A SERIES of events are set to take place across Bahrain to promote Palestinian heritage, national identity and patriotism.
They will include exhibitions, poetry readings and plays with the aim of highlighting what life is like in the war-torn state before and after the Israeli occupation.
The first event, a cultural exhibition showcasing Palestinian heritage, will take place today from 10am to 7pm at the Ebrahim Al Arrayed Poetry House, Manama.
It will feature household tools used by Palestinians before the Israeli occupation, old forms of national dress and equipment used in the Palestinian occupied territories today.
"This is a chance for the public to see what life was and is like in Palestine and to share our experiences with the international community," said Palestinian community co-ordinator Rami Rasheed.
A poetry reading event will also be held today at 8pm at the same venue.
Palestinian poets Omar Zidani and Mohammed Qadriya will recite popular folklore poetry known as Zajal, which is most commonly heard at wedding parties.
Two Palestinian folklore groups will also perform productions entitled Haneen (longing) and Al Kufiya (the traditional Palestinian headwear) next month.
Both will be staged at the Cultural Hall, next to Bahrain National Museum, on February 6 from 8pm.
Haneen will be conducted by 17 Palestinian singers and musicians between 25 and 40 who will perform traditional Palestinian songs.
Al Kufiya is made up of 30 children between the ages of seven and 18 who grew up in Lebanese refugee camps.
Wearing traditional Palestinian dress, the children will perform silent plays that tell of their suffering in the camps and the story of every village in Palestine.
All events are free and open to the public.
Haneen and Al Kufiya will also be performed to an audience of VIPs and ministers the following evening at the Golden Tulip in Manama on February 7.
Palestinian Ambassador Taha Abdul Qader hopes the events will appeal to all nationalities.
"Palestinians must never forget their homeland and their own history," he said. "These events have been organised to teach the younger generations and remind the older ones about the importance of heritage.
"We hope that they will strengthen unity, patriotism and keep Palestinian civilisation alive from generation to generation. "Essentially, remembering Palestinian heritage is the will of our ancestors."
Mr Abdul Qader was born in Galilee in a village near Nazareth, was forced to leave for Lebanon with his parents at the age of two.
He has lived in Lebanon ever since, at first in a refugee camp and then to Lebanon's third largest city Saida in the south.
"I hope to be in Bahrain to see peace come to Palestine and I remain wholly committed to our cause, in and outside the country," said the envoy.
Mr Abdul Qader, who too arrived in Bahrain from Lebanon last October, has thrown himself into improving ties with ministers and government officials, as well as integrating himself into the Palestinian community.
"All the activities that have happened since I arrived in Bahrain could not have happened without the strong support of the Palestinian cause from His Majesty King Hamad and the Bahraini people," he said.
"There are more than 5,000 Palestinians here, some of whom have been here for 50 years or so and have Bahraini nationality and they are very well respected and recognised in their fields."
They are mainly employed as lawyers, teachers and doctors.
Mr Abdul Qader recently marked Solidarity Day with Palestinians in Gaza with Shura Council members and MPs at a symposium at Beit Al Quran, Manama.
Speeches were delivered by Shura Council member Ebrahim Bashmi, Mr Abdul Qader, Foreign Affairs Ministry Under-Secretary Karim Al Shaker, Royal Charity Organisation secretary-general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed, Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant Dr Nabeel Tammam and activist Khalid Bucheeri.
It aimed to stress the important role played by the parliamentary group in the promotion and consolidation of relations between Bahrain and Palestine.
