What does it feel mean to be a war nurse? 2. What does the “veil” symbolize? Why is it in the color pink? 3. What are the feelings of the wounded people towards Fatima’s veil? What is that? 4. What are the hardships that a “veiled” war nurse experiences? 5. How is “peace” represented in the story? 6. What does “Alhamdulillah” mean? Why is it important to Fatima? 7. Is peace possible in the unrest that is happening in Mindanao? What are the ways on how it is true? 8. Write a cooperative essay showing the experience of Fatima, the poem, and a nurse who works in the emergency room of a public or government hospital at the height of the pandemic. Performance Outputs Directions: Write a close analysis of the given text. Be guided by the rubric and the short discussion below: FATIMA, THE WAR NURSE Nassefh Macla In her clinic in the camp, she whispers her prayers, hoping no one had been hurt. But when the forest hushes from gunfire and grenades, she hears howls of pain. Tabang! Tabang kamol! Her instruments were all set, laid on the bamboo table – scissors, syringe, and bandages waiting for the wounded. A bloodied brother in front of her came with a head wound – scalp grinning, slit by a bullet. And she stitches it the way her mother had sewn her pink abaya. Curious eyes peeking, vision passing through amakan walls. Veiled women outside covering their mouths. Pink, sequined veil covers her head. “The color relaxes the patient,” she remembers. As she buries the needle in the warrior’s skin once more, she recalls how an old patient repelled her, refused her care because she was wearing a veil. She had not removed her tondong. She had turned to another patient since then. She gives a slight smile behind her surgical mask when “Alhamdulillah” comes out of the wounded man’s mouth. Fatima hears gunfire go off again as she washes her hands. She closes her eyes and waits for the forest to be completely silent. RUBRIC Limited: It is so little and it is not possible to assess the ideas. Insufficient: Ideas and perceptions are incomplete. Satisfactory: The perceptions are appropriate and focused. Proficient: The perceptions are thoughtful and considered. Excellent: Ideas and perceptions are insightful and confident. The unifying effect is unclear and coherence may falter. The unifying effect is clear but coherence may falter. The unifying effect is skillfully sustained and coherent. The unifying effect is totally not comprehensible.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Cooperative Essay and Close Analysis of “Fatima, the War Nurse” by Nassefh Macla
1. What does it feel mean to be a war nurse?
To be a war nurse, as portrayed through Fatima, is to be at the frontlines of suffering, tending to the broken bodies and spirits of those caught in violence. It is an existence defined by urgency, compassion, and resilience. Fatima works under pressure, surrounded by chaos, pain, and loss. But beyond these hardships, she is a beacon of hope. Her presence in the poem reflects an enduring humanity amidst the inhumanity of war. She listens to the sounds of the forest not for birdsong, but for silence between gunfire. Her every action — from setting up her instruments to stitching wounds — is a quiet resistance against despair.
2. What does the “veil” symbolize? Why is it in the color pink?
The veil in the poem symbolizes both Fatima’s identity and her faith. It is a cultural and religious marker, an expression of her belief and a part of who she is. However, it also becomes a site of tension — not everyone accepts it. The pink color of the veil holds particular significance. Pink, often associated with calmness, healing, and femininity, contrasts sharply with the violence around her. While the gunfire is cold and metallic, her veil is soft and warm. The color “relaxes the patient,” suggesting that her humanity, compassion, and gentleness are communicated through her appearance. Thus, her veil is not merely a religious article — it is part of her caregiving, her resistance, and her strength.
3. What are the feelings of the wounded people towards Fatima’s veil? What is that?
The wounded people’s feelings are mixed. Some are comforted by her presence, as seen in the patient who utters “Alhamdulillah” — a grateful expression — after receiving care. However, others are repelled, as one man refuses her treatment because of her veil. This dichotomy reflects the complex intersection between culture, religion, and war. For some, her veil is a sign of compassion and dignity; for others, it is a barrier, perhaps influenced by biases or trauma. This moment underlines how even in urgent situations like war, prejudice can persist.
4. What are the hardships that a “veiled” war nurse experiences?
Fatima experiences a unique blend of personal and professional hardships. Professionally, she navigates the trauma of caring for the wounded in dangerous conditions. She must remain calm while treating severe injuries, like the soldier with a “scalp grinning, slit by a bullet.” Personally, she faces discrimination — the veil makes her a target not just of bullets, but of judgment. Some refuse her care because of her appearance. This rejection cuts deeply, because it invalidates her competence and compassion based on how she looks. Her commitment to keeping her veil, even after being rejected, illustrates her resilience and conviction. She bears not only the weight of others’ injuries, but also the burden of being misunderstood.
5. How is “peace” represented in the story?
Peace is portrayed as fleeting, fragile, and something longed for. It exists in moments — the silence between battles, the healing of a wound, the utterance of gratitude. Fatima hopes “no one had been hurt” in her quiet prayers, signaling a desire for peace despite her violent surroundings. The forest “hushes from gunfire,” suggesting that peace is possible but unstable. Peace is not simply the absence of war, but the presence of care, dignity, and faith. When she closes her eyes and listens for the silence, she is longing not just for quiet, but for true, enduring peace.
6. What does “Alhamdulillah” mean? Why is it important to Fatima?
“Alhamdulillah” is an Arabic phrase meaning “Praise be to God.” It reflects gratitude, often used by Muslims in daily life to express thanks, relief, or contentment. For Fatima, this phrase is a reward. When a patient utters it, it affirms that her care has brought comfort. It validates her effort and faith. In a world of chaos, this simple word is a moment of grace — an acknowledgment of something sacred and humane. It reaffirms that what she does matters.
7. Is peace possible in the unrest that is happening in Mindanao? What are the ways on how it is true?
Yes, peace is possible in Mindanao, though it requires persistent, multifaceted effort. The poem itself is a testament to the potential for peace through compassion and service. Peace can be built through dialogue, community healing, interfaith understanding, and the empowerment of women like Fatima. Healthcare workers, educators, and peacemakers are crucial to this effort. Political will and systemic reforms — addressing poverty, injustice, and discrimination — are also essential. Programs like the Bangsamoro Peace Process are concrete examples of how peace is being pursued. Fatima’s work, though small in scale, is a microcosm of what peacebuilding looks like: personal, persistent, and rooted in care.
8. Cooperative Essay: Fatima and the Emergency Room Nurse During the Pandemic
Fatima’s story does not exist in isolation. Her experiences resonate with those of nurses who served during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both face invisible enemies — bullets for Fatima, and an unpredictable virus for the modern nurse. Both work with limited resources, in improvised conditions, with life and death constantly present.
In government hospitals during the pandemic, nurses worked long hours, often without proper protective equipment. They comforted patients when families were not allowed in. They heard cries of pain and saw people die alone. Like Fatima, they were surrounded by fear, but remained pillars of care. Just as Fatima’s veil drew attention, pandemic nurses often faced stigma — some were shunned in public or evicted from boarding houses due to fears of contagion.
Yet both women — Fatima and the modern nurse — persisted. They held hands, stitched wounds, gave injections, and whispered words of comfort. In both stories, faith plays a role — in God, in healing, or in the dignity of their work. When a patient recovered or said thank you, it became a moment of peace, a reminder that their sacrifices mattered.
This cooperative narrative shows that across time and space, the spirit of nursing — selfless, compassionate, courageous — remains unchanged. Whether in a war camp or a COVID-19 ward, nurses are warriors of peace, stitching not only skin, but the torn fabric of humanity.
Conclusion
Nassefh Macla’s Fatima, the War Nurse is a profound portrayal of service in the midst of suffering. Through Fatima, we witness a layered exploration of faith, identity, gender, and peace. Her pink veil becomes a powerful symbol — not of weakness, but of strength. She stands in the quiet between gunshots, hands steady, heart strong, reminding us that even in the most violent places, care can still prevail. Through Fatima and the many like her, we see that peace is not just possible — it is being stitched together, one wound at a time.
