Reading and listening to voices on Palestine

And few explainers from those in other parts of the world

This is a list of essays, interviews and events to check out around the Palestinian cause and resistance. These selections have helped me in understanding how to embrace the feelings that arise and choose actions that embody my role in present times.

• Crushed - To occupy words - by Juliana Farha in Guernica Magazine

This compelling essay written in 2015 is a poignant reflection on the power of words and their usage. For all of us who look at poetry and engage with it, this essay is a recollection of feelings and thoughts by the author to dive into what it means to write, to be a witness, to remember through words.

• When Palestinian Lives Are So Dehumanized, Palestinian Suffering Is Normalized by Diana Buttu in DAWN

This short essay summarises how time and again, Palestinians’ suffering and crises is negated by powerful media voices and outlets. She goes on to elaborate the countless acts of aggression and violence that Israeli settlers have committed against the Palestinians over decades and despite that it is the Palestinian lives that are dehumanized. “They forget that occupation is violent. It is a death by a thousand cuts—daily, painful, brutalizing.”

• “We Cannot Cross Until We Carry Each Other” by Arielle Angel in Jewish Currents

A deeply moving essay on understanding the tsunami of emotions for countless Jewish folks across the globe, and those writing and supporting Palestinian resistance. This was published on 12th October, and since then JC has published many pieces by Palestinian voices in Gaza reporting about the unfolding horrors on the civilians. Please read them all.

• Why are right wing nationalists in India cheering for Israel by Rana Ayyub

“The subtext of the pro-Israel solidarity is the anti-Muslim hate in India,” writes Ayuub. Don’t need to say this, but this is a critical essay for all Indians across the globe, to understand our role in resisting right-wing ideology that threatens to erode the very fabric of diversity and dignity anywhere.

• BLUE SCREEN W/ AMAR - EDWARD SAID'S 'AFTER THE LAST SKY: PALESTINIAN LIVES'

A beautiful, enlightening listen of Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said’s interview by Salman Rushdie, recorded in 1986. The interview spans an hour interspersed with Palestinian resistance songs from over the past decades. Said eloquently and with clarity explains meanings of displacement, exile, exclusion and identity as a Palestinian in America and the world.

• EVENT: Teach in on Gaza for Palestine Relief Funds (28th October)

Moderated by Fatima Bhutto, this event will include some of the most important voices talking about Gaza, including Tareq Baqoni, Noura Erakat, Dianna Buttu among others. It is free to sign up, but attendees are requested to make contributions to Médecins Sans Frontières or the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund Gaza.

Additionally, Fatima Bhutto has published a list of critical reads and recommendations on books, podcasts and events on her substack. Check those out.

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Mariyam Haider is an independent writer-researcher, producer & host of Main Bhi Muslim podcast, and spoken word artist creating works on feminism, culture and society. Her writing has appeared in Scroll, Kontinentalist, Asian Review of Books, Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, AWARE, Livemint, Mekong Review, among others. You can follow Mariyam’s other work on Instagram or LinkedIn.