[IPSM] {Rabble.ca} Al-Awda: Combining revolution with art

[Stefan Christoff]

Combining revolution with art
ÒThe only thing that can compete with the glory of a revolutionary act is
the glory of an artistic act.Ó

>by Macdonald Stainsby
September 9, 2004
{http://www.rabble.ca/news_full_story.shtml?sh_itm=4f0e67c1f9b4212968949525150fb8a5&r=1}

When the world learned of the death of Aisha El-Zaben, 55, a participant
in the hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners held by the state of Israel,
it was a sobering reminder of the tragedy of the struggle in the Middle
East. So too, is the music of Al-Awda, a band from Palestine whose members
were on a North American tour when the death was announced.

Having just recently finished the Canadian wing of the tour Ñ to Montreal,
Ottawa and Toronto Ñ the traditional as well as modern musical band is
enthralling audiences with powerful songs from Egypt, Jordan and of
course, Palestine itself from across the history of the 20th century. Once
they began to play the audience was hooked with powerful rhythm, even
before a note was sung.

The connection between the emotions of the music, the pride of a people
and the cultural experience of the audience was clearly on display in
Montreal with almost every seat packed, with dabkeh lines spontaneously
joining the performers on stage (dabkeh is an Arabic word for a
traditional kind of Palestinian folk dancing) and a crowd on its feet
chanting the pride and dignity of a people. Khaled Barakat, an organizer
of the Al-Awda North America tour explained this cultural-political
connection:

ÒMost of the music they presented is composed by them, by Bilal Badarneh,
the main composer of the group. We also wanted to show that part of our
struggle Ñ we are not just fighters, we are humans. We like music, and can
compose music and write poetry, and celebrate life and dance and celebrate
our humanity.Ó

The songs are set all over the Arab world, and all over history. Mohammed
Mohsen of the Arab Student Collective at the University of Toronto, where
the band also performed, spoke about the significance of playing a song by
Egyptian composer Sheikh Imam.

ÒHe was imprisoned for 17 years for writing dissident artwork against the
government. These songs are songs that we grew up listening to. The only
thing that can compete with the glory of a revolutionary act is the glory
of an artistic act. To combine both is something that leaves me speechless
every time I experience it.Ó

The eight-piece band, formed in 1997 under the original name of Layalina,
includes the oud and the Kamanjah, as well as instruments that would be
recognizable throughout the West, such as a guitar and drums. I was able
to speak with Al-Awda's Tomader Switat, one of four vocalists but one of
only three who made the trip to Canada. I asked why the fourth did not and
was told that he had been denied entry at the border because his name was
Òon a listÓ of names identified by Canadian authorities as a
Òtroublemaker,Ó even though he has never been here. He was sent back to
his living quarters, in the state of Israel.

The six Palestinian members of the band are in fact, all passport holders
of Israel. They have Israeli citizenship and can travel to and from the
territory. But they don't wish to be called ÒIsraeli Arabs.Ó This message
is at the heart of their message to North Americans of all backgrounds.

ÒCall us Palestinian. Arab-Israeli only makes differences between us as a
people,Ó Switat said. ÒWe faced [this problem] here during our meetings
with people Ñ they told us that you are Arab Israeli, or Arabs from
1948... but for us, we are simply Palestinians.Ó Her Palestinian village
is no longer there, but she says that she is from Jidin, and she only
lives in Haifa. I asked her about what she hoped would come out of the
trip.

ÒTo let the people know more about the Palestinians and how they live, in
Haifa for example, and not only the West Bank. We'd like to talk about the
discrimination we face in Israel, in every field: in the economy Ñ we
don't get money like the Israelis Ñ even our education is different.Ó

Why then, the name Al-Awda, which is the name of The Palestine Right to
Return Group? ÒWe believe that the right of return will be accomplished
[and] then many, many things will change,Ó Switat said. ÒAll the political
maps will change,Ó to which Mehran Dawoud of Al-Awda Toronto added:

Ò[The right of return] is sacred, more than just legal. It's a moral
right, sanctioned by international law, the UN, and denied by Israel.Ó

The other two members of the band are also from often neglected starting
places: the Israeli-occupied Syrian Territory of the Golan Heights, now
also under accelerated settlement expansion, much like the West Bank.

The groups hosting the events in Toronto and Montreal were Al-Awda North
America, the Coalition Against the Deportation of Palestinian Refugees
Montreal, the University of Toronto's Arab Student Collective and Samoud Ñ
a Toronto group trying to advance the conditions of Palestinian prisoners
held in Israeli prisons. Mostafa Henaway from Samoud said his
determination to support the concert was based on his own experiences
dealing with prisoners much like those who were on the hunger strike.

ÒIn the prisons when I was in Palestine, Palestinians would sneak cell
phones into the prisons and would be calling up the radio station in
Jenin. [The music] kept them going. It's always about more than one's
culture; it's about the struggle.Ó

Some people have said that a group of Palestinian refugees fighting
against deportation helping bring up the right of return is contradictory,
but Youssef Mahmoud, raised in Burj Barajneh refugee camp of Lebanon and
struggling against deportation out of Canada, disagrees.

ÒWe can't go anywhere, and the right of return, well, we don't have that
right. It's not a contradiction Ñ we are fighting for the same reasons:
for Palestinian human rights.Ó

Mahmoud explained his situation dealing with the Canadian Immigration and
Refugee Board. It seems as if Canada is determined to send him back into
limbo.

ÒI have two brothers in the camp right now, and I support them from here.
I have nothing to do there [...] In Lebanon there are over 70 professions
[refugees] cannot work.Ó

Darwoud added one very important note about the concert.

Ò[The most] limiting aspect was the language barrier Ñ what could be done
is a natural translation of the lyrics. The lyrics are very powerful and
show the connection to the land itself.Ó Here is an example.

from Song for the Golan Heights

between my homeland and me
a throw of a rock,
a jump of a horse,
a step over the guards' uniforms
and those who will accept humiliation once
will never live again.

from A song to the martyrs

he came back on his comrades' shoulders
they told us this story
and how he fought
his gun was there Ñ
his soul also fought.

The tour wound up after going through Washington DC, New York and New
Jersey. After this, Al Awda will return back to their living space, but
when they return to an actual home is up to all of us.

Macdonald Stainsby is a freelance writer from Vancouver, now living in
Montreal and studying at Concordia University.

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