Short answer
The watermelon is a symbol of Palestine because it has the same colours as the Palestinian flag: red, green, black and white. At times when showing the flag was restricted, people used the watermelon instead. For a child, that is the whole answer. The rest of this post covers where the watermelon symbol for Palestine comes from and how to talk about it at different ages.
Written by Rin Aziz · Checked by Dr Wendy Booth, a student of Islam · How we write and check our blog
What’s on this page
The short answer for a child
Children ask this at the checkout, at the masjid or after seeing a badge on a coat. They want one or two sentences, not a history lesson.
Try something like this:
"Palestine has a flag that is red, green, black and white. A watermelon has the same colours, so people use it to show they love Palestine and care about the people there."
For most children under seven, that is enough. If they ask "why not just use the flag?", you can add: "Sometimes people were not allowed to show the flag, so they used the watermelon instead."
Where the watermelon symbol of Palestine comes from
The watermelon, as a soft toy
Nūr Watermelon Plushie (30cm)
Nūr is our 30cm watermelon plushie. For many families it is the easiest way to start this conversation with a small child: something to hold while you talk.
£12.99
Meet Nūr →After 1967, Israeli authorities restricted the display of the Palestinian flag in the West Bank and Gaza. Artists and ordinary people looked for other ways to show the colours.
The best-known account comes from the Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour. He has described how, in 1980, the Israeli army closed an exhibition of his work at the 79 Gallery in Ramallah. When the artists were told the flag's colours were forbidden too, one of them, Issam Badr, asked what would happen if he painted a flower in red, green, black and white. The officer's reply was that it would be confiscated — even if he painted a watermelon. The story has been reported by TIME and PBS NewsHour.
The watermelon became a quiet way of saying "we are still here". It came back into wide use in recent years, on posters, badges and social media, as people around the world showed support for Palestinians.
For older children, it is worth adding that the watermelon is also simply a fruit grown in Palestine, from Jenin to Gaza. It belongs to the land as well as the flag.
Talking to children about Palestine by age
Children need different things at different ages. The table below is a starting point. You know your child best.
| Age | What they need | What to say or do |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | Safety and simple facts | "People in Palestine need help. We make dua for them." Keep news off when they are around. |
| 5 to 7 | A little more detail, a lot of reassurance | Explain the flag and the watermelon. Tell them grown-ups are working to help, and that they are safe. |
| 8 to 11 | Honest answers and something to do | Talk about Al-Aqsa and why it matters to Muslims. Give them a way to help, like a fundraiser. |
| 12+ | Space to talk and to ask hard questions | Listen first. Talk about where they get their news and how to check it. |
A few things that help at every age:
- Ask what they already know. "What have you heard?" often shows you what is really worrying them.
- Keep graphic images away from young children. News clips can stay with a child for a long time.
- Tie it to faith. Explain that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was taken to Al-Aqsa by night, as the Qur'an tells us (Qur'an 17:1).
- Expect the hard questions. Children will ask why Allah allows suffering. We wrote about that question in Mama, why is Allah allowing this to happen in Gaza?
For a longer guide on building empathy, read teaching our children about Palestine.
Ways children can help
Read it together
Train to Al-Aqsa
A children’s book that travels to Al-Aqsa, written for primary-age readers. A calm way to give Palestine a place in your child’s imagination beyond the news.
£4.99
See the book →Children feel better when they can do something. It turns worry into action.
- Make dua together. Add Palestine to bedtime Duas. Short and regular is better than long and occasional.
- Raise money. A cake sale, a sponsored silence or selling drawings. Let them choose the charity with you.
- Learn about the place. Maps, food, clothing, the cities. Our free Palestine activity PDF for kids has a dot-to-dot of Palestinian cities, a maze and a crossword.
- Be kind at school. Some children will not understand the watermelon. Teach yours to explain it calmly and never to argue unkindly.
We also give 20% of the manufacturing costs of our Nūr watermelon plushies to aid projects in Palestine. You can see the range in our support Palestine collection.
Free download
Palestine PDF for kids (free download)
A gentle, printable guide to Palestine for children, written so a parent can read it with them.
Get the free PDF →It costs nothing: add it to your basket, check out at £0, and the download is yours.
FAQ
Is the watermelon an official symbol of Palestine?
No. The official symbol is the flag. The watermelon is an informal symbol that people chose because it shares the flag's colours.
Is it OK for my child to wear a watermelon badge to school?
Check your school's uniform policy first. Many schools limit badges of any kind. If your child does wear one, make sure they can explain it calmly if asked.
What age should I start talking to my child about Palestine?
Most children pick things up from the news or friends by five or six. It is usually better that they hear it from you first, in simple words.
How do I explain it if my child is scared?
Tell them they are safe and that many grown-ups are helping. Then give them one small thing to do, like making dua together tonight.
Shop this post
- Interactive Nūr Watermelon Dua Pillow: 11 Duas, 7 nasheeds and the Train to Al-Aqsa story, read aloud.
- Nūr Watermelon Plushie (30cm): a soft first watermelon for little ones, with 20% of manufacturing costs going to aid projects in Palestine.
- Train to Al-Aqsa: a picture book for ages 2–6 about Al-Aqsa and Palestinian culture. All profits go to charity.
- All Nūr watermelon toys: the full Nūr range in one place.
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