MICAH News

On the 15th of May, Palestinians around the world mark Nakba day. This day commemorates the Nakba as it is the beginning of the Palestinian people’s dispossession of their peoplehood, land, identity and culture. Although the events of 1948 completely changed the Palestinian reality, the Nakba is not an event but a structure, hence, the Nakba is ongoing. The current genocide in Gaza, the violence in the West Bank and Jerusalem, the realities of Palestinians in historic Palestine, and the refugees in the diaspora, all stem from the ongoing Nakba. 

● God of Sumud (Steadfastness), we the children of this land have been facing erasure for more than 76 years. The experience of oppression and death continues from our ancestors to our children and now more than ever we ask: for how long O Lord? Help us understand that every life destroyed from settler colonialism is itself a Nakba. We thank you for the Holy Spirit which manifests in the form of Sumud helping us to keep our humanity, our identity, our fight for justice, and our faith. 

Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer - Sabeel Wave of Prayer (voice of Palestinian Christians) 

The Nakba (Catastrophe) is the expulsion of over 750,000 Palestinians (half the Palestinian population) from their homes and land, and the destruction of Palestinian society during the creation of the State of Israel – a destruction that continues today – the ongoing Nakba. 

We cannot hope to understand the present turmoil in Palestine/Israel - let alone achieve a just peace for all those who live there - without knowing where and how this world-shaking conflict began: with the ethnic cleansing of indigenous people from their home land. 

The main part of this event is the reading of the names of the depopulated and destroyed villages. As each village name is read a small flag is placed in a large map in the location of one of the villages. Those present are invited to take a turn at placing a flag. 

MICAH endorses this family friendly event. There will be a children's table.