Shereen Malherbe's Blog, page 9
April 30, 2024
Palestinian Children’s Book Series- Out Now
Introduce your children to Palestine.Follow the journey of Noor, who like many millions of children around the world, has moved from her home to live in another part of the world. Her journey celebrates where she is from and where in the world she belongs.
Beautifully illustrated by Sarah Nesti Willard, The Girl Series introduces children to a world where they can belong anywhere. It follows Noor’s poignant journey to her homeland where children read about celebrating their differences through stories, traditional recipes, tatreez (Palestinian embroidery) and finally holding on to their roots and their future.
If you are looking for a way to introduce Palestine to your children, you can purchase The Girl Series here or by clicking on the above titles.
Join in the conversation with schools, libraries and parents:
“Such a touching affirmative story.” Leila Aboulela
“A wonderful group read to get children talking, feeling and thinking!” Suma Din
The Girl Series is now available in paperback and hardback worldwide.If you are a school or book store and would like to discuss bulk orders please contact: info@beaconbooks.net
April 24, 2024
Saturday’s Palestine Film Screening – The Edge of Death
Saturday’s Film: “The Edge of Death – In the Face of Adversity; Palestinian Women Afflicted with Breast Cancer.”
Program begins at 12:00 PM US EDT; 18:00 Europe; 19:00 Palestine Time.
The screening of the film will be followed by Q&A discussion with film director Noor Bader.
Running time is 44 Minutes, 2023. Aarabic with English subtitles.
About the Film
A new documentary delves into the complex realities confronting eight Palestinian women fighting breast cancer in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Beyond mere medical accounts, these women’s stories are interwoven with threads of societal and political challenges that influence their journeys.
Please click here to register to watch the film.
When Only God Can See- new book by Walaa Quisay & Asim Qureshi
New Book Release, When Only God Can See.‘This beautifully written and harrowing book bears witness to the devastating experience of imprisonment; it shows the centrality of faith; and tenderly details the prayers, communities and acts of resistance that sustained these prisoners when faced with forced disappearance, punishment, and torture’ Laleh Khalili, author of Time in the Shadows‘
A passionate revelation of the secret endurance of people suffering extraordinary trauma … A must read to understand the limitless potential of the human spirit’ Aida Seif El-Dawla, psychiatrist and co-founder of El Nadeem Centre for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture
When Only God Can See uncovers the unique experiences of Muslim political prisoners held in Egypt and under US custody at Guantanamo Bay and other detention black sites. This groundbreaking book explores the intricate interplay between their religious beliefs, practices of ritual purity, prayer, and modes of resistance in the face of adversity. Highlighting the experiences of these prisoners, faith is revealed to be not only a personal spiritual connection to God, but also a means of contestation against prison and state authorities, reflecting larger societal struggles.
Written by Walaa Quisay, who has worked closely with prisoners in Egypt, and Asim Qureshi, with years of experience supporting detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the authors’ deep connections with prisoner communities and their emphasis on the power of resistance shine through.
Asim Qureshi is Research Director at CAGE. He specialises in investigating the impact of counterterrorism practices worldwide. He is the author of A Virtue of Disobedience. Walaa Quisay is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh. She is the author of Neo-Traditionalism in Islam in the West: Orthodoxy, Spirituality and Politics.
To read more and to buy the book click here.
April 15, 2024
Yassini Girls- A New Palestinian Novel
Yassini GirlsDear all,
I was recently on George Galloway’s The Mother of All Talk Shows to introduce my new novel, Yassini Girls. Join us in amplifying the Palestinian narrative! My latest novel is my most personal novel yet. I write to preserve Palestinian history and to share that through the journey of fiction novels. I am determined to fight for Palestine. Change the narrative by changing the view of Palestine to one that is authentic, steeped in tradition and history.
Thank you to all my subscribers for your support, including our new subscribers who found me via the show! It is great for you to be part of this journey with me. Thank you for those who emailed me too. It was great to connect.
In case you missed it, I am posting both my cover reveal which was shown for the first time live on the channel and also the blurb of Yassini Girls. We are working hard behind the scenes to get this book to you July 2024. Don’t miss out on being one of the first to receive it by pre-ordering the book here.
BlurbIn an ancient house behind stone walls in the Old City of Jerusalem, an unexpected phone call reignites a past Fatima has long buried. Thousands of miles away in the British countryside, a family heirloom buried beneath an attic floor forces Layla to journey into the darkest parts of Palestinian history. Separated by distance and time, the lives of these two women are stitched together in a way neither of them could have imagined.
Yassini Girls is a multi-generational novel that explores trauma, belonging, and preserving tradition against all odds to secure our present. Based on the author’s own experience following a BBC documentary film, Yassini Girls reminds us how our past will always be part of our future.
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 2024
Get InvolvedDo you want to be involved in the upcoming launch of Yassini Girls? If yes, submit your idea for getting involved either through book clubs, reviews for literary magazines, or discussions about Palestine via your social media channels.
Pitch to hello@shereenmalherbe.com
For more books on Palestine including my Palestinian children’s series, view my Book List.
April 12, 2024
Join me on Galloway’s The Mother of All Talk Shows- Sunday 14 April
I will be talking to George Galloway on The Mother Of All Talk Shows to discuss Palestine and my upcoming novel, Yassini Girls.
To read why I wrote Yassini Girls, visit my latest post about it here.
Join us live via MOAT’s on YouTube.
BlurbIn an ancient house behind stone walls in the Old City of Jerusalem, an unexpected phone call reignites a past Fatima has long buried. Thousands of miles away in the British countryside, a family heirloom buried beneath an attic floor forces Layla to journey into the darkest parts of Palestinian history. Separated by distance and time, the lives of these two women are stitched together in a way neither of them could have imagined.
Yassini Girls is a multi-generational novel that explores trauma, belonging, and preserving tradition against all odds to secure our present. Based on the author’s own experience following a BBC documentary film, Yassini Girls reminds us how our past will always be part of our future.
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 2024
April 4, 2024
Yassini Girls- A true Palestinian story that ricochets between generations.
My Amu & my Tata with me as a young girl in Ariyha, PalestineThat’s me. A Yassini GirlDear readers,
It is not with any fanfare that I announce my upcoming novel, Yassini Girls because of the devastating ongoing genocide in Gaza; a genocide that follows the systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians that has occurred for decades. Instead, I introduce to you Yassini Girls my most personal novel yet; a semi-autobiographical version of my family’s story. Of my Tata’s story.
I wrote this novel following my appearance on the BBC documentary film, The Holy Land and Us; Our Untold Stories. It was during the filming that I discovered my Tata’s true history and one that resonates with my present and our future.
After appearing on The Today Show to discuss my novel, The Land Beneath the Light; a Palestinian reimagining of Jane Eyre, I mentioned to the presenter, Ayesha Tariq that I had just discovered that my Tata was not from Ariyha, Jericho as I had originally thought. She was in fact from Deir Yassin.
The show was aired live and unbeknownst to me at the time, the BBC Director was watching and subsequently got in touch asking me if I would like to discover my Tata’s history as part of a wider film based on events around 1948. And so the journey continued.
Many of my family’s stories were omitted from the BBC documentary; the historian I met and the research team did a watertight job of unearthing what happened based on the truth. This was something that had never happened before on mainstream TV- the Nakba (as many of us already knew) was undeniably true, and now it was being aired on mainstream British TV.
It is now more crucial than ever that Palestinian stories are read and understood. Islamophobia is at its highest point ever and we are seeing this because of decades of dehumanization of Muslim identity resulting in a horrific genocide the world is watching unfold to our Palestinian brother’s and sisters in Gaza. This has occurred through mainstream media, books, films, series, documentaries; everything and everything that is aired that displays negative, incorrect stereotypes of Muslim people; and there is plenty of them. We are inundated. This has not happened in a vacuum; this is part of a systematic erasure of the value of Muslim lives that I have been writing about for the past ten years.
Like millions of others, I am calling for change. For media and narratives to reflect the truth.We cannot understand a culture or a people without understanding their deep traditions, their links to the land, and their history. Even those who have the blessing of visiting Palestine rarely get to see the lives lived inside the houses of Palestinian families. My books are written to help the world to see that…Yassini Girls offers the most intimate portrayal yet.The media reviews on BBC Documentary and several articles were published after its release. Here are links to a few:
BBC broke the Nakba taboo – but still cheated Palestinians
To date, I have not answered any questions about this as I spent time unpacking exactly how I felt about it all.
I explore this all in my upcoming novel, Yassini Girls published this Summer 2024.
Get involvedYou can get involved by selecting Yassini Girls for book groups, schools and colleges and to request copies for book stores and stockists to have available on its release. You can share this post on your social media.
You can also host the author on your own social media channels to spread the word on the upcoming publication and register your interest in buying a copy by pre-ordering when the link is out by subscribing and receiving the earliest updates and news of its release.
Follow to be one of the first to see the cover reveal and blurb. Coming soon.
This is a conversation the world needs to hear.
For any press or media enquiries, or a copy of the Press Release , please email me at hello@shereenmalherbe.com
In response to DMC’s statement on Gaza on April 1, 2024, from Palestinian culture workers, cooperatives and institutions dedicated to preserving Palestinian embroidery & art history- By Wafa Ghnaim
Reposted from TatreezandTea.com
Announcements, The Latest in Tatreezing
Posted by DMC (@dmc_embroidery) on April 1, 2024
In response to DMC’s statement on Gaza on April 1, 2024FROM PALESTINIAN CULTURE WORKERS, COOPERATIVES AND INSTITUTIONS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING PALESTINIAN EMBROIDERY & ART HISTORYFirst, it grieves us to say that amidst our collective trauma of waking up every day to images of atrocities inflicted on our people, and with each dawn bringing more pain, we struggle to find solace or reassurance in your statement.
The relationship between DMC and Palestinian embroiderers goes back to nearly a century ago. Since the 1920s, Palestinian embroiderers have regarded DMC threads and materials as integral to the art of embroidery, and this weak statement served as a bitter blow.
Labelling the situation in Gaza as a mere ‘crisis’ fails to capture the magnitude of suffering endured by its people and evades identifying a perpetrator or context, adopting a stance that lacks courage and drifts in ambiguity.
It is clear from countless testimonies, as well as to the International Court of Justice, United Nations, and numerous international organizations that Israel’s actions in Gaza are so grave that they amount to plausible genocide of the Palestinian people.
Second, to preserve Palestinian embroidery means to keep Palestinians alive. To preserve Palestinian embroidery is to honor the hands and bodies that made them. We are disheartened that your statement does not acknowledge the enormous loss of Palestinian life over the past six months; it does not even use the word Palestine or Palestinians.
Third, while we support including Palestinian embroidery in your design library, 3 of the 5 designs selected do not belong to Palestine. They are European.
Had you consulted Palestinian culture workers in your response, we could have shared that the remaining designs were from Ramallah and Hebron (Al Khalil). Surely, such information would enrich your design library.
Moreover, inclusion of a design from Gaza at such a tragic time would have been a meaningful contribution by DMC.
Fourth, we are concerned that you have not defined “tatreez” in your statement or design library, and instead seem to be using it interchangeably with “Palestinian.” Tatreez, which means “embroidery” in Arabic, has come to refer to Palestinian embroidery, carrying deep cultural significance. Neglecting this context risks contributing to cultural erasure.
Fifth, your mention of UNESCO needs clarification. UNESCO did not acknowledge Palestinian embroidery as a world heritage craft in 2021, as your statement indicates. Instead, UNESCO inscribed the art of embroidery in Palestine, encompassing our practices, skills, knowledge, and rituals, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 2021 (16. COM) session.
We are left completely baffled by your paraphrasing, which omitted any mention of Palestine and the Palestinian people.
Finally, it is, of course, admirable that you are donating to the International Red Cross. However, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that Israel is actively preventing aid from reaching people in Gaza as a form of collective punishment. The people of Gaza are being starved, and as of yesterday at least 23 out of the 27 people who’ve died from starvation are children and babies.
Genuine solidarity encompasses speaking out against this cruel and illegal siege, where reports indicate that severely malnourished babies lack the energy even to cry.
We believe that the recent statement issued by DMC was made with good intentions. However, it appears to lack understanding and sensitivity. The language and tone are inadvertently contributing to the dehumanization and erasure of the Palestinian people, treating our existence or mere mention as a political taboo.
We also believe that there is still an opportunity for DMC to offer a more considered response to the concerns raised in the petition entitled,
We welcome communication from DMC to support a more meaningful response.
Signatories:
Folkglory: Living Heritage Design
Museum of the Palestinian People
The National Institution of Social Care and Vocational training (NISCVT), Beit Atfal Assumoud
Tiraz Centre: Widad Kawar Home for Arab Dress
*Please note that additional signatories of institutions and culture workers will be forthcoming. If you are a culture worker or institution preserving Palestinian embroidery and art history, please email Wafa at wafa@tatreezandtea.com.
*To sign the petition that was organized by Lina Barkawi @linasthobe, please follow the link. This petition and signatories are delivered to DMC, and it is the effective petition which has demanded and obtained response the company.
March 29, 2024
Palestine films screening: The War Around US.
Reposted from Palestine Museum US.
Saturday March 30, 2024 – Program begins: 12:00 PM US EDT; 17:00 Europe; 18:00 Palestine.
Film: “The War Around US,” by Abdallah Salem Omeish, Ayman Mohyeldin, and Sherine Tadros.
The War Around Us tells the absorbing true story of the only two international journalists on the ground in Gaza during Israel’s bombardment and invasion of the troubled Palestinian territory over a three-week period in 2008-9.
Please click here to register to watch the film.
March 24, 2024
Join our global read-aloud! The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds- new Palestinian children’s book- OUT NOW
Everyone is welcome! Join the first ever global read-aloud of the newly published Palestinian children’s book, The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds.
In partnership with Islamic Curriculum Initiative (ICI) join us via Ramadan Connect, who will be hosting this session for all. There is no need to register. Just click on the link and join us for a Palestinian Ramadan read-aloud wherever in the world you are!
‘The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds helps children navigate their roots for a more assured future. Inspirational for all, it is especially poignant for the diaspora.’
Follow the journey of Noor as she returns to her heritage homeland of Palestine to discover where in the world she belongs.
In addition to amplifying Palestinian narratives, this book also represents Muslim children so they can see themselves positively in the books they read.
‘At the end of 2022, an estimated 43.3 million’ (UNICEF) children have been forcibly displaced, making up ‘40 per cent’ of all displaced people living today.
Through the migrant child series, we introduce children to celebrate their differences and their heritage no matter where in the world they are.
Blurb:Noor is excited to discover she will be returning home to Palestine.
Noor had always dreamt of going back home one day. But that night, Noor felt nervous.
Will home ever be the same?
Where in the world does Noor belong?
The third outing of Shereen Malherbe’s lovable character Noor, The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds is an affirming story of identity and belonging.
Join Noor as she embarks on this journey of discovery no matter where in the world you are.
Join us in amplifying Palestinian voices by sharing and purchasing copies of The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds. To join the Read-Aloud click here.Tuesday 26 March 2024, 12pm CST/ 6pm UK/ 7pm Palestine / 9pm Dubai/ 12am JakartaGet in touch:For schools and trade discount email: info@beaconbooks.net
If you would like to request a read-aloud or would like any more information please contact hello@shereenmalherbe.com
Welcome to new Palestinian Children’s Book- The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds- OUT TODAY
PUBLICATION DAYDear all,
We are pleased to announce the publication of The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds. It will be the third book in the migrant children’s series, following on from the bestselling, The Girl Who Stitched the Stars. All of the three books are available in hardback and paperback from all major book stores and from the publisher Beacon Books.
‘The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds helps children navigate their roots for a more assured future. Inspirational for all, it is especially poignant for the diaspora.’
Follow the journey of Noor as she returns to her heritage homeland of Palestine to discover where in the world she belongs.
In addition to amplifying Palestinian narratives, this book also represents Muslim children so they can see themselves positively in the books they read.
‘At the end of 2022, an estimated 43.3 million’ (UNICEF) children have been forcibly displaced, making up ‘40 per cent’ of all displaced people living today.
Through the migrant child series, we introduce children to celebrate their differences and their heritage no matter where in the world they are.
BLURBNoor is excited to discover she will be returning home to Palestine.
Noor had always dreamt of going back home one day. But that night, Noor felt nervous.
Will home ever be the same?
Where in the world does Noor belong?
The third outing of Shereen Malherbe’s lovable character Noor, The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds is an affirming story of identity and belonging.
Join Noor as she embarks on this journey of discovery no matter where in the world you are.
Join us in amplifying Palestinian voices by sharing and purchasing copies of The Girl Who Lives Between Two Worlds.For schools and trade discount email: info@beaconbooks.net
If you would like to request a read-aloud or would like any more information please contact hello@shereenmalherbe.com
