Virtual exhibit maps Britain's historic role in Palestine

A group of artists and students have put on a virtual exhibition exploring the impact of British colonialism on Palestinians.

The online art display, titled Mapping Palestine, represents a creative critique of the geographical carving up of the Middle East by European imperial powers in the early 20th century.

Rosie Richards and Francesca Vawdrey co-ordinated the exhibit as part of their fellowship with the Balfour Project, a UK charity focused on highlighting Britain’s record in Palestine.

The fact that there is no appearance of Palestine on the world map equates to denial of Palestinian existence

Rosie Richards

They said their mapping theme seeks to highlight the UK’s historic and present-day impact on Palestine.

“Maps define and concretise territory and are inherently political and often contested. They create worlds and shape reality, legitimise and delegitimise populations”, said Ms Richards.

"The fact that there is no appearance of Palestine on the world map equates to denial of Palestinian existence and results in lack of awareness around the world of Palestine, its traditions and its history."

The virtual exhibition includes artwork from five different Palestinian artists, displayed on the web-based art galleries platform Artsteps.

The artwork Liberty is an expression of conflict and breaking free. Photo: Mapping Palestine

During the First World War, Britain and France secretly agreed to slice up and share the territories then under control of the Ottoman Empire. The 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement delineated arbitrary borders and fragmented the ethnic and religious make-up of the region.

In a bid to further weaken Ottoman rule, Britain promised a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine under the 1917 Balfour Declaration. The contentious Declaration reneged on the promise made in 1915 to the Arabs that they would be granted independence after the war.

In the post-war spoils, Britain governed Mandatory Palestine until 1946 before the territory was partitioned and the state of Israel created in 1948. In the Middle East, Britain’s actions are regarded as having laid the foundations for Palestinian dispossession and the on-going conflict between Israelis and Arabs in the region.

The artwork called Isolation is part of the exhibition. Photo: Mapping Palestine

Ms Richards and Ms Vawdrey hope their exhibit will increase awareness among British people of the crucial historical role their country had in Palestine.

"We believe that this is one of the key reasons why people do not engage more with this issue. We want to raise awareness of the on-going occupation in order to press the British Government to take responsibility for their historic role in the region.”

Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.

Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.

The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.

Stage results

1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05

2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08

3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time

4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t

5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t

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Where to apply

Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.

Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.

The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Kumulus Water

Started: 2021

Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid

Based: Tunisia

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If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

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UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

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