On a sunny late-February morning, a dozen young girls still in uniform have just arrived in a school bus. They hardly talk, carefully scrutinizing each of the 100 stands each displaying an object that belonged to those who died during the first months of the uprising. The shaheed's name and picture are displayed above a clear plastic box displaying an item key-chain, bottle of perfume or hat that was once dear to a man, a boy or woman. The exhibit celebrates life rather than the violent death these 100 shaheed were destined to meet. Designed by Palestinian artist Samir Salameh, the display's simplicity is overwhelming.
Candles light the rooms with subtle warmth.
The shaheeds' objects are neatly wrapped in thin threads of straw, telling a compelling story of lives suspended in time. A delicately embroidered abaya, a favorite headscarf and a worn green dress all serve as reminders of those killed while they were in the privacy of their homes or as simple bystanders. It was a fate shared by many. Others did meet their death at checkpoints, going willingly to fight an often trigger-happy army. Some were abducted and killed by Israeli settlers, others were shot trying to rescue the wounded.