J.K. Rowling Sends a Message of Love to Children in Aleppo

J.K. Rowling is known for her charitable ways and her grounded disposition, but her interaction with a child of war-torn Syria had us in tears.

It all started when Fatemah, the mother of a child called Bana living in Aleppo, tweeted Jo with a message of love for the series that brought you here:

Hi @jk_rowling I watched Harry Potter movie, Bana would like to read the book.- Fatemah #Aleppo

— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 21, 2016

J.K. Rowling herself replied:

@AlabedBana Bana, I hope you do read the book, because I think you’d like it. Sending you lots and lots of love xxx

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016

Somebody took to Twitter to comment on the gravity of the current situation in Aleppo, hoping that J.K. Rowling realised the resources and courage it took to appeal so publicly:

@jk_rowling @AlabedBana miss rowling you know that Bana is in East aleppo syria ?? occupied area and thy need ? thy can’t go n buy no shops

— Missguppy (@missguppy1) November 21, 2016

Of course, Jo responded – what could she do to send a book and share a small message of love that’s proven to bring light to so many lives?

@missguppy1 @AlabedBana I do know that, sadly. I would love to send Bana a book if I could. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016

That’s when Neil Blair, Jo’s agent, stepped in:

@jk_rowling @missguppy1 @AlabedBana Bana, I work for Jo. Would you be able to read an eBook? If so I’d be happy to get a copy over to you.

— Neil Blair (@NeilBlairTBP) November 21, 2016

Jo immediately took to Twitter to get the ball rolling – literature may not seem like a lot, but we spread what joy we can, what love we can, and this message of hope brought all of us to our senses – what can we all do to help those around us?

@NeilBlairTBP @missguppy1 @AlabedBana Brilliant idea, Neil, I’ve been obsessing over this all morning! — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016

Bana sent a message of thanks, which had us blubbering (we’re not ashamed):

My friend @jk_rowling how are you? Thank you for the book, love you from #Aleppo. – Bana pic.twitter.com/c84b4Zux0G

— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 23, 2016

Hello my friend @jk_rowling, I started reading your books now, my heart is for you. Thank you. – Bana #Aleppo #StandWithAleppo pic.twitter.com/MHtOIFzwuI

— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 24, 2016

J.K. Rowling responded – we’re so happy Bana gets to share in the comfort of the wizarding world, we only wish her current situation wasn’t so dire:

Bana, this made me so happy! Lots of love to you and your brothers! #StandWithAleppohttps://t.co/ODTivIs5EZ

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 24, 2016

Love you too, Bana! Thinking of you, keep safe #Aleppo https://t.co/1l5SJPStEm

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 23, 2016

Unfortunately, the story took a turn for the worst – however, it’s important to realise that this isn’t fiction, this isn’t just a story or a character, this is the reality for children, families, men and women every day in Aleppo. Whether they have stories we know and love on their minds or not, we must keep them in our minds and our hearts.

J.K. Rowling retweeted messages from Bana, her mother, and the BBC to remind us of the current situation. Many of us cannot imagine such horrors, and yet for so many this terror has become everyday – we’re horrified: 

The army got in, this could be our last days sincerely talking. No Internet. Please please please pray for us.- Fatemah #Aleppo

— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 27, 2016

Last message – under heavy bombardments now, can’t be alive anymore. When we die, keep talking for 200,000 still inside. BYE.- Fatemah — Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 27, 2016

Syrian government forces retake second rebel-held district in eastern Aleppo – military sources https://t.co/rOmUgDw03w

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) November 27, 2016

Tonight we have no house, it’s bombed & I got in rubble. I saw deaths and I almost died. – Bana #Aleppo pic.twitter.com/arGYZaZqjg — Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 27, 2016

We are so glad the Harry Potter stories reached Bana, and we reach out to all those being impacted by war, hatred and terror with love, and only love. We urge you to consider donating to UNICEF’s Syria appeal if you are able, or to spread a message of love and unity in any way you can. This fandom aims to stop wars by spreading love, through words, stories, music, film, donations, crafts or just plain emotion – J.K. Rowling’s actions – however small you may consider them – have inspired us to pay more attention, be givers – not takers  (as Queenie suggested!), and spread light in horrific darkness.

We hope this message finds you safe, and if not, please know that The Leaky Cauldron is here, and we care.