The Edward Said Library

"I have spent a great deal of my life . . . advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people to national self-determination, but I have always tried to do that with full attention paid to the reality of the Jewish people and what they suffered by the way of persecution and genocide. The paramount thing is that the struggle for equality in Palestine/Israel should be directed toward a humane goal, that is, coexistence, and not further suppression and denial. Not accidentally, I indicate that Orientalism and modern anti-Semitism have common roots. Therefore, it would seem to be a vital necessity for independent intellectuals always to provide alternative models to the reductively simplifying and confining ones, based on mutual hostility, that have prevailed in the Middle East and elsewhere for so long." - Edward Said, in his book, Orientalism . . . finished this painting last week on the door of the Edward Said Library in Wadi Hilweh, Silwan - just a 10 minute walk from the al-Quds Old City. The library opened a few months ago thanks to Madaa Creative Center's initiative under its director, Jawad Siam, who I am very grateful to work with, learn from and be inspired by through our collaborative project of #iwitnesssilwan