QUICK FACTS
Date of Birth
1931
Tulkarem, in the Nablus area of the West Bank, Palestine
Place of Birth
Why Featured?
Widad Kawar is revered for her lifelong commitment to preserving Palestinian cultural heritage, especially traditional costumes and embroidery. Her efforts have been recognized globally, shedding light on the rich tapestry of Palestinian history and identity through textiles.
BRIEF BIO
Widad Kawar is a leading figure in the preservation of Palestinian culture, known for her extensive collection of traditional Arabic dresses and textiles. Her work highlights the intricate beauty of Palestinian embroidery and costumes, connecting them to the broader narrative of Palestinian history and identity.
LAST UPDATED
DATE
Monday, January 26, 2026
MAJOR MILESTONES
Key dates & turning points
Moving to Amman and beginning her collection journey
Publishing "Threads of Identity: Preserving Palestinian Culture and Heritage" in 2011.
Receiving the Prince Klaus International Award for Culture and Development in 2012.
Awarded the Directorate of Heritage Award by the Government of Sharjah in 2014.
Publication of "Seventeen Embroidery Techniques from Palestine: An Instruction Manual" in 2019.
CONTRIBUTIONS
What they did, and why it matters
Founding The Widad Kawar Collection, an extensive archive of Arab textiles...See More
Advocating for the preservation and modernization of Arabic dress...See More
Mentoring writers, journalists, researchers, and museums...See More
Publishing several books and articles on Palestinian embroidery and cultural heritage.
Organizing exhibitions worldwide to showcase Palestinian textile art.
Disclaimer: This chat uses AI to generate responses inspired by the profile content and publicly available information. It does not represent the real person.
Last updated
Jan 26, 2026
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