'Jerusalem lost part of its soul': Tributes to Afro-Palestinian leader flow online
Social media users from around the globe are paying tribute this week to journalist and activist Mousa Qous, a long-time prominent figure in Jerusalem's Afro-Palestinian community.
Mousa was the executive director of the African Community Society in the Old City of Jerusalem. Much of his life was dedicated to the Palestinian cause and highlighting the often-overlooked experience of Afro-Palestinians.
He died due to a fire in his home on 9 February and is survived by his wife Joharah and his children, Mohammad and Shaden.
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An article he wrote for Skin Deep Magazine has been heavily circulated since the news of his death, in which he wrote about the history and nuanced experience of Afro-Palestinians.
"It is a very specific experience, existing both as an overlooked part of a city’s history and as a persecuted community within a persecuted community," he wrote.
In it, he also interviewed his daughter, 22-year-old Birzeit law student Shaden, who is also very active in the community.
“Israeli forces do not treat the Afro-Palestinian community with humanity,” she said. "[They] refer to us with the term koshi [Hebrew for ‘Negro’], while the local Palestinian community calls me samra [Arabic for ‘Dark woman’]. I am always reminded of my colour and that I am different."
Shaden, who is also an American citizen, has been very vocal about the Palestinian cause despite Israel's continuous crackdown on pro-Palestine content online. Israel arrested her on 6 January on charges of "incitement" for social media posts, delaying her release until 10 February – just hours after her father's burial was completed.
⭕ From the reunion of freed Shaden Qaws with her family after enduring zionist torture camps without trial or charge.
— Palestine Captives 𓂆 (@Palestinecapti1) February 9, 2025
Granted bail this evening, she returned home only to find her father’s funeral had already taken place after Salat al-Zuhr, denying her a final farewell. https://t.co/bfC6UjIVlm pic.twitter.com/PQYXornN1h
There were also reports that Israeli forces stormed the Qous household while many were gathered in mourning, and detained Mousa's brother, Nasser, the head of the Palestinian Prisoner's Club.
'Pillar of Afro-Palestinian community'
After the news of Mousa's abrupt death was announced, those who knew him paid tribute to the life and work of the Afro-Palestinian leader.
Journalist, academic, and activist Marc Lamont Hill, who has focused on Black and Palestinian solidarity, said that he was “crushed” by the news of his friend.
“A son of Jerusalem’s African Quarter, Mousa has always been a visionary leader, beloved brother, and courageous warrior for Palestinian liberation. Personally, Mousa was my dear friend and treasured comrade. I’m forever grateful for his wisdom, kindness, and generosity.”
Academic and author Rula Jebreal, who is a cousin of Qous, said that the Afro-Palestinian community "mourns the tragic loss of a remarkable leader, a brilliant journalist and a cherished mentor".
I’m gutted, my cousin Mousa Qous died, while his beloved daughter, Shadin, languishes unjustifiably in an Israeli torture center dungeon.
— Rula Jebreal (@rulajebreal) February 9, 2025
Our Afro-Palestinian community mourns the tragic loss of a remarkable leader, a brilliant journalist and a cherished mentor. https://t.co/O4WrOH7e6V pic.twitter.com/E2KCpD5hCr
Electronic Intifada's Ali Abunimah said that Jerusalem "has lost part of its soul" with the death of Mousa, adding that the timing of Shaden's release was "particularly cruel".
"It is particularly cruel, but not surprising, that the occupier initially refused to allow his imprisoned daughter Shaden Qous out of its dungeons even to bid farewell to her father".
From Gaza, Bisan Owda posted online that Mousa was a "treasure" that she "had the honour" of interviewing him when she visited Jerusalem for the first time in January 2023.
She posted the conversation they had to her nearly five million Instagram followers.
Many of those who have spent time with Mousa have had similar observations of his character, saying he had a "gentleness" to his presence.
"Crushed to hear the tragic passing of Mousa Qous, Abu Mohammed, which I learned to know during my ten years of daily life in Jerusalem. A very gentle person, hinged in the place he belonged to in the Old City of Jerusalem, close to the Haram al Sharif," journalist Paola Caridi posted on X.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mousa Qous. He was a true leader and pillar of the Afro-Palestinian community in occupied Jerusalem. I had the privilege of meeting him during my visit there, and I was struck by his warmth and hospitality. My condolences to his… https://t.co/LLmbCESMgd pic.twitter.com/0bZSzrGjK0
— Abdirahman Tigey (@dhuludug) February 10, 2025
"He was a true leader and pillar of the Afro-Palestinian community in occupied Jerusalem," one social media user posted alongside pictures of Mousa. "I had the privilege of meeting him during my visit there, and I was struck by his warmth and hospitality. My condolences to his family and the entire community."
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