Mona Hajjar Halaby
Preserver of Palestinian History
Date of Birth:
1950
Alexandria, Egypt
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Mona Hajjar Halaby is recognized for her dedication to preserving and sharing Palestinian history and culture, particularly through her memoir and educational work that highlight the Palestinian experience before and after 1948.
Brief bio
Mona Hajjar Halaby is a Palestinian-American educator, writer, and social historian. Her work focuses on documenting and sharing the social history of Palestine, particularly through her memoir In My Mother’s Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home. This book intertwines her mother’s stories of pre-1948 Jerusalem with her own experiences of returning to Palestine to teach, offering a deeply personal perspective on the Palestinian narrative.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Born in Alexandria, Egypt (1950s): Halaby was born to a Palestinian mother and a Syrian father, growing up with stories of her mother’s life in Jerusalem before 1948.
Moved to the United States (1970s): After marrying a Palestinian man from Berkeley, Halaby settled in California, where she began her career in education and writing.
Published In My Mother’s Footsteps (2021): This memoir became a significant work, documenting her journey to Palestine and her mother’s history, providing a vital link between past and present Palestinian experiences (IMEUInstitute for Palestine Studies).
Taught at Ramallah Friends School (2007): During a sabbatical year, Halaby taught conflict resolution in Ramallah, deepening her connection to her Palestinian roots and witnessing firsthand the impact of the Israeli occupation (This Week in Palestine).
Created the British Mandate Jerusalemites Photo Library: Halaby established this online archive to preserve and share photographs of Jerusalem before 1948, helping to document and maintain Palestinian cultural heritage (זוכרות).
Preservation of Palestinian History: Through her memoir and archival work, Halaby has played a crucial role in preserving the history of Palestinian families and their experiences before and after the Nakba (IMEU Institute for Palestine Studies).
Educational Advocacy: Halaby’s work in education, particularly her efforts in teaching conflict resolution in Ramallah, has contributed to fostering a culture of non-violence and understanding among Palestinian youth (This Week in Palestine).
Promotion of Palestinian Cultural Heritage: Through her writing and the creation of online archives, Halaby has promoted the rich cultural heritage of Palestine, making it accessible to a global audience...See More
Narrating the Palestinian Experience: Her memoir provides a personal and poignant account of Palestinian displacement and the ongoing struggle for justice, contributing to the global narrative of the Palestinian experience (Institute for Palestine Studies).
Engagement in Cultural and Historical Documentation: Halaby's active involvement in documenting Palestinian history and her participation in cultural events highlight her commitment to preserving and sharing the Palestinian narrative.
Date of Last Update:
January 7, 2025
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