An Iranian-American artist revealed a memorial artwork Thursday morning in Webster, Texas, paying tribute to young victims of violence perpetrated by Iran’s Islamic regime and allied groups.
The large memorial piece, called “WOMAN. LIFE. FREEDOM.,” was displayed between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. at 425 Henrietta in Webster, located outside Houston. Artist Hooman Khalili created the work to bring global awareness to the victims as the world prepares for the FIFA World Cup.
The memorial artwork shows children assembled on a soccer field and weaves together stories of young victims from both Israel and Iran. Featured prominently are the 12 Druze children who died on July 27, 2024, after a Hezbollah rocket hit a soccer field in Majdal Shams near Mount Hermon in northern Israel.
The piece also pays tribute to Iranian children who perished during civil unrest and government crackdowns by the Islamic regime beginning in 2022, including Kian Pirfalak, Sarina Esmailzadeh, and Nika Shakarami.
“This mural is ultimately about children,” Khalili said. “Different backgrounds, different countries, different languages—but the same stolen innocence. These children share a common enemy in the ideology and violence exported by the Islamic regime and its proxies.”
According to Khalili, the memorial’s timing was planned to align with increased global focus on North America as the FIFA World Cup approaches, with games scheduled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“The roots of this project are in Israel,” he said. “But my hope is that the tree blossoms in the United States. As the world gathers around soccer, I want the eyes of the world to also see the humanity of these children and the brutality that took their lives.”
The memorial features visual elements representing both Druze and Persian heritage, incorporating symbols from Nabi Shu’ayb (also called Jethro’s Tomb), Tehran’s Azadi Tower, and Persia’s Lion and Sun emblem.
Prior to creating the memorial, Khalili visited Majdal Shams, where he spoke with Naila Fakhr al-Din, whose daughter Alma Fakhr al-Din was among the victims, and met with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Rafa Halabi. The artwork additionally honors Iranian footballer Zahra Azadpour, who was killed during civil unrest in Iran in January 2026.
