Mahmoud Khalil Author Talk
About this Event
A revelatory testament of protest, courage, and imprisonment in America's deportation regime, Mavey Books proudly presents No Land to Stand On: Notes From Detention by Mahmoud Khalil, this evening will be impactful.
"I began this book while in detention and I finished it fighting a deportation order that may take me from my family. This is what it has cost me to tell this story. I wrote it anyway because I believe testimony is one of the few things that can make injustice visible before it becomes inevitable. My hope is that anyone who reads this understands that Palestine is not the exception, it is the warning. The rights we are losing were never only ours to lose."
Mahmoud Khalil is a Palestinian activist, writer, and graduate of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He has previously worked in development and international affairs with the United Nations, the British government, and several non-profit organizations in the Middle East.
In March 2025, the Trump administration unlawfully arrested Khalil, transported him thousands of miles away to an ICE detention center in Louisiana, and attempted to deport him— all in retaliation for his advocacy in support of Palestinian rights. No Land to Stand On is Khalil's revelatory and powerful testament of protest, courage, and imprisonment in America's deportation regime.
Mavey Books and CAIR Philadelphia welcome Mahmoud Khalil in conversation with Jude Husein for the release of his book, No Land to Stand On: Notes From Detention, with poetry by Lenna Jawdat (70,000: Poems), on September 25, 2026 at Friends Center, Philadelphia.
Jude Husein is an Arab American community leader, organizer, and strategist deeply rooted in Philadelphia. Born in Palestine and raised in North Philadelphia, her life and work are guided by faith, service, and a commitment to empowering communities.Jude serves as interim Executive Director of PhillyBOLT. She is the founder of Philadelphia Palestine Day, a TEDx speaker, The Philadelphia Citizen’s Activist of the Year, and an Arab America Foundation 30 Under 30 honoree.
Lenna Jawdat is a poet, writer, and psychotherapist based in DC on Anacostan land. Her first book, 70,000, blends memoir and documentary poetics with visual elements
Event: This author event will be hosted at The Friends Center 1501 Cherry St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 on September 25, 7 PM. Tickets are required for this program and include a pre-signed copy of No Land to Stand On. Doors will open at 6 PM and close at 6.45 PM. No late entry admitted. No walk-ins.
Reception: A pre-event reception will be held 5.30-6.30 PM. Reception features a personal meet and greet with Mahmoud Khalil and Jude Husein and bites of Palestinian cuisine. Lenna Jawdaat will be selling and signing books. Reception tickets include reserved seating to the author event and a book signed by Mahmoud Khalil.
Sponsors: The Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has provided critical analysis of the Middle East since 1971. Rabbis for Ceasefire organizes rabbis and other Jewish clergy to realize wrabbell-being for all people. Fridays @ Fetterman serves as the only weekly protest in Philadelphia calling for an end to the war in Gaza. Jewish Voices for Peace Philadelphia (JVP Philadelphia) is the Philadelphia chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace, an organization with over 700,000 members and supporters and 70+ local organizing groups across the U.S. seeking to achieve a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis based on equality, human rights, and freedom. Jude Husein for City Councel at-Large champions advocacy, community corridors, delivering results while bringing Philadelphia together. Beaumonde Originals is a socially responsible photography company serving web, commercial, and motion design. Philadelphia Palestinian Americans champions Palestinian culture in the greater Philadelphia region. Mennonite Action Philadelphia is a movement taking public action for Palestine. Friends of Sabeel North America is an interndenominational Christian org advocating for peace in Palestine. Reclaim Philadelphia builds community to advance economic, racial, and gender justice. American Friends of Combatants for Peace advocates for nonviolent direct action to advance a just peace in Israel and Palestine. Up Against the Law: Legal Collective provides legal assistance to activists in Philadelphia. Center for Immigration and Migrant Support empowers refugees and migrants in Philadelphia with culturally-aware support. Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights advocates for just and equitable U.S. politics for Palestine.
Free Migration Project works at the intersection of law and community, advocating for freedom of movement as a basic human right. No I.C.E Philly advicates for immigrant rights within Philadelphia. Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the United States. WOOTI Center organizes Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, racial, and economic justice in Pennsylvania
Mavey Books serves the Main Line community around Ardmore with diverse and inclusive books. We are Arab-women owned and proudly so!
CAIR Philadelphia works to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Mavey Books will donate 10% of all online sales from tickets and books to ANERA, supporting orphans and families in Palestine.
To request accommodations for this event or to inquire about accessibility please email [email protected]. This venue is wheelchair accessible. We will make an effort to accommodate all requests.
All tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable.
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Ticketed Reception
🕑: 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Author Talk
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 25.31 to USD 158.70
