The Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society aligns with the Peace Foundation. At the request of our board member, Stephen Spence, the Foundation has agreed to support the Alrowwad as a practical way of bringing hope and a pathway to peace to people who are constantly threatened by Israeli occupation and military and settler incursions.
Alrowwad was established in 1998 and is based in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem on the West Bank of Palestine. The guiding light of the society is Dr Abdelfattah Abusrour, who has been instrumental in encouraging young Palestinians to take an alternative path to violent forms of resistance – and build strength, dignity and hope for freedom and peace through beautiful, creative and peaceful expressions of cultural identity.
However, since 7 October 2023, Alrowwad has focused its efforts on providing urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in West Bank camps—distributing food parcels, supplying essential medicines and treatments for children and adults with chronic illnesses, and providing therapeutic milk for children.
Stephen Spence has visited Alrowwad and seen first-hand the ‘beautiful resistance’ their centre promotes through theatre, dance, and other art forms to encourage people, particularly young people, to engage positively and productively in promoting Palestinian identity through creative expression.
Stephen has supported the society’s efforts internationally, particularly amongst arts trade unions. A Friends of Alrowwad Australia is being established to complement the US and UK friendship groups.
You can learn more about Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society here and aslo here.
Donations can be made at www.friendsofalrowwad.co.uk/donate.html until an Australian option is available.