Saleem Al-Naffar, a Palestinian poet in Gaza killed by Israel along with his brother and their wives and children—thirteen family members—in December 2023, wrote these lines that appear at the end of the epic film, Palestine ‘36 (playing daily thru Apr 15: Angelika Film Center at Mosaic).

From the land, we grew.

Our river birthed creeds and bloodlines.

Our rhythm has always been—die standing.

In spite of wretched planes

and all that life fractures, we remain.

Even if skies crush our land

our song sings on.

Naffar captured so much history, pain, and beauty in those few words: the land, its creativity and culture; the rootedness of the people of the land, withstanding oppression. Survival via sumoud (steadfastness), and even eternal hope.

 Saleem Al-Naffar visiting Gaza school, Oct 5, 2023

While the people of Palestine will determine what to do in the face of genocide and ethnic cleansing, we can bolster Palestinian hopes and steadfastness through our own solidarity. For Iqraa that means being present when possible, representing for a brighter Palestine, and specifically, funding education.

Education is the most powerful tool imaginable for survival and advancement, as scholarship enhances sumoud, generating a resourceful resilience. Education provides opportunities for personal growth and is a multiplying force for community strength.  

If you want to help, here are Iqraa’s upcoming events…we welcome your presence.

  • April 18 at 9:00 am in Anacostia Park: 5K fun run/walk for Palestine (link below)
  • April 22 at 6:30 pm at UPA’s office and by Zoom: info session for new runners
  •  April 25 at 1:00 pm at UPA/Zoom: info session for new runners
  • May 1 time TBD: volunteers to help with logistics for May 2 race: need 2 vols
  • May 2 Potomac River Marathon and Half: need 3 aid station vols at Lock 7 (C&O canal)
  • May 9 at 8:00 am at Peirce Mill (Rock Creek Park): first MCC training run (link below)

For the fun run or the Marathon Charity Cooperation training program, register at the links below. For everything else (to volunteer or RSVP for an Iqraa info session), just let me know.

Note about Marathon Charity Cooperation training: we/MCC typically start on the first Saturday of May (continuing every Saturday thru October), but that happens to be the day MCC adopted the Potomac River race (May 2), so we’re delaying the start of MCC training until May 9 this year.   

Our song sings on every year with this refrain: Running for a brighter Palestine!

Kirk