WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Learn more about Beauty Beneath the Rubble

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational platform that aims to re-shape the narrative about conflict-stricken countries. Our purpose is to highlight and preserve the rich heritage, history, and culture of countries facing war and conflict. Through the power of storytelling and art, we explore these countries at their best and share it with the world to:

Humanize people and places commonly associated conflict
Address xenophobia against refugees and displaced people
Increase the level of diversity in children’s books
Fight back against today’s negative, sensationalist news cycle

We know that stories have transformative power. If we change the narrative, we can change the world.

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OUR DEBUT PROJECT

Learn more about The Adventures of Laila and Ahmed

The core of Beauty Beneath the Rubble is the children’s book series The Adventures of Laila and Ahmed.

The first book takes place in Syria, and follows the adventures of two children through the cities and sites of pre-war Syria. Illustrated by a Syrian oil painter, the book showcases a different side of the country. Like many places facing war and conflict, Syria has a long and rich heritage, and has been home to several civilizations. Laila and Ahmed’s journey brings this history to the forefront in all of its beauty and complexity.

Our readers will decide where Laila and Ahmed’s next adventure takes place, selecting another conflict-stricken country to explore, treasure, and share.

As a registered 501(c)(3), all proceeds from our books will be used toward creating additional educational materials and supporting displaced refugees.

Watch our behind the scenes video showcasing our book project.

THE DREAMERS BEHIND THE BOOK

Learn more about the creators of The Adventures of Laila and Ahmed in Syria

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nushin Alloo

Nushin Alloo is a global strategist, writer, and former U.S. diplomat. Born in California, she has lived abroad in Egypt, Lebanon, India, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria. She was inspired to write The Adventures of Laila and Ahmed in Syria after the start of the Syrian civil war, while working with the country's displaced refugees in Jordan and Greece.

Nushin wrote this book as part of Beauty Beneath the Rubble, a project to help change the narrative of places associated with conflict through the power of storytelling and art. She wants her child and others to learn about and appreciate the beautiful cultures and historical monuments that are vanishing in many conflict areas. Nushin holds master’s degrees in Arabic from the University of Maryland and University of Damascus, as well as an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn more about Nushin’s journey here

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Shadia Kassem

Shadia Kassem is an accomplished illustrator, painter, and artist. Born and raised in Syria, Shadia graduated with a degree in art from the University of Damascus and currently lives in Kuwait with her husband and two children. Shadia's paintings have been exhibited in both Syria and Germany. Her enchanting and detailed illustrations fill the pages of The Adventures of Laila and Ahmed in Syria. Despite her passion for her heritage and culture, Shadia's own children have not had the opportunity to see their homeland due to the civil war. Shadia hopes that through her illustrations, her children and many others can share her love and appreciation for Syria's beauty and culture.

Learn more about Shadia’s story here

MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND PLACES EXPERIENCED IN SYRIA

Click below to learn about the places, people, and food Laila and Ahmed experienced in Syria.

"...Go back as far as you will into the vague past, there was always a Damascus. To Damascus years are only moments, decades are only flitting trifles of time. She measures time not by days, months and years, but by the empires she has seen rise and prosper and crumble to ruin. She is a type of immortality. She saw Greece rise and flourish two thousand years, and die. In her old age she saw Rome built, she saw it overshadow the world with its power; she saw it perish.... She has looked upon the dry bones of a thousand empires and will see the tombs of a thousand more before she dies.” –Mark Twain

SYRIA

Often called the Cradle of Civilization, Syria’s history dates to that of the first civilized man. A country of fertile plains, mountains, and desserts, Syria was home to countless empires. It was once the center of the Islamic Empire and survived many invasions and occupations over the ages from the Romans, Mongols, Crusaders, and Turks.

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DAMASCUS

Legend has it that on a journey from Mecca, the Muslim Prophet Mohammed cast his gaze from the mountainside onto Damascus but refused to enter the city because he wanted to enter paradise only once – after death.

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IBN BATTUTA

Ibn Battuta (1304-1368) was a 14th century Moroccan-born traveler who traveled over 75,000 miles in 30 years, at a time when airplanes did not exist and the main mode of transportation was camel or horse. This was more than any other traveler of his time, including Marco Polo.

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OLD DAMASCUS

The old city of Damascus lies on the bank of the now dry River Barada, enclosed by old city walls. It is romantic a maze of alleys filled with lovely arches, bazaars, street vendors, coffeehouses, mosques with fountain courtyards, churches, and a historic Jewish quarter.

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PALMYRA

Located about 150 miles from Damascus (or four days' journey by camel), Palmyra was a trade outpost between the Phoenician and Mesopotamian civilizations.

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UMAYYAD MOSQUE

The Umayyad Mosque, also known as The Great Mosque of Damascus, is one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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QUEEN ZENOBIA

Queen Zenobia was a legendary and beloved woman who ruled an ancient empire of Palmyra. In 270 Zenobia launched an invasion and conquered much of Rome and Egypt.

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SOUQ AL-HAMIDIYAH

Al-Hamidiyah Souq is Syria’s largest and central souq, located inside the old walled city of Damascus. In 2005, the souq was one of the treasures featured in the BBC series Around the World in 80 Treasures by Dan Cruickshank, in which Cruickshank visits 80 of the world’s greatest manmade treasures.

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SYRIAN BEDOUINS

Bedouins are age-old tribally-organized communities that herd livestock (primarily sheep and goat) and traditionally wandered the desert.

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MOUNT QASIOUN

A 1200-meter high mountain, Mount Qasioun majestically overlooks the city of Damascus. Local residents often drive or sit along the mountaintop, smoking shisha and drinking hot tea or hot chocolate from the on-site vending trucks while enjoying the sunset.

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KRAK DES CHEVALIERS

Between 1096 until 1291, waves of European Christians known as Crusaders arrived in the present day Middle East to gain control of the Holy Land, or Jerusalem.

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MAALOULA

Maaloula is located in the mountains nearby Damascus. Its name is Aramaic for “entrance,” describing the town’s religious heritage. According to popular beliefs, St. Thecle, a beautiful young Christian convert who studied under St. Paul, fled from her home when persecuted by her parents and the Romans for her newfound Christian faith.

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HAMA

Hama has the reputation of being one of the most charming and picturesque of Syrian towns. The city's river is lined today with 17 historic "norias" or waterwheels that traditionally were used to push water to surrounding agricultural areas and gardens.

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ALEPPO

Aleppo is amongst the oldest cities in the world, serving since ancient times as a strategic trading post. It subsequently became a center of Arabic culture and architecture, and until recently was filled with well-preserved buildings over hundreds of years old, including mosques, old homes, minarets, and a famous citadel and souq (market).

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Stories are powerful, and empowered people make change.

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