The Qatar National Library (QNL) commemorated the Palestinian Nakba (Disaster) yesterday, by hosting a seminar titled “Commemorating the Palestinian Nakba: Ongoing Displacement from 1948 to the Systematic Genocide in Gaza,” the seminar also aimed to reexamine the aftermath of the Nakba and its role in understanding the Palestinian experience, spotlighting the colonial lens through which it is often viewed.
The discussions brought together Dr Amal Ghazal, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Dr Abaher El-Sakka, Associate Professor at Birzeit University in Occupied Palestine, and Dr Ismail Nashif, Associate Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Dr Ghazal touched on the global significance of the Nakba rather than the local and regional dimensions through which the Palestinian cause has been viewed historically.
“It is important to touch on the Nakba from a socio-historical perspective to understand the successive catastrophes that have befallen the Palestinian people,” Dr. Ghazal said. “Reacting to today’s events is a human and moral duty. This seminar is not only part of today’s global reaction to the attack on Gaza, but also serves as a platform to examine and understand all dimensions of the Palestinian cause and the people’s ongoing quest for freedom.”
Dr El-Sakka explained how the ongoing genocide in Gaza represents an extension of the Nakba and the colonial practices against the Palestinian people since 1948. “The difference today is that the displacement, expulsion, and massacres being committed against Palestinians are being observed and documented by people worldwide,” he said.
Dr El-Sakka added that the seminar aims to highlight the suffering of Palestinians since 1948 and counter the dominant colonial narrative that distorts historical facts and conceals the nature of the colonial state and its practices against Palestinians.
Dr Ismail Nashif, touched on the Palestinians' narration of their history, starting with the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and progressing through pivotal events to the ongoing Gaza genocide. Dr Nashif explained how these events established the historical Palestinian narrative and led to profound transformations in their daily lives.
Since the launch of the assault on Gaza, QNL has organised numerous events to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause and raise awareness about Palestine and its deep-rooted Arab identity, which Israel is attempting to undermine. They ranged from a poetry evening titled “If they ask you about Gaza...”, and a book exhibition from the Library’s collection on Palestine. In addition to events for children and families, including “Palestine’s Story,” and two webinars titled “Raising for Palestine” and “Palestine: Memory of Place and Meaning” held in cooperation with Teach for Qatar.
From left Dr Ismail Nashif, Dr Amal Ghazal, and Dr Abaher El-Sakka. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam.
