al-Sheik Layla

Layla al-Sheikh is a Palestinian mother living in Bethlehem, in the West Bank. Her life was marked by a tragic loss in 2002, when her six-month-old son, Qussay, fell ill. According to reports, Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for over five hours. As a result of this delay, Qussay died shortly afterward due to the lack of timely medical care.

Despite the immense pain and devastation caused by the loss of her son, Layla never sought revenge. Instead, she chose a different path, dedicating her time and energy to building a better and more peaceful future for her children.

In 2016, Layla joined the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF). As a member of this organization, she is among those who “have paid the highest price for the conflict” but who “have chosen to take a stand for peace.” Layla is described as inspiring and courageous. Through the PCFF, she has the opportunity to speak personally about her lost child and to explain why she chose this path of reconciliation.