Bana Alabed is a 7-year-old girl living in the terrifying Syrian war zone [1] of Aleppo, and she reads "to forget the war." After falling in love with the Harry Potter movies, she and her mom, Fatemah, reached out to J.K. Rowling on Twitter to see if there was any way she'd be able to send Bana the books. While it may sound impossible that Rowling was able to send a package to the warn-torn city of Aleppo, Bana did get the stories thanks to some quick thinking.
@AlabedBana [2] 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 [3]
It all began when Bana's mother tweeted at Rowling [4], writing, "I watched Harry Potter movie, Bana would like to read the book." Within the hour, Rowling responded and wrote, "Bana, I hope you do read the book, because I think you'd like it. Sending you lots and lots of love xxx." But Rowling wondered how she'd be able to get Bana the books amid the horrifying war in Aleppo. Luckily, Neil Blair, who works for Rowling, had the genius idea that they could send the books electronically.
@jk_rowling [5] she wants to but we don't have it here. We watched the movie before. How do we get?
— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 21, 2016 [6]
@missguppy1 [7] @AlabedBana [8] I do know that, sadly. I would love to send Bana a book if I could.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016 [9]
@NeilBlairTBP [10] @missguppy1 [11] @AlabedBana [12] Brilliant idea, Neil, I've been obsessing over this all morning!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016 [13]
Bana received the ebooks and posted an adorable photo thanking Rowling and her team.
My friend @jk_rowling [14] how are you? Thank you for the book, love you from #Aleppo [15]. - Bana pic.twitter.com/c84b4Zux0G [16]
— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 23, 2016 [17]
Both Blair and Rowling shared their reactions on Twitter.
Love you too, Bana! Thinking of you, keep safe #Aleppo [18] https://t.co/1l5SJPStEm [19]
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 23, 2016 [20]
So pleased they've arrived - hope they bring some joy and relief to what must otherwise be such terrible times. Be safe @jk_rowling [21] #Allepo [22] https://t.co/yjkJmHYNSP [23]
— Neil Blair (@NeilBlairTBP) November 23, 2016 [24]
Although many Harry Potter fans rushed to the movie theater last weekend to see J.K. Rowling's latest masterpiece [25], Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, this young Syrian girl got her Harry Potter fix thanks to the power of technology — and a little bit of magic.