Badi’a Al-Nu’aimi and the Palestinian Cause

Badi’a Al-Nu’aimi and the Palestinian Cause

Mohammed Al-Mekhlafi
Writer and Researcher / Yemen

Badi’a Al-Nu’aimi would wander through her home like a butterfly, her tender age barely exceeding five years. With innocent eyes, she gazed at a picture of the golden Dome of the Rock, which hung in the living room. She often heard her father, may he rest in peace, say, “This is the Dome of the Rock in Palestine,” as he shared stories about the land, describing its beauty as if it were paradise.

These tales resonated in her imagination. Every time she walked through the living room, she would fixate on the picture, envisioning herself in "Palestine," where the roots of these stories had taken hold in her heart. As she matured, her feelings deepened until the day she realized she was not living on the cherished land of Palestine.

This realization marked the beginning of her journey with Palestine. Her persistent requests for more stories from her parents unveiled a special magic in the land, captivating her to the point that it became an obsession reflected in her writings.

Badi’a carved her own path in the literary world, passionately delving into the depths of Palestinian themes. In her early school years, she borrowed stories from The Green Forest series from her classmates, as she could not afford to buy them. These colorful, enchanting tales captivated her as a dreamy child with a vivid imagination. Unlike her peers, she embraced solitude, spending countless hours immersed in books, living the events and embodying the characters.

After finishing each story, she would rewrite it in her own style. To this day, she treasures some of her notebooks filled with those writings, which she considers priceless. School played a pivotal role in her early development, alongside the influence of her family.

On one occasion, her school organized an exhibition where she showcased a magazine in the English corner titled Intifada, authored by her. The magazine contained short reflections serving as commentaries on images related to the Stone Intifada of 1987, inspired by newspapers her father brought home daily, such as Al-Rai and Al-Dustour. A delegation from the Ministry of Education attended, and one member expressed admiration for the magazine and its content but ultimately set it aside and moved on.

The Core of Her Writings

Badi’a Al-Nu’aimi is a renowned Jordanian writer who has made the Palestinian cause the focal point of her literary endeavors. She believes in the transformative power of words, viewing her writing as a humanitarian and national duty.

Through her impactful narratives, she aims to highlight the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, amplifying their voices to the world and affirming their legitimate rights and authentic Islamic and Arab identity. She tirelessly works to debunk and refute the false narratives propagated by the Zionist perspective, thereby reinforcing the Palestinian right to existence and a dignified life.

Her literary style intertwines stark realism with poignant symbolism, skillfully revealing significant tragic elements, such as land theft and settlement, alongside smaller yet poignant scenes, like a mother clutching a pillow she mistakes for her child in a moment of terror as she flees from death. Such vivid imagery exposes the profound oppression faced by Palestinians, compelling the reader to question: What kind of oppression forces a mother to abandon her child, driven to confront a harsh and bitter reality?

Badi’a’s works transcend mere literary texts-;-
they are cries from the heart of suffering and sacrifice, calling upon the human conscience to recognize the need for change, justice, and equity. Thus, her writings transform into messages -dir-ected toward a global audience, urging an end to the injustices faced by the Palestinian people.

How Her Study of Geology Shaped Her Political and Literary Perspectives
Badi’a’s study of geology endowed her with a profound scientific and philosophical perspective, enabling her to understand the intricate relationship between humans and the elements that form minerals, rocks, and the layers that accumulate over time, preserving the history of humanity.

Reflecting on the origin of the first human, Adam, peace be upon him, it is noted that God created him from clay and commanded an angel to gather a handful of soil from the Earth, with its diverse colors and characteristics. This diversity among people—white, black, red, and yellow, as well as soft and hard—mirrors the richness of human nature.

The geological layers, with their accumulated history, resemble human memory and the wealth of experiences and knowledge it holds. Badi’a’s study significantly enriched her memory, which she drew upon when she returned to writing after a hiatus. This knowledge allowed her to shape her political perspective in her writings, utilizing various geological and environmental symbols to convey her messages, particularly in her first two works.

From Fiction to Documentation

Badi’a has made notable contributions to the literary scene. In addition to her four prominent novels—Butterflies of Death s Cocoon, Public Auction, When the Guns Blossom, and Hanthalah—she has enriched the literary landscape with critical works such as Labyrinths of Words and the Authenticity of Identity and Thematic Plurality in Contemporary Novels.

Before October 7, 2023, she was compiling a fifth novel she had been working on for years. However, with the outbreak of war in Gaza on that fateful day, she felt compelled to pause her novel and re-dir-ect her efforts toward documenting the unfolding events in Gaza.
Thus, she began writing documentary articles, later compiling them into a series of books. The first two volumes have been published, while the third and fourth volumes are expected to be released soon, God willing. She is currently preparing the fifth volume, hoping it will raise awareness among the new generation regarding the Palestinian cause.
How the Novel Transcends Narrative to Become a Voice of Suffering in Times of War
The novel stands as one of the most prominent literary forms reflecting human life in all its complexities, showcasing both triumphs and tribulations.

When the subject is Palestine, the events acquire a unique and intricate dimension that transcends storytelling to mirror a painful reality.

While Tolstoy wrote about War and Peace, we Arabs write about wars that have left us bereft of hope for peace, operating within a global framework shaped by an inverted triangle, with the United States and the occupying state at its base. Victor Hugo addressed the wretched produced by corruption in France, while we write about those suffering under the weight of Zionist massacres and ethnic cleansing.
George Orwell, in Animal Farm, described failed revolutions that failed to bring about real change, where the new regime proved worse than the last. Yet we write about liberation movements suffocated by a Zionism that bears no resemblance to our realities, illuminating the complexities of the Arab condition.

In the Middle East, we navigate life differently, burdened by a myriad of calamities, as if we reside in an "Aladdin s Cave" where challenges are inexhaustible.

Our novels reflect our critical perspectives on society and current events, particularly in Palestine. Everything we are today traces back to the loss of Palestine, which embodies the essence of our suffering and aspirations. Literature, at its core, is not merely a collection of words-;- it is a mirror reflecting the reality of life, empowering us to understand ourselves and our surroundings.

Writing Under Pressure

The writer faces numerous challenges in her literary journey, with material pressures and a lack of support from relevant entities, such as the Ministry of Culture and the Writers Association, posing significant obstacles. Many writers endure harsh circumstances, making financial support and technical assistance a distant dream, -dir-ectly affecting their creative potential.

Another challenge is the restriction of freedom of expression, which often forces her to resort to encoding in her works. For example, in her novel Public Auction, she faced the removal of nearly 25% of the narrative due to imposed censorship. This constraint leaves her feeling restricted, concerned that her literary message may not reach her audience as intended, raising pressing questions about freedom of expression and the effects of censorship on creativity.

Additionally, some publishing houses suffer from a lack of credibility, particularly regarding -print-ing schedules and book promotions. Authors frequently bear the repercussions of unexplained delays, adding further burdens in already challenging circumstances.

She feels disheartened by these issues, as they complicate her efforts to convey her ideas.

How the Decline in Cultural Awareness Reflects the Challenges Writers Face in Engaging Their Audience
The decline in cultural awareness within society mirrors the challenges writers encounter in engaging their audience and enhancing communication.

The lack of cultural awareness makes it increasingly difficult for literature to attract a broad readership, depriving writers of essential interactions with their audience. This decline in cultural appreciation poses a barrier to literary development, as effective communication between writer and reader necessitates a certain level of understanding and appreciation.

Despite these challenges, Badi’a remains resolute and determined. Each experience, whether positive´-or-negative, imparts a lesson and reinforces her belief in her literary mission. She aspires to transcend these obstacles over time, as writing is not merely a profession for her-;- it is a passion and a fundamental human need that expresses her vision of the world. Her ability to transform pain and adversity into a source of inspiration embodies the true essence of creativity. She recognizes that challenges are an integral part of the creative journey, and perseverance is crucial for overcoming every difficulty.

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