An independent journal
Under the Haik

Rooted in faith, shaped by heritage

Personal Essays

Dad, My Refuge

A birthday letter to my father, to the child he once was, and to the quiet love that shaped the woman I have become.

3 min read · English
Three animated scenes of a father in a white suit playing with his young daughter in a pink dress
Personal Essays

To You, My Father

A birthday poem for my father, my refuge and role model, whose love stays with me wherever I am.

1 min read · English
Painting of a father carrying his daughter on his shoulders as she reaches towards a yellow star
Personal Essays

The Red Bicycle

A childhood memory of a red bicycle, a determined little girl and a father watching from the window.

2 min read · English
A red bicycle against an ochre wall, with red flowers trailing over its rear wheel
Personal Essays

My Sister

A birthday tribute to my big sister: my first defender, my guide, and the person who always knew what to do.

5 min read · English
Two smiling anime characters with butterfly and pink-and-green hair details, sharing a joyful moment
Personal Essays

Algeria, Beyond a Single Label

A personal reflection on Algeria’s layered identity, and why embracing its history should not mean choosing just one part of it.

1 min read · English
An illustration of whitewashed coastal houses, an olive branch and the Mediterranean Sea