Social media platforms have been circulating a poignant song by young Zain Abu Daqas, son of Al Jazeera photographer Samer Abu Daqas, who was martyred last Friday in the Gaza Strip. In his song, the child Zain expresses his deep longing for his father, who was working in Gaza while his family resides in Belgium. Two years ago, Zain included the touching lyrics, “Daddy, how much I miss you… the separation torments me,” unaware of the cruel fate the future held.
Zain gained popularity on social media platforms after his performance of “Sheddo Ba’adkum ya Ahl Palestine” (Unite O people of Palestine), which has seen widespread popularity recently. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Zain’s elder brother Yazan mentioned that the news of their father’s martyrdom was extremely hard on the family who has been facing a difficult time since the tragic announcement. At the same time, Yazan conveyed a sense of pride in his father’s martyrdom, achieved while diligently fulfilling his duties. He noted that his father’s last call to him was the day before his martyrdom, in which he asked Yazan to take care of his siblings as he had done every day since they parted.
Samer Abu Daqas, a father of three sons and a daughter, born in 1978 and a resident of Abasan Al-Kabira near Khan Yunis, joined Al Jazeera in June 2004, working as a cameraman and video editor. He was martyred while covering the Israeli shelling of the Farhana school in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. Wounded by shrapnel from a missile fired by an Israeli drone, Abu Daqas lay bleeding and surrounded near the school for about six hours, with the ambulance unable to reach him due to his injuries.
Child’s Heartfelt Tribute to His Father Goes Viral After Tragic Loss in Gaza
The digital world was recently captivated by the voices of childhood innocence and longing as social media echoed with the heartfelt song of Zain Abu Daqas, the young son of the recently martyred Samer Abu Daqas, an Al Jazeera photographer. In an old recording, the child’s voice waded through the sorrow of separation with words that now hold a profound significance for listeners around the globe.
Zain, who resides in Belgium far from the frontlines of Gaza where his father fulfilled his role as a journalist, articulated a universally recognized emotion in his song: the profound yearning for a parent’s presence. “Daddy, how much I miss you… the separation torments me,” Zain sang, unaware of the poignant reality that these words would later encompass.
This song, alongside the stirring “Sheddo Ba’adkum ya Ahl Palestine” (“Unite O people of Palestine”), propelled young Zain to social media recognition, resonating with many who heard his voice. As the story unfolded with Zain’s father’s martyrdom under tragic circumstances, a narrative of pride and resilience emerged from the depths of the family’s sorrow.
Yazan, Zain’s elder brother, in his testament to Al Jazeera, revealed the difficulty the family has faced since learning of their irreplaceable loss. Yet, amidst the grief, there resided a powerful sense of honor in their father’s ultimate sacrifice for the truth. Held in the highest esteem for his integrity, Samer Abu Daqas continued to instill familial values until his last communication, entrusting Yazan with the well-being of the siblings.
Martyr Samer Abu Daqas leaves behind a legacy not just as a committed journalist who captured the stark realities of life in Gaza but also as a devoted father. His passing is a somber reflection of the risks borne by journalists worldwide and the uncompromising spirit of those who stand steadfast amid the most dangerous of circumstances. As the melodies of a child’s love for his father continue to spread, so too does the story of Samer Abu Daqas – a tale of longing, resilience, and undying familial bonds.
