The third Open Mic for Gaza event is set to take place this weekend in aid of the youth-led Palestinian nonprofit We Are Not Numbers.

Scheduled for this Sunday, 1 September, from 7-9pm on Zoom, the evening will comprise readings from special guests and 15 open mic slots.

The event will feature such guests as Ahmed Alnaouq, a London-based Gazan who served as the original project manager of We Are Not Numbers and now acts as Steering Committee member. A couple weeks ago, Alnaouq hosted a conversation with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and English author Matt Kennard discussing the ongoing crisis in Palestine and more.

Current project manager of We Are Not Numbers, Walaa Sabah, will make an appearance. Sabah was the guest speaker at the Irish Writers Union AGM and The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival in Cork, as well as special guest at the second Open Mic for Gaza.

Poet and playwright Lianne O'Hara will also make an appearance, as will Congolese-Irish poet Nithy Kasa, Dublin actor and playwright Janet Moran.

As well as readings and talks from special guests, the 15 open mic slots are for up to 3 minutes per person. If you would like to join the open mic, you can express interest via the sign-up form, with a short bio. Those wishing to donate to the cause are encouraged to do so via the same form.

The youth-led nonprofit project We Are Not Numbers (WANN) are based in the Gaza Strip. It strives to share the stories behind the numbers of Palestinians in the news and advocates for their human rights. Earlier this year, WANN were recognised for their vital efforts to protect the rights of Palestinians when they were presented with a Front Line Defenders Award plus an Outstanding Impact Award from Amnesty International UK.