The latest discussion of Qatar Foundation’s Education City Speaker Series focused on Palestinian struggle and the global media narrative on Israeli occupation, yesterday.
The virtual discussion ‘Amplifying Palestine’s Voice: Reality, Resilience, and the Right to Freedom’ heard powerful voices of activists, writers, and a leading Middle East journalist.
Maryam Al Afifi and activist and member of the Palestine Youth Orchestra shared her narrative of resilience with the beautiful trademark smile.
“I smiled at others who were protesting to give the support and say I’m ok — don’t worry,” said Maryam who has become symbol of resistance and courage for carrying a smile while being arrested during a protest against imminent forcible eviction of residents of the occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
“There is a feeling that things are changing, that a difference is being made — media coverage of Sheikh Jarrah, and the use of social media, has opened the eyes of both Palestinians and people internationally,” she said.
Writer and researcher Mariam Barghouti, who lives in the Palestinian city of Ramallah shared about her determination to voice even after being restricted many times.
In reply to a question about how she finds courage Mariam said, “It’s not just about us finding the courage to speak out; it’s recognising the urgency of the situation we are living under and that we have two choices – to be ethnically cleansed, or to fight back and afford ourselves the chance of living in Palestine as Palestinians.
While Doha-based Jamal El Shayyal, an award-winning Al Jazeera senior correspondent with a track record of exposing human rights abuses, touched on important questions referring to journalists’ ethical responsibility in conveying news faithfully, necessitating accurate discernment of truth and opinion.
The discussion moderated by broadcast journalist Ghida Fakhry, also featured Dr. Randa Abdel Fattah, a Palestine and anti-racism advocate.
“The most liberating thing you can do is embrace and support the liberation of Palestinians through the idea that this is a global struggle, that our struggles are shared and connected, and that freedom for some people at the expense of the freedom of others is not worth championing,” said Dr. Randa.
“What we do has to embrace freedom for everyone, and the most liberating thing that Palestinians around the world can do is share in people’s struggles and understand this goes beyond the borders of Palestine — recognising the power of uniting our voices against oppression and injustice everywhere,” she added.
The Palestine-focused event was the ninth edition of the Education City Speaker Series since it switched to online form last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
