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Portrait of Hanan Ashrawi

Photo: Frankie Fouganthin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hanan Ashrawi

Advocate, Educator, Politician, Author.

Born
8 October 1946
Born in
Nablus, Palestine
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Why Hanan is here

Ashrawi's significant contributions to Palestinian politics and education, including her advocacy for human rights and democracy, have made her a notable figure in Palestinian history.

Their story

Hanan Ashrawi, born in Nablus in 1946, is a scholar, politician and activist. She earned a doctorate in medieval literature in the United States and led the English department at Birzeit University.

As spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation at the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference she became one of the best-known Palestinians in the world. She served as a minister and member of the Legislative Council, founded the MIFTAH initiative, and in 2009 became the first woman elected to the PLO Executive Committee, from which she resigned in 2020.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Hanan’s path.

  1. 1973

    Founding the Department of English at Birzeit University

    After earning her Ph.D., Ashrawi returned to the West Bank to establish the Department of English at Birzeit University, serving as its chair for several years.

  2. 1996-1998

    Minister of Higher Education and Research

    Served in Arafat's government but resigned due to concerns about corruption.

  3. 1998

    Founding MIFTAH

    Founded the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, advocating for peace, democracy, and human rights.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Advocacy for Women's Rights

    Ashrawi has been a vocal advocate for women's rights within Palestinian society and globally.

  2. Educational Reform

    Through her roles in academia and government, Ashrawi has been instrumental in promoting educational reform and academic freedom.

  3. Literary Contributions

    Authored several works on Palestinian literature and culture, contributing significantly to the field of Middle Eastern studies.

  4. Human Rights

    Through MIFTAH and other platforms, Ashrawi has worked tirelessly to promote human rights and democracy within Palestinian society and the broader Middle East.

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Hanan in interviews, talks and coverage.

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