11 Lives: Stories From Palestinian Exile

The 11 lives given voice here are unique, each an expression of the myriad displacements that war and occupation have forced upon Palestinians since the Nakba of 1948. At the same time, they form a collective testament of a people driven from their homes and land by colonial occupation. Each story is singular; and each tells the story of all Palestinians.

On June 6th we will celebrate these firsthand accounts from Palestine refugees with live readings, musical performances and a conversation around the making of this great work!

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Co-sponsored by the Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) and The Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center at The Graduate Center (MEMEAC) CUNY

Muhammad Ali Khalidi is Presidential Professor of Philosophy at CUNY Graduate Center, where he teaches and publishes in the philosophy of science. He has written on various aspects of the question of Palestine, including Palestinian refugee rights. His edited volume, Manifestations of Identity: The Lived Reality of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon, was published by the Institute of Palestine Studies in 2010. He has translated a wide range of texts from Arabic into English, including the collection, Medieval Islamic Philosophical Writings. He was born in Lebanon to a Lebanese mother and a Palestinian father.

Zaina Arafat (moderator) is a Palestinian-American writer and the author of the novel, You Exist Too Much, which won a 2021 Lambda Literary Award and was named Roxane Gay's favorite book of 2020. She teaches creative writing at Barnard College and The School of The New York Times, and is currently at work on her second book.

Adam Bakri, a celebrated Palestinian actor, rose to prominence with his compelling performance in the film "Omar." Showcasing his unique and versatile acting style, he has taken on a variety of roles in international cinema, solidifying his status in the industry. At present, Adam features in the Hulu series "Accused." He also shared the screen with Keira Knightley in the film "Official Secrets," which is now available for streaming on Netflix.

Najla Said has performed off-Broadway, regionally and internationally, as well as in film and television. In 2010, Said completed an eight-week sold-out off-Broadway run of her solo show, Palestine. She is the author of Looking for Palestine, a memoir. She is the daughter of Edward Said.

Hadi Eldebek is a musician and cultural entrepreneur based in New York City. He has collaborated with prominent figures and institutions in the Arts, Culture, and Education sectors, including Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad Ensemble, Harvard Graduate School of Education, The Kennedy Center, TED, Disney World Imagineering, and others. Hadi is the artistic director of The Brooklyn Nomads, a cross cultural band rooted in Arabic music traditions. His TED talk, discussing the importance of funding the arts and artists, has gone viral with over 1.25 million views.

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