This session explores the deep-rooted historical relationship between the Arab East (Mashriq) and Arab West (Maghrib). It looks beyond the traditional paths of trade and scholarship to uncover the crucial social bonds forged by women. We examine how women have acted as a dynamic force in strengthening the ties between Al-Andalus, the Maghrib, and the Mashriq, simultaneously preserving and transmitting culture, weaving the social fabric, and safeguarding collective memory and identity through successive calamities.

The discussion also centers on the significance of Jerusalem in this historical narrative. The pilgrimage from the Maghrib to Jerusalem was a vital conduit for communication across the Muslim world, embodying a shared spiritual and civilizational identity.

From this context, we pose our central question: Have women risen above catastrophe? From the fall of Al-Andalus to the Palestinian Nakba in 1948, women have witnessed profound loss, displacement, and marginalization . Yet, they have also been instrumental in cultivating the values of steadfastness and sacrifice that preserve cultural identity. Their social impact, stretching from Al-Andalus to the present-day Palestinian experience, reveals how women, at the heart of crises, have carried the mantle of resistance, safeguarding history and memory against aggression and displacement.

By examining these two foundational catastrophes — the loss of Al-Andalus and the Palestinian Nakba—we will analyze the historical experience of the Andalusian woman to better understand the reality of the Palestinian counterpart today, recalling the stories of pioneering Palestinian women throughout history. We will also consider the role of our global collective memory in restoring the ethical and educational values that affirm a woman’s humanity and her social role as a living embodiment of steadfastness, especially amid the ongoing systematic destruction in Gaza.

Panelists:

Dr. Fadwa El-Haziti is a Professor of Higher Education in the Departments of Spanish and Chinese Studies at Hassan II University in Casablanca. A former visiting researcher at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and an expert affiliate with Qatar Debate, her work focuses on cross-cultural and post-colonial studies.

Dr. Basma Dajani is a Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Jordan. She has published over 60 research papers and numerous books on Arabic literature, culture, and pedagogy. Her current research is dedicated to uncovering the contributions of pioneering women patrons in Arab-Islamic civilization.

Moderated by: Ikhlas Ahmad, Engagement Specialist, Distinctive Collections

Date: 7 October 2025

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Language: Arabic with English interpretation

Target Audience: General public and researchers

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