QNL exhibition examines experiences of Palestinians through a classic novel

The Qatar National Library (QNL)’s Qatar Reads programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Northwestern University in Qatar, has organised an exhibition centred around the concepts of nationhood, education, loss of land, solidarity, and the Palestinian diaspora.

The exhibition is based on Ghassan Kanafani’s classic novella, *Men in the Sun, which Qatar Reads has chosen for this year’s “One Book, One Doha” campaign.

The book tells the story of three Palestinians trying to smuggle themselves into Kuwait to find work.

Running from now until December 31 at the QNL, the exhibition examines how the Israeli occupation of Palestine affects the characters in the book and by extension the lives of Palestinians today.

To complement the exhibition, a panel discussion was held on September 5 in collaboration with Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), where prominent professors offered valuable perspectives on the exhibition's themes.

“This exhibition is being hosted at the Qatar National Library because libraries are the custodians of stories that shape our understanding of the world,” said QNL executive director Tan Huism. “Through such programmes, the public has the opportunity to have deeper engagement with these stories and understand their relevance for today’s world.”

Shedding light on the historical and socio-political contexts that shaped Kanafani’s narrative, the panel discussed key themes such as the struggles of displacement, the legacy of apartheid and the broader implications of Kanafani's narrative in contemporary discussions of justice and identity.

It featured a diverse group of scholars and professors from the GU-Q, who brought their unique perspectives on the intersection of apartheid and diaspora as reflected in Kanafani's work.

Prof M Reza Pirbhai, faculty chair and associate professor of history at the GU-Q, said: “By exploring literature like *Men in the Sun, set in the stark realities of our world, we not only engage with political issues, but also gain a deeper understanding of the broader human condition and connections that shape them.”

Omar Khalifa, associate professor of Arabic Literature and Culture at the GU-Q, said: “My aim is to place this novel within the context of Ghassan Kanafani's other works, attempting to understand the development and transformation that were showcased in Ghassan Kanafani's literary career."

As part of the Qatar Reads’ “One Book One Doha” campaign, the panel discussion stood as a testament to the significance of Arabic literature and its capacity to shape contemporary thoughts.

By encouraging the community to re-read and rediscover the classics of Arabic literature, Qatar Reads is highlighting the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of the Arabic-speaking world, demonstrating how one book can reflect and influence societal issues.