Ramallah -
The assassination of Al-Jazeera correspondent in Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh, on May 11 was not a passing event in the diaries of the Palestinian street, despite its accustomedness to the conduct of the convoys of martyrs;
Rather, the name of the late journalist turned into an icon for the various Palestinian components, and became the title of many initiatives.
A painting of the martyr Shireen Abu Aqleh in the center of Ramallah (Al-Jazeera)
constant presence
Although 100 days have passed since she was targeted, during her coverage of the Israeli army's storming of Jenin refugee camp, in the northern West Bank, Sherine's photos still dominate social networks, and the personal addresses of many activists and fans of the late journalist;
Indeed, several Palestinian families in Gaza and the West Bank named the martyr after their daughters, whose birth date coincided with the assassination of Shireen.
In his follow-up to the activities aimed at immortalizing Shireen's name, Omar Nazzal, a member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, says that Shireen has gained a popular space that no Palestinian journalist has enjoyed during the past three decades.
Sherine's personality and love of the press
Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Nazzal attributed this to the combination of several factors that were reflected in the events aimed at immortalizing her memory, and said that the main factor for what she had obtained was due "primarily to the personality of Sherine with all that she represents as a professional journalist working on Al Jazeera and a case owner."
He added that the other factor in "the state of wide popular solidarity" with Shirin is related to the Palestinians' love of the profession of journalism, as well as the circumstances of Shirin's martyrdom at the gates of Jenin camp, which "given the issue different dimensions."
According to Nazzal, the various factors combined "in favor of the situation in which Sherine emerged as an icon, and the accompanying popular, humanitarian and national solidarity that was expressed by dozens of events and names."
Mahmoud Fatafta, a lecturer at Al-Quds University, is preparing a book on the biography of Sherine Abu Aqleh (Al-Jazeera)
A book about the martyr
Professor of Mass Communication at Al-Quds University, Mahmoud Fatafta, is preparing a book on Sherine's biography, entitled "Shirin Abu Aqleh... From Birth to Martyrdom."
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, he revealed that his author deals with Sherine's biography, her professional experience, and the interaction with her martyrdom.
And about the interest that Shireen received after her martyrdom, Fatafta says that this is due to several reasons, including that she is a "martyr" and the martyrdom is a symbolic rooted in Palestinian culture.
Sherine is close to people
He added that among the reasons was "the scene of death and the situation of her falling to the ground" at the moment she was targeted, in addition to the place of her martyrdom in a camp that represents a symbol of the Palestinian revolution and resistance.
He added that Sherine's fame - as an Arab journalist working on the most important Arab and international channel - had a role in the attention she received on the street.
The media researcher draws attention to the effect of Shireen's interest in people's issues and her proximity to them, on her taking a place in their hearts.
super bullets
An investigation by Al-Jazeera revealed the image of the bullet that killed journalist Abu Aqila, and military experts indicated that the bullets used were of the armor-piercing type.
The investigation showed a re-simulation using 3D technology, to learn more about the type of bullet used, its caliber, and the type of guns likely to be used to fire this type of bullets.
Investigations by the media and international bodies also showed a result identical to the investigation carried out by Al Jazeera.
And Washington announced, after reviewing two separate investigations - conducted by the Israeli army and the Palestinian Authority, in addition to the forensic analysis - that Shirin was most likely killed by shooting from the site of the Israeli army.
The Palestinian Authority held Israel fully responsible for the assassination of Abu Aqila, and said that it would pursue the case before the Criminal Court, considering that Israel was responsible for her killing.
Sherine's commemoration activities
In the following, we review the most prominent Palestinian initiatives to commemorate the memory of the martyr Shireen Abu Akleh:
Ramallah Municipality unveils a monument bearing the image of the martyr Shireen and an overview of her, and inaugurates a street bearing her name next to the office of Al-Jazeera channel, in the center of the city.
In the town of Deir Sharaf (west of the city of Nablus), the people erected a monument in the name of Shireen Abu Aqleh on the street leading to Jenin governorate;
Sherine, in her last Facebook stories, published her last trip to the city to cover the incursions of the occupation, and wrote "On the way to Jenin" without knowing that the road would be named after her.
The municipality of Bani Suhaila (east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip) inaugurated “Shirin Abu Aqleh Square” in memory of the late journalist.
In the city of Salfit (in the northern West Bank), a summer camp called Shirin was held, which was witnessed in summer camps for children and young people in several areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Al-Quds University inaugurated a portal in the name of journalist Abu Aqila, and launched an educational grant to "in memory of the martyr and her honorable career in transmitting the Palestinian voice to the whole world."
The Arab American University in Jenin has announced a scholarship called the “Sherine Abu Akleh Scholarship in Digital Media” for undergraduate studies.
Birzeit University launched the "Sherine Abu Aqleh Award for Media Excellence", an annual award targeting Palestinian journalists, and aims to stimulate creativity and qualitative media work that deals with the story of Palestine, in addition to the "Martyr Sherine Abu Aqleh Scholarship for Academic Excellence in the Field of Journalism and Media" for one of its students.
At the Peace Center in Bethlehem, an exhibition "At a Walking Distance" was held in honor of the spirit of journalist Abu Akleh.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate launched an inaugural screening of the documentary film "Shirin".
It also announced the launch of the "Sherine Abu Aqleh International Foundation for Supporting Women Journalists" in coordination with the International Federation of Journalists, and it will work to support and empower women journalists in Palestine, the Arab world and the world, and allocate an annual award in its name.
On the official level, the Ministry of Women's Affairs organized a memorial ceremony for the martyred journalist, sponsored by President Mahmoud Abbas.
On many murals throughout Palestine, pictures of Shireen Abu Akleh were painted with slogans written that included the martyr's sayings in her reports.