Changing the narrative

Bahraini writer, editor, artist and educator Fatima Al Saad has collaborated with well-known Dubai-based creative Deema Al Alami to compile a collection of poignant anthologies that brings the Palestinian narrative to light.

48 Stories of Exile from Palestine, an English language book that aims to connect the English-speaking and Palestinian communities, is set to hit the shelves in March.

It highlights the personal accounts of victims from the 1948 Al Nakba (meaning ‘the catastrophe’) and the 1967 Al Naksa (setback), which witnessed the displacement of thousands of Palestinians. The stories shed light on their enduring hardships.

Among the many people involved in bringing the Palestinian plight to light through this 112-page book were 48 authors, 13 illustrators, five editors and 20 volunteer readers belonging to diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Bahraini, Kuwaiti, American, British, Indian, Irish, Russian and Swedish.

An excerpt from one of the stories reads: “By the next day, as Jiddo Assaad rightly predicted, the settlers returned, shooting and murdering him in his own home. His widow and sons never returned to Palestine. They had to grieve their painful loss away from home, in Jordan, where they would eventually become citizens. Jiddo Assaad’s story of ensuring his family’s safety and staying to protect his home, is one that will never leave us, his proud descendants.”

“When the violence (ongoing war in Gaza) escalated early October, I was affected much like everyone else,” 40-year-old Fatima, one of the editors on this project, told GulfWeekly. “I wanted to do something with my voice as a poet but I had this odd paralysis, like my throat was locked, and I was feeling lost and ineffective as a human. When I heard about this book, I knew instinctively that this was the opportunity where I could support the cause and speak up for Palestine.”

Deema, the publisher and initiator of this project, is partly Palestinian and has a personal connection with the stories.

“My paternal grandparents were forced into exile from their home in Jerusalem and carried the weight of displacement and longing for their homeland,” the popular children’s author revealed, adding that her father was born in exile.

 “Growing up, I visited them in Amman (Jordan) every week. Those memories laced with the aroma of Palestinian cuisine and the melody of our traditional music, as well as their accent and use of Arabic metaphors, all keep Palestine alive in my heart.”

Though Fatima has closely followed Palestinian history over the years, she found working on this project an educational experience.

“I had to research to get context and details to some parts of the narratives I was editing, which taught me about specific events and massacres that affected the movement of the people in their own land,” the Amwaj resident, who is set to participate in a Palestine-themed art exhibition soon, added.

Art for Palestine will showcase her installation that’s been inspired by some of the stories she has edited for this book.

“As I read the stories and spoke to the descendants of Al Nakba, I learned about Palestine in its former glory, as a beautiful, peaceful and progressive land. Before this, the image I had was the sieged and war-torn land we see today.

“Palestinians, even in their displacement, have empowered themselves with education, knowledge, skill, patriotism, and more.

“I hope to visit the country some day and pray at Masjid Al Aqsa in Al Quds. I want to pick oranges from the trees, and taste the figs and watermelons…” the self-trained energy healer added.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will go toward supporting Palestinians in their pursuit of education, a common theme that threads through the stories.

“I am grateful to everyone who played a role in getting this book published, contributing their time and expertise pro bono,” Deema added. “This collective effort not only highlights the power of storytelling but also reaffirms the shared humanity in relation to any group of oppressed people, and especially Palestinians. The book stands not just as a collection of narratives but as a testament to the resilience and unity of people from diverse backgrounds in supporting the Palestinian cause.”

48 Stories of Exile from Palestine can be pre-ordered by emailing 48storiesofexile@gmail.com or messaging @deema_al_alami on Instagram.

For details, follow @fatimasque on Instagram.