By Reema Jallaq, 31, and her cousin Fadi Shalash, 25, launched an awesome T-shirt design business called Layali & Co. to raise awareness about Palestine, as well as to contribute to the philanthropic world of giving back to those in need.
We interviewed Jallaq to learn more about the company and to find out what motivated her to get started in her goals to change the world for the better.
Muslim Girl: When did you launch Layali & Co. and why did you start this business?
Reema Jallaq: We were inspired to make this an actual T-shirt company from the people of Columbus, Ohio. In 2014, we had a huge protest for Gaza and more than 3,000 people came out for the demonstration. I was active and vocal at that time with organizing the protest, which, in turn, created this huge interest from the community about the protest and the T-shirts I had.
People began asking me how they could give to the people of Gaza and Palestine as a whole. It really touched me.
From that protest, my cousin Fadi and I launched our company in April of this year. We started it because it was our way to express how we feel about Palestine, as well as wanting to give back to our people. So our T-shirts tell a story about being Palestinian.
When someone wears one of our shirts, it generates conversation. It gives us and the people who wear them the opportunity to tell people the truth about what is going on in Palestine.
How is your company supporting Palestinians in the U.S. and around the world?
We give a substantial amount of the cost of the T-shirts to charities that help Palestinians and Palestinian refugees. We have donated to PCRF (Palestine Children’s Relief Fund) and to the Syrian American Medical Society.
Ultimately, the last thing we want the readers to take from this is that we truly love Palestine and would love to see it as a country where no one is living under inhumane conditions, where no one is living under occupation, where no one is suffering or dying from attacks, and where children can see a bright future for themselves.
Our next project is a collaboration with Palestinian comedian and activist, Moe Shama from Chicago. He has designed two T-shirts regarding “hijabi” and “falahee” themes. Through our collaboration, we have agreed to donate proceeds to his charity of choice, IMPACT-AID.
Other than the Moe Shama-inspired T-shirts, all our designs are original.
We have also teamed up with Mona Aburmishan, a Palestinian comedian also based in Chicago. We supply her with T-shirts and she gives them out at her shows in both Chicago and in Ramallah, Palestine.
Who are some famous people who have been spotted wearing your T-shirts?
Our shirts have been worn by Mona Aburmishan (Palestinian comedian), Moe Shama (Palestinian Comedian), and Lina Hadid (cousin of Victoria Secret model Gigi Hadid). We are the official T-shirt sponsors of Moe Shama and Mona Aburmishan.
What do you hope people get when they purchase or see your T-shirts and accessories?
Not only do we donate most proceeds to the charities listed above, we are also working with a few Palestinian women who have children here in Ohio that make cultural purses, key chains, hats, and other accessories.
We hope that by working with these women, they will be able to provide financial support to their families as they sell their goods on our website. We are all in this together. We need to continue to help women stand on their feet. When you purchase one of our T-shirts, you are helping not only Palestinians overseas, but you are helping those artists here who are struggling to keep it together for their children.
What are some of your short and long term goals?
Our goals are to spread the truth about Palestine, to have people strike up a conversation regarding Palestine, and to help others in need.
We are also working with a few Palestinian women who have children here in Ohio that make cultural purses, key chains, hats, and other accessories. We hope that by working with these women, they will be able to provide financial support to their families as they sell their goods on our website.
Our long-term goal is to eventually make enough money to one day open an actual storefront in Ramallah selling our T-shirts. This would provide jobs for those less fortunate living in or around the area.
What else would you like our readers to know about your company?
Our philanthropy work and our love for humanity is simple: We are humans. We have hearts. When we see people in need we want to help. When we see injustice in the world, we want to be the voice for the voiceless.
We’ve been doing this for eight years now — making T-shirts for protests and demonstrations regarding the Palestinian cause. Each sale goes toward helping our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve spread our charity to others in need, like Syria and their refugees.
In fact, the last fundraiser we had was a dental drive for Syrian Refugees. People love to give. They have big hearts. And when they buy our T-shirts, they know they are giving to those in need.
For our next project, we hope to design a T-shirt that will raise money to help a young child coming to Columbus, Ohio through PCRF. Keep an eye out for that, because you can have the opportunity to make it happen by buying one of our shirts.
Ultimately, the last thing we want the readers to take from this is that we truly love Palestine and would love to see it as a country where no one is living under inhumane conditions, where no one is living under occupation, where no one is suffering or dying from attacks, and where children can see a bright future for themselves. 
Check out www.layaliandco.com to see their t-shirt designs, or you can follow them on Instagram at Layaliandco.