there, فاضطرت انها ترجع للأسف على منزلها في حي الشجاعية so she was forced to return to her home in Shuja'iyya قبل حوالي ٤٠ يوم. about 40 days ago. يعني كانت المنطقة هذه مصنفة بالخطر، فممنوع تبقى في مكانها. That area was classified as dangerous, so it was forbidden for her to stay there. مروة كانت، يعني، عنيدة في هذا الجانب. Marwa was stubborn in that regard. تقول لك «وين بدي أنزح؟ وين بدي أروح؟ خليني في بيتي، أحسن لي. She would say, “Where would I even go? It’s better for me to just stay in my home. يمكن يعني اليهود يتغاضوا عنا». Maybe, the Israelis would overlook us.” للأسف منطقتها تعرضت للخطر الشديد، Unfortunately her area was subjected to extreme danger: للحزامات النارية، اللي استمرت من الليل حتى الصباح. heavy nighttime fire belts that continued until morning. هون احنا فقدنا الإتصال بمروة. That was when we lost contact with Marwa. حاولنا نتصل فيها ونتواصل معها، نرن على رقمها، رقم أخوتها. We tried to call her and reach her; we’d ring her number and her brothers' numbers. ما حدش بيرد. No one would respond. كان عندنا أمل انه مروة لسه عايشة، We had hope that Marwa was still alive; وحتى بعد فقدان الإتصال فيها، كان عندنا أمل انها لسه عايشة. even after losing contact with her, we held onto hope that she was still alive. حاولنا التواصل مع الصليب الأحمر، We tried to contact the Red Cross مع المنظمات الي ممكن انه الجيش يسمح لهم بالدخول للمنطقة and organizations that the military might allow to enter the area, يعني يقدروا يتفقدوهم، so they could check on them, يشوفوهم عايشين، ميتين، أي شي، أي تفاصيل عنهم. see if they were alive or dead, or get any details about them, لانه احنا كنا كثير خايفين عليهم، because we were extremely worried about them, و كثير حابين نطمن عليهم ونعرف شو ظروفهم. and desperately needed to make sure they were okay, to know how they're doing. في المرة الأولى، يعني، بعد يمكن أكثر من شهر من فقدان الاتصال بهم، After more than a month had passed since we lost contact, ومع العلم انه احنا كنا، كأصدقائها وزملائها، we — her friends and colleagues — بنحاول انه نرسل ناس لهم حتى يطمنونا عليهم tried to send people to check on them… ومن خطورة الاشي ما حدا قدر يوصل لبيتهم. But no one could reach their home because of the danger.
بعد شهر عرفنا انه مروة استشهدت وانه في الهم جماجم. A month later, we found out that Marwa had been martyred, and that there were skulls belonging to them. هون احنا يعني فقدنا صوابنا. At that point, we lost our minds. أنا في هذا اليوم يعني انهرت. I fell apart that day. وصرت أبكي عليها، I wept for her; وانه أنا كنت حاطة كثير أمل انه مروة تكون عايشة. I had so much hope that Marwa was alive. ومع هيك، صرت أحكي Even then, I kept saying, «أنا مش متأكدة انه هي، أكيد يمكن حدا ثاني، يمكن هم طلعوا، ويمكن هم اعتقلوا». “I'm not sure it's her. Maybe it's someone else, maybe they left, maybe they were detained…” للأسف بعدها بفترة استطاعوا أقاربها انهم ينتشلون الجثث. Sadly, after a while, her relatives were able to retrieve the bodies. وللأسف كانت عبارة عن عظام وجماجم. But unfortunately, they found only bones and skulls. ما كنا حابين نشوف مروة بهذه الطريقة. We did not want to see Marwa like that. يعني أنا كنت عندي أمل، I had so much hope لدرجة انه ممكن تطلع هيك من تحت الأنقاض وتحكي، تمزح معنا to the point that I imagined she might come out from under the rubble and joke with us, saying «ولكو أنا عايشة، انتوا تفكروني متت». “Here I am, alive. You thought I was dead.” يعني أنا كنت هيك بتخيلها تطلع تحكي. I imagined her coming out and talking. فللأسف تم تأكيد الخبر وانهم هم استشهدوا. Sadly the news was confirmed and that it was they who had been martyred. خسارة كبيرة. A great loss.
مروة كان نفسي تحقق أحلامها وطموحاتها I had hoped that Marwa would achieve her dreams and ambitions: انها تصير مذيعة في قناة عربية، to become a presenter on an Arab channel أو تسافر زي ما كانت تحلم هي قبل الحرب. or to travel, just like she’d dreamed of doing before the war. جهزت جواز سفرها وكانت، يعني، بتتمنى انها تسافر، She prepared her passport and always hoped to travel, وكانت تسعى لهذا الشيء وأنا كنت مبسوطة معاها. was always working toward that goal, and I was happy for her. فكنت بحكيلها ممكن نسافر مع بعض هيك رحلة نغير جو. I used to tell her we would maybe take a trip together, have some fun. بس للأسف، يعني، فقدنا هذه الروح الجميلة المعطاءة. But unfortunately, we lost this beautiful, giving soul. مروة نزحت في الحرب مرة، ورجعت لبيتهم، Marwa was displaced once during the war and went back to their home; وكانت تعاني من الجوع ومن الخوف ومن الرعب ومن القصف ومن كثير تفاصيل. she suffered from hunger, fear, terror, bombardment, and so much more. وكانت بتحاول مرات كثير انها تهرب وترجع، وتهرب وترجع. She tried many times to flee and return, to flee and return. يعني هي كانت حياتها لمروة فترة بقائها في منزلهم When Marwa was staying at home, والحارة، ما كان فيها ناس كثير يادوب هم وعائلة واحدة. there was barely anyone left in her neighborhood besides them — just one other family. فكانوا بفضلوا انهم يظلهم في بيتهم وما يعانوا في النزوح. They preferred to stay in their home than suffer through displacement.
مروة للأسف، يعني، فصلت من عملها Marwa was unfortunately let go from her job, مثلي مثلها، مثل بقية الزملاء اللي انفصلوا من بداية الحرب. just like me and our other colleagues were laid off at the start of the war. من أول شهور الحرب فصلنا للأسف. We were laid off during the very first months of the war. وما كان عندها مصدر رزق بالمرة. She had absolutely no source of income. وما كان في اهتمام من الإدارة انه نخلي مروة، Management showed no concern for her situation, لانها هي أهلها مسافرين ويعني يرأفوا بحالتها. given that her parents had traveled; no compassion for her position. فكنا عاملين جروب على الواتس اب لأكثر من ٢٠ موظف تم فصلهم من الإذاعة. We had created a WhatsApp group for more than 20 employees who were laid off from the radio station. يعني من أول الحرب، From the very beginning of the war, كانت مروة صوتها عالي كثير Marwa was very vocal, وكانت تطالب معانا، انه لأ حقنا لازم يرجع ولازم ناخده. and she joined us in demanding that our rights be restored, that we must take them. وكان عنا شوية آليات ممكن أو اتخذناها مع مروة في البداية، Marwa and I had some strategies that we might have used علشان نقدر ناخد حقنا من الإذاعة to secure the rights we were owed by the radio station لفصلنا منها بشكل تعسفي ومش في وقته للأسف مع الحرب. which had laid us off arbitrarily and at the worst time given the war. فمروة صعدت للسماء بدون ما تاخذ حقها اللي انظلمت فيه. Marwa ascended to heaven never receiving what she was rightfully owed. واللي لهذا السبب فعليا، مروة ما قدرت تنزح لمكان آمن، That was precisely why Marwa couldn’t flee to a safe place; لانه ما معها فلوس، she had no money, لانه راتبها انقطع، لانه انفصلت من شغلها، ما في شغل. because her salary was cut off because she was laid off from her job. فكانت يعني، بتعاني من عدة شغلات ما مكنتها للأسف انها تنزح لمكان آمن. She was struggling with several things that, unfortunately, prevented her from evacuating to safety.
فكنا كثير خايفين منها. We were very worried about her. فمنقلها «يا مروة، إذا في مجال انك تطلعي من بيتك، يعني لمكان آمن…» We would tell her, "Marwa, if there is any way you can leave your home for a safe place...’ تحكي «ما تقلقوا علي. She would say, “Don't worry about me. أنا وقت ما أحس انه في خطر علينا، رح اشرد من البيت بدون ما اخذ أي شيء». The moment I sense danger is upon us, I’ll flee the house without taking anything.” واحنا توقعنا هذا الاشي، انه أول ما تحس انه في خطر تشرد هي وأخواتها. And we expected that she would indeed flee with her siblings as soon as she sensed danger. لكن للأسف هي ما قدرت. But sadly, she couldn't. يعني كان الليلة هذه اللي فقدنا الاتصال فيها، كانت يعني صعبة. That night, the night we lost contact with her, was difficult. وبقيت في منزلها. She remained in her home.
على الصعيد المهني، مروة كانت، يعني، بتحب شغلها كثير Professionally, Marwa loved her work very much, وكانت بتيجي على الدوام على موعده وتغادر على الموعد. and she would come to work on time and leave on time. ما بتذكر مروة في يوم من الأيام اضطرت انها تغيب. I don't recall a single day Marwa was absent. ولو اضطرت إنها تغيب، Even if she did have to be absent, لو كان عندها برنامج بتكون محضرة الحلقة قبل بيوم سجلها. if she had a show, she’d have prepared the episode a day before and recorded it. فكان هذا الشغل، يعني، هذه الشغلة كثير حلوة في مروة. That was a beautiful quality of Marwa’s. انها بتحب شغلها لدرجة انه She loved her job so much ما تحسس انه الزملاء أو الإدارة انه في خلل في شغلها. that she wouldn't let colleagues or management feel there was any lapse in her work. فكانت بتقدمه على أكمل وجه من قبل بيوم. She would deliver her work to perfection, a day in advance. فكانت كثير حريصة انها تتطور وتنافس وتكون قوية بشغلها، She was deeply committed to growth and competition, strengthening her work, وتاخذ دورات، وتهتم بكثير من التفاصيل أو العمل. taking courses, and paying attention to every detail. فيعني هذا الشيء اللي كنت أحبه فيها. That was what I loved most about her.
كنا كثير بنوقف، هيك في زاوية معينة، ونحكي عن أحلامنا وعن طموحاتنا. We would often stand in a corner and talk about our dreams and ambitions. وكنت أشاركها أحلامي وطموحاتي، وشو كنت بحب وشو كنت بحلم، I would share my dreams and ambitions with her, what I loved and longed for, وهي نفس الاشي. and she would do the same. كانت بتحكيلي عن شو نفسها تصير، She would tell me about who she wanted to become, و لوين بدها تروح، where she wanted to go, و لوين بدها تتطور. and how she wanted to develop. فمرة من المرات كنت، نظرا لتشابه البرامج بيني وبينها والضيوف، بحكيلها One time, because our programs and guests were similar, I told her, «مروة أنا كثير مزنوقة بحدا، بدي ضيف». Marwa, I'm really stuck, I need a guest. فما كانت تتردد بالمرة، لدرجة هي اللي تعمل الاتصال She didn’t hesitate for a second, to the point that she even made the call herself وتنسق مع الضيف يجي معي على الحلقة. and coordinated with a guest to come on my episode. فما عندها مشكلة أبدا انها تساعد أي حدا. She was always willing to help anyone. وفي الحرب فعلا كانت بتحب تساعد الناس وبدون ما حدا يعرف. During the war, she genuinely loved to help people, without anyone knowing. كانت تقدم يد العون للناس رغم ظروفها الصعبة. She would extend a helping hand to people despite her own difficult circumstances. ورغم انه والدها ووالدتها مش موجودين معهم موجودين الآن في مصر Even though her father and mother were not with them — they were in Egypt — وكانت هي السد المنيع وشجاعة والبطلة والأيقونة. she was an impregnable fortress, brave, a hero, an icon.
أنا كان نفسي الحرب تخلص واحتفل فيها وأحكي انه I had wanted the war to end so I could celebrate with her and say, «هذه زميلتي وصديقتي الصحفية مروة مسلم: “This is my colleague and friend, the journalist Marwa Musallam: شجاعة، أيقونة، اتحملت كثير علشان هي تحافظ على نفسها وعلى أخواتها». the courageous icon who endured so much to protect herself and her siblings.” بس للأسف يعني، مروة راحت، وما حتى قدرنا نودعها أو نشوفها. But Marwa is gone, and we couldn’t even say goodbye or see her. شفناها بس عظام. We only saw her bones. فكان هذا الشيء اللي أثر علي أنا، انه مروة آخرتك أشوفك، يعني، عظام. This is what affected me the most: that in the end, this was how I saw you, Marwa — as just bones. يا الله. Ya Allah.
الله يرحمك يا مروة. May God have mercy on you, Marwa. كثير رح اشتاق لك، كثير. I'm going to miss you so, so much. رح اشتاق للتفاصيل اللي نحكيها مع بعضنا. I'm going to miss the little details we shared together. كان نفسي يعني أشوفك I really wanted to see you لاني كثير مشتاقة لك. because I miss you so much. و مشتاقة لروحك، و مشتاقة أحضنك وأضمك. I miss your spirit. I miss hugging you and hugging you. يا رب تكوني في مكان أحسن، I pray to God that you're in a better place, مكان في راحة أكثر يا مروة a more comfortable place, Marwa — يا بطلة يا شجاعة إن شاء الله. you hero, you courageous one, Inshallah. يا رب تكوني في مكان أحسن. I pray you are in a better place. مع السلامة يا مروة. Goodbye, Marwa.