Jesus of Palestine

Jesus of Palestine

His Humanity in Us

There are many discussions on the identity of the place Jesus was born in. It has proven to be a very controversial sticking point with both sides of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict laying claim to the land of Jesus' birth. This short essay lays claim that Jesus is Palestinian but his message of social justice, peace and humanity applies to all peoples.

At the time of Jesus' birth the region as Palestinia or Palestine and when applying present-day theories of national identity as associated with the land of birth, Jesus is Palestinian.  The claim that Palestine never existed needs to be reconsidered since there are several documents that attest to the visible presence of a region of Palestine. Ptolemy and Herodotus also label the region as Palestine or Paletinia. From coins, passports and historical narratives and  maps that clearly identify Palestine as a real location. This is a link to a map with Palestine or Philistia clearly labeled on it: http://www.loc.gov/resource/g7501s.ct002407/

Genetically, Palestinians are the descendants of the populations such as the Canaanites that inhabit the a region, Romans that occupied the land, and the Ottomans who colonized the area. Readers need to take note that over time populations are never static, but dynamic and consider a group of people never exclusively belonging to a race, ethnicity or nationality. It is considered a weak response to claim certain people are sole owners of a region. As a consequence, suggestions that Palestinians are not the original inhabitant and have no link to the land is not true. http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/09/17/the-palestinians-are-descendants-of-the-ancient-israelites/

Reza Aslam brings the point of this blog to a closure when he states that Jesus needs to be studied based upon the context of his environment more than religious scripture. The oppressive Roman occupation of Palestine, the growing material wealth between the classes and the culture of violence between the Romans and the inhabitants of the area suggests Jesus is a product of his time and thus a symbol of social justice for the general public.  Jesus's death on the cross was a defiant act at confronting social injustice in this world. The same steadfastness that embodies Palestinians today to liberate themselves from the yolk of Israeli political and economic oppression and social subjugation.  http://www.newsimpulse.com/watch-reza-aslan-crushes-bill-oreillys-book-and-gop-ideology/

This Christmas season take the time to continue Jesus's message and spare a thought to the less fortunate on Earth regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious or national affiliations. We are all Humans and are fighting to save Humanity!

~~~

Boycott for Peace! 

http://boycott4peace.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/boycott4peace

~~~

Use the buttons below to e-mail, reblog, tweet, share, or pin:

Palestinian Embroidery

Palestinian Cultural Heritage

Palestinian Embroidery

Palestinian embroidery is a powerful form of art that captures the rich historical significance of the Middle Eastern culture. Located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Palestine costumes have come to embody the sacredness of its role as gatekeepers of all that is prized in each civilization. Today, traditional clothing is primarily worn by the older generation of Palestinian mothers, and by the younger generations during celebrations and festivals. The Palestinian costumes have been widely cherished as a symbol of Palestinian resiliency throughout its history.

The A shape style of the dress can be traced back to 1200 B.C during the days of the Canaanites. The square chest piece and lower back panel are visible symbols adapted from Roman tunics of the seventh century. It does not take a lot to imagine the pride the Palestinian people have for their costumes for them to remain a living part of their heritage from antiquity until today. These cultural characteristics from past predecessors occupy a place in the Palestinian costume as the integration of cultures create the most beautiful masterpieces.

Designs of the Palestinian costumes tell their own narratives of Palestinian identity. The S pattern or the leach pattern indicates the importance of leaches in medicine for treating the ill, historically. The cup shape character on Palestinian costumes is often associated to Jericho, symbolizes the prosperity and wealth in years past. Costumes adorned with the interlacing patterns to represent Jesus and the four evangelists are indicative of the people of Bethlehem. 

In recent years Palestinian women have relied on embroidery as a source of livelihood. Incomes that have drastically decreased to the high unemployment rates of today, high percentage of men imprisoned in Israeli jails and high costs of living have pushed Palestinian women to supplement their incomes by working in embroidery. These women work from their homes for heritage and cultural organizations that then sell the costumes to the public. It is a replica of the British cottage industry of the nineteenth century that allows women to maintain a strong presence in maintaining family values and norms around the home while earning a financial living.

More insight into the cultural importance of  Palestinian costumes influencing medieval dress is found in this lecture given by Hanan K. Munayyer. http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5704

Images of Palestinian costumes are located within the website of the Palestine Heritage Foundation. 1. http://palestineheritage.org/gallery.htm
2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boEzq37Y64U
3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJXC046hzXQ

Visit these stores to empower Palestinian women by buying their handmade products.
1. http://shopinpalestine.com/index.php?cPath=9&osCsid=943372e28b077e54bbaa61de7741cb2c
2. http://www.sunbula.org
3.http://www.sunbula.org/sunbulashop/einside.php?id=95&linkid=95

~~~

Boycott for Peace! 

http://boycott4peace.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/boycott4peace

~~~

Use the buttons below to e-mail, reblog, tweet, share, or pin:

Oh My Father, I am Yusif

by Mahmoud Darwish

Father! I am Yusif
Oh father!
My brothers neither love me
nor want me in their midst.
Oh father, they assault me,
they stone me and
with insults they shower me.
My brothers wish me dead
so they give their false eulogies.
They shut your door before me,
and from your field
I was expelled.
They poisoned my grapevines,
oh father!
When the passing breeze
jested with my hair,
they all became envious,
outraged at you and me.
What have I done to them, father,
and what loss have I caused?
Butterflies rest on my shoulder,
wheat bows toward me
and birds hover above my hands.
What then did I do wrong, father
and why me?
You're the one who named me Yusif!
They pushed me down the well
and then they blamed the wolf.
Oh, father! The wolf is more merciful
than my brothers.
Did I wrong anyone
when I told about my dream?
Of eleven planets, I dreamt,
and of the sun and the moon
all kneeling before me.

A video of the poem being recited by Mahmoud Darwish with English subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNZpG7ox294

~~~

Boycott for Peace!
http://boycott4peace.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/boycott4peace

~~~

E-mail, reblog, tweet, share, or pin, using the buttons below: