Yelle Allah Katbo (What God Wrote) is a deeply personal exploration of my mother's journey from Syria to America—her early marriage, forced relocation, and eventual escape—all told through the voices of the women in my family. This 9.25" x 11.5" hardcover book is read from right to left, honoring the traditional format of Arabic books. While unfamiliar to English readers, this decision was intentional: to create a sense of comfort, authenticity, and cultural recognition for my family, who navigate both Arabic and English worlds.

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The book is encased in a green leather-bound cover, screen printed in gold with the phrase “What God Wrote ‘Will Happen’”—a nod to the cultural phrase often used to explain fate. Inside, it features a layered material experience, combining 80 lb glossy coated paper and delicate 30 lb translucent sheets to mirror the fragile yet enduring nature of memory, displacement, and resilience.

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Each spread weaves together photographs from my interviews and translated quotes that highlight pivotal moments of conversation, forming a visual and emotional narrative about migration, motherhood, and survival. Yelle Allah Katbo is both an archive and an offering—designed for my family, by one of their own.

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(2025)