Ramy
Al Shurafa
Ramy, you are with us always. We will keep growing the seeds you have planted.
Honoring Ramy:
A Visionary, A Friend, A Force for Good
On Monday, 17 March 2025, our dear friend and co-founder, Ramy Shurafa, suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away. Words will never fully express the loss we feel. Yet, at a time when those in positions of power make us question humanity, it is more important than ever that people know Ramy—the wonderful person he was and the vision he had for this world.
Ramy first connected with Joe and Simon through a laptop screen, by chance, through a programme where graduates from Founders and Coders and Gaza Sky Geeks could learn together remotely, building tech-for-good products. Within months (and having not met in person), they decided to set up a digital agency—Yalla Cooperative. Perhaps they bonded over their shared naïve optimism! Technology brought them together, and they wanted to help technology do the same for others.
It’s unreal to think that, all these years on, Yalla is still here. There are so many shared memories—our first time meeting in person, eating mulukhiyah on Gaza City’s beachfront, celebrating the birth of Ramy's first child. And over these years, our community has grown across Palestine and Europe, bringing together brilliant people, all committed to building digital tools to help others.
The values at the heart of Yalla were shaped by Ramy.
His unwavering trust in people, his unending support, his determination to overcome anything—blackouts, airstrikes, and any other technical blockers! Even in the face of the latest genocide, Ramy never stopped—always working to support colleagues, friends, and families in Gaza.
Despite facing every obstacle imaginable, Ramy did more to help people in his short time than most do in their entire lives.
We owe so much to him. We are better people because of him, as we know so many others are as well. We don’t know what to do without him, but we know that we need to live by his values.
There simply needs to be more people like Ramy in the world.
A Journey of Learning, Love, and Impact
Ramy’s path to technology was anything but conventional. He started in science, moved through mechanical and civil engineering, and eventually found his passion in coding. This broad background shaped the way he approached problem-solving, bringing curiosity, analytical thinking, and adaptability to Yalla. He had a deep love for self-learning, always eager to explore new ideas—even in the busiest times, he found ways to keep learning and growing. His perspective wasn’t just technical—it was about finding practical solutions and making a real impact.
Beyond work, Ramy was a runner, a hiker, and a gardener, with a particular love for bamboo trees, potted greens, and lotus flowers. He was also learning to fish—never quite mastering it, but always enjoying the challenge. As he once said: "I never wanted a job just to make a living. I always wanted to do something more meaningful—something that ignites my passion when I start each day and motivates me to wake up."
In 2022, Ramy got engaged to Malak, and in 2023, they married. For their honeymoon, they travelled to Egypt and Turkey, marking Ramy's first time leaving Gaza as an adult. It was an experience he had long hoped for—hiking in open landscapes, fishing in different places, and spending time in nature. He made the most of every moment.
Time with Ramy and his family was always filled with warmth. We cooked feasts together, played board games, and had endless rounds of bowling and other games. We never missed a chance to tease him—no matter how hard he tried, Malak always seemed to win. In September 2023, Ramy returned to Turkey as we prepared for a team retreat in Istanbul. He never left again. Soon after, the genocide in Palestine began, and Ramy never got the chance to return home.
On 29 December 2023, Ramy’s son, Mustafa, was born. Becoming a father was a moment of pure joy for him. Recently, Mustafa took his first steps and has started saying his first words—“Mum” and “Dad.”
Ramy was more than a friend—he was family to so many. Whether in Gaza, Istanbul, or across Europe, his kindness and support made him a constant presence in people’s lives. He built communities, not just through his work, but through the way he lived.
All Ramy wanted was to be back in Gaza, with his family and friends. Now, his wife and child remain unable to return home to the support of their loved ones. His family cannot even bury him, as they fight to survive the latest Israeli onslaught. His friends, scattered across the world by displacement, cannot physically come together to mourn him. As humans, we may not control a sudden heart attack, but we do control the systems that tear families apart and deny them dignity in their hardest moments.
What made Ramy so special was his hope. He believed we could change things. He envisioned a world where barriers were broken, where people came together to build something better. That is why we are proud to have known him, and why we will continue his work.
It is a vision we must all carry forward.
Donate to honour Ramy’s legacy and building a better future for Mustafa and Malak.
Ramy was the heart of our community. He built opportunities for others, lifted people up, and worked tirelessly to create a better future.
Now, we want to do the same by supporting the people he loved most. We are raising funds to support his wife, Malak, and his young son, Mustafa, as they navigate this devastating loss. If Ramy’s life and work touched you in any way, please consider contributing.
Ramy’s impact will never be forgotten.
Memories, Tributes and fun facts
We are collecting messages, memories, and reflections from friends, colleagues, and loved ones to share with Ramy’s family. Whether it’s a story, a message of support, or simply a few words about what Ramy meant to you, your contributions will help honour his legacy.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts.
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His Work
Here are projects that Ramy has massively contributed to building.
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