in besieged gaza first english library to open window to world
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

In besieged Gaza, first English library to open window to world

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today In besieged Gaza, first English library to open window to world

Mossab Abo Toha (left) and his friend Shadi Salem, who is helping Abu Toha set up the
Gaza - Arab today

Mossab Abu Toha has never actually left Gaza, instead devouring books as an escape. Now he is struggling to open the first English-language library in the beleaguered Palestinian territory.

“Send us books in English, new or used,” says the 24-year-old reading enthusiast on his Facebook page.

Abu Toha, like so many Gazans effectively trapped in the Palestinian enclave by Israeli and Egyptian restrictions, dreams of travelling.

“Freedom begins when one frees one’s mind,” says the young graduate in English literature from the Islamic University of Gaza, who shares his passion by teaching Shakespeare at a United Nations school.

“I have read dozens of books in English, and with them I can travel to every country in the world and through all periods. I feel like I am in another world.”

Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for a decade, while the border with Egypt is also largely closed.

Those who manage to take advantage of the rare Egyptian openings never really know when they will be able to return.

In a territory where even the delivery of basic necessities is anything but simple, literature is also a victim of politics.

“There are few books in English,” Abu Toha says referring to his project, and they “arrive well after their publication because of the blockade”.

Even the idea of falling back on electronic versions is problematic.

“The electricity cuts all the time,” said Shadi Salem, who is helping Abu Toha set up the project.

Gaza receives only a few hours of power per day due to chronic energy shortages.

Since the July launch of their “Library & Bookshop for Gaza” page, which has nearly 2,500 followers, the two friends say they have collected more than 200 books, including from American and European donors, as well as $2,000 (Dh7,343).

But delivery has again been an issue.

For months in 2016, Israel blocked the arrival of parcels into the Gaza Strip because they alleged its Islamist rulers Hamas were using it to send in weapons components.

The transfer was restored in December, with Abu Toha announcing joyfully on Facebook: “You can now send your books.”

For the time being, the 200 books received and his personal library — about 400 — stand on shelves in the family home in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

The goal is a thousand more books.

Of all his books, he highlighted three from American philosopher Noam Chomsky, who sent them to him personally.

In 2014, the Israeli military launched its third war on Gaza since 2007.

Among the sites hit was the Islamic University, with its English bookshop badly damaged.

“I was shocked: The Israeli army, backed by the West, bombed books in English,” recalled the young man who sports a trim black beard.

According to Mohammad Al Sharif of the culture ministry, around 30 libraries were partially or totally destroyed during the three wars.

There are 18 libraries in Gaza, with the vast majority of books in Arabic.

“Israel has allowed books to be imported into Gaza for the past year, but political books, for example, are still banned,” Al Sharif says

source : gulfnews

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

in besieged gaza first english library to open window to world in besieged gaza first english library to open window to world

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

in besieged gaza first english library to open window to world in besieged gaza first english library to open window to world

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 12:50 2017 Friday ,15 September

Fati Jamali received offer to participate

GMT 11:50 2017 Friday ,08 September

Ragheb does not intend to participate in drama

GMT 09:45 2018 Friday ,19 January

Syria threatens to 'destroy' Turkish warplanes

GMT 14:54 2018 Sunday ,07 January

Monfils predicts 'tough' Australian Open

GMT 12:13 2017 Thursday ,24 August

Qamar praises reactions to “Kiss My Lips”

GMT 20:38 2012 Thursday ,08 November

Iraq needs $1 trillion to rebuild

GMT 19:53 2016 Thursday ,13 October

Study: Egypt 'first date fruit producer' in world

GMT 13:33 2016 Thursday ,25 August

European equities slide in choppy trade

GMT 16:06 2011 Monday ,01 August

England lucky as France draw Spain

GMT 11:23 2012 Thursday ,02 February

Facebook files for highly anticipated IPO

GMT 22:19 2017 Thursday ,17 August

Opening of border to Qatari pilgrims welcomed

GMT 10:06 2017 Tuesday ,17 October

Cuba has duty to prevent attacks on US envoys: Trump

GMT 08:19 2017 Friday ,14 April

Nelly Karim in Luxor to stimulate tourism

GMT 09:28 2012 Thursday ,19 April

AD Sports to air UAE football in HD, surround sound

GMT 13:45 2017 Sunday ,30 April

Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor in Dubai

GMT 20:13 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Kuwait’s economic measures provided

GMT 22:30 2017 Friday ,29 September

Official underlines economic improvement

GMT 11:05 2017 Wednesday ,27 December

British navy frigate escorts Russian warship in North Sea
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday