Shahd Khidir
photo: Instagram/HadYouAtSalaam

If you've been tuning into the news lately, chances are you've encountered the devastation that's ravaged Sudan. Hundreds of peaceful protesters are being brutalized, children and women are being sexually assaulted, and the beatings and killings of civilians have been rampant. However, as the country's internet has continued to be impeded, victims have been unable to spread the word about what they're facing. 

That's where New York City–based Sudanese beauty influencer Shahd Khidir comes in. She's urging everyone to spread awareness about what's been happening in her home country, and the message isn't falling on deaf ears. 

This is how we're used to seeing beauty influencer Shahd Khidir.

Radiant, happy, and giving us all the secrets on how to get our best skin ever. The Sudanese beauty queen is known for her exuberant personality and lively captions representing Muslim women in beauty everywhere. However, in a recent Instagram post, that energy was visibly absent. 

In the past week, Sudan has been in violent turmoil, and hundreds of peaceful protesters have been killed. In a long Instagram post, Khidir described the range of emotions she's had while witnessing the massacre her people are enduring. 

"It’s really hard being an influencer and sharing information that is 'off brand' and not worthy of the 'feed' but I cannot hold this in anymore. I am at my office crying because I have so many emotions in me and I feel horrible. There’s a massacre happening in my country Sudan’s and a media blackout and internet censorship for four consecutive days. There is no objective media sharing what’s going on expect for @aljazeeraenglish which had their offices shot down," she began her Instagram caption. 

"My friend @mattar77 was MURDERED by the Rapid Support Forces. My best friend was in hiding on June 2 and that’s the last time I spoke to him. He was missing for 4 days and when I got in touch with him he said: I was caught, beaten and abused and humiliated and arrested and had my phone confiscated from me. I am injured currently.' And all I could do was post this. 

I am sorry to all companies I am running campaigns with but my editorial calendar is currently on pause. I am willing to refund all and everything right away. Please, just send me an email. 
To my followers/supporters who this is too much for I am also sorry but my regularly scheduled content/reviews is also on pause. 

If this offends you, I am sorry. But I need to speak out and share this in a time like this. 
If you want to support me please share this information as widely as possible and don’t be silent. Be an ally because we need your help. And tune into my stories for more information. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SILENT." 

In case you're still confused, here's a little background on what's happening in Sudan. 

Last Monday, paramilitaries violently tore through Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, harming pro-democracy protesters. The results have been devastating.

"In Sudan Just 3 days, 113 killed, 723 injured, 650 arrested, 48 women raped, 6 men raped, 1000 missing. Your help would be appreciated. You can use these hashtags on Twitter and keep them active and let the world know," a tweet reported. 

Khidir has made it a point to be a voice to her people who have been stripped of internet access.

"I want to see my people prosper and my country’s economy to flourish and for our exports to increase, which will raise the standards of living and I hope for an end to the current poverty. #IAmTheSudanRevolution #SudanUprising," she tweeted. 

She's speaking out for a "better standard of life" for the citizens of Sudan.

"Sudanese people have been oppressed by a military rule and authoritarian regime for way too long. We deserve a better standard of life. Starting w elections. And good government groups, institutions to check the gov’t and unions.#IAmTheSudanRevolution #SudanUprising," Khidir continued. 

Still, even with advocates such as Khidir, the rampage in Sudan is not even getting half of the coverage it should be. 

"In Sudan, people were peacefully protesting for democracy, and their government started shooting at them...why aren't more people talking about this? When Notre Dame was on fire, it was all over social media. The people of Sudan are being massacred and now y'all are silent," someone tweeted.

There's a clear difference between the amount of attention given to the accidental fire at Paris' Notre Dame in April and the current Sudan crisis. 

"If Sudan got even 10% of the media attention that notre dame got, so many lives could be saved," someone noted. 

To find out what you can do for Sudan, follow Khidir for constant updates by the hour via her Instagram Stories.