Children of Al-Aqsa Appeal

Homes Turned into Prisons

Many Palestinian children, particularly those in Jerusalem, are being detained or placed under house arrest by authorities. Under the law, children as young as 12 can face criminal charges and punishment.

House arrests effectively transform homes into prisons and is often considered more severe than actual imprisonment. Children are confined to their homes while family members are made responsible for enforcing the restrictions. This places enormous strain on families and creates constant tension within the household.

The psychological and social effects on children are devastating.

For many children, this turns their homes into another kind of prison, causing:

• Severe emotional trauma
• Isolation and loneliness
• Interrupted education
• Loss of safety and identity

A Palestinian child under house arrest shared:

Before the house arrest, I was particularly fond of watches… But after that, the watch attached to my foot destroyed my time and controlled the area I could move in. I no longer wear a watch on my hand, I thought one on my foot was enough.

How Muslim Aid are Helping

Muslim Aid, is on the ground working to create safe learning and creative spaces for children under house arrest to encourage self-expression, continuation of learning and coping with trauma.

The programme will:

• Support youth currently under house arrest in Jerusalem
• Provide creative writing workshops
• Offer reading, discussion and educational activities, building critical thinking and encouraging identity, culture and resilience
• Provide trauma support for both children and their families
• Share their voices by compiling the children’s work into a booklet and producing a short documentary to amplify their experience

If circumstances change and we cannot deliver the program anymore, donations will support other vulnerable children across Palestine.