Dr Safwan Masri, the dean of Qatar Foundation (QF) partner Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), recently hosted two scholars for a thought-provoking exploration of the past and present, as part of the “Palestine Speaker Series”: renowned experts on Palestinian history and culture Zeina Jallad and Salim Tamari.
The speaker series is one of many opportunities for dialogue on the topic of Palestine at the GU-Q, which includes course assignments and discussions about the country’s political, economic, and social history, often informed by publications on Palestine authored by the faculty, and student-organised events.
“At the GU-Q, we hope to advance knowledge and understanding of one of the most enduring struggles for justice in modern history, as well as to offer hope for a more peaceful future," said Dr Masri.
Jallad, an international lawyer and scholar of Palestinian history and identity, presented her research examining the ways in which Israel's occupation of the West Bank and decision to extend Israeli citizenship to the country’s ethno-religious minority, the Samaritans, is politically motivated.
Mobility, access to healthcare, and human rights, she said, are not what drove the decision to offer citizenship.
Rather, Jallad explained, it was to nationalise their Palestinian identity as part of the ongoing effort to annex illegally occupied land.
Tamari, a researcher, sociologist, and professor at Birzeit University, discussed his recent book that explores the role of photography in documenting and shaping the history and identity of Palestine from the late 19th century to the present day.
Presenting a collection of photos taken during British Mandate Palestine by famed Jerusalemite Wasif Jawhariyyeh, he highlighted the cultural, political, and social aspects of Palestinian life and identity, illuminating the rich heritage of the Palestinian people.
Historical archives of the city’s diverse history and heritage, Tamari explained, offer glimpses of hope for a more peaceful future.
Led by associate professors Abdullah al-Arian, Karine Walther, and visiting assistant professor Nadya Sbaiti, and with the support of GU-Q dean Dr Masri, the “Palestine Speaker Series” is part of a larger project at the GU-Q which aims to provide a platform for dialogue and analysis of the historical and contemporary issues facing Palestine.