I Am Not a Number

Illustrated by Veronica Petrie. Copyright: October, 2025 (32 pages).

A collection of seven articles, written by Nour Abo Aisha and published in leading media outlets throughout 2025. The titles of these writings correspond to the twists and turns of Apartheid Israel’s genocidal tyranny in Gaza, which Nour and her family endured.

Letter to the Reader

Dear Readers,

My name is Nour Abo Aisha. I am a writer and a survivor of multiple massacres since the beginning of the war on Gaza. I know, intimately, the cost of survival. I’ve tried to shape the pain of staying alive into letters and articles, because I believe writing holds a kind of magic—a way to heal the human spirit. But how does one get rid of the sorrow of their time and place? For over two and a half years, I’ve been trying to survive. When will I finally rest, breathe, and simply live?

In these writings, I carry my own voice and the voices of others in Gaza. In these images, I capture my eyes, and the eyes of others in Gaza. I tell my story, because words endure, even as we fade. Each piece I write feels like the labor of birthing a lived experience, wrenching my soul. And yet, I write. I do not surrender. Perhaps these words will touch your heart. Still, I ask myself again and again: how did I live through all of this?

Please, don’t forget me. I am searching for a sliver of hope to live by. I write, I sing, I hum—while missiles roar above my head. I am not a number. I dream of living, like you do. I dream of having a family on a land of peace.

Warm regards,

Nour

Get Your Copy

Zines are available by donation, with all profits going directly to the authors.

To receive a zine:

  • Click on the author’s name to be directed to their personal fundraiser and make your donation.

    Nour's Fundraiser

  • Email proof of donation to coastallinespress@gmail.com.

    • For a digital zine (PDF): we’ll send the file to your inbox.

    • For a print zine (hard copy): include in your email the number of copies you’d like and your delivery address, and we’ll send them by post.

    • For translated editions: inquire if the zine is available in your language. Some zines have English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, or Spanish translations.