Al Bayyara
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‘Al Bayyara’ which means ‘the Orchard of Citrus’ has a profound meaning in the Palestinian conscious. ‘Al Bayyara‘ for Palestinians in general and those who are in Diaspora in particular, is remembered with nostalgia, since it symbolizes their homeland and stands as living and present figure of their righteousness.
Launching www.albayyara.com is thought to be a notable act as it marks the first official website for the Palestinian population in the UAE. It follows up with their news and activities. It further crystallizes their mutual relationships, in addition to establishing communication channels with other Palestinian population’s world wide.
Al Bayyara; a word that always reminded me of my grandfather’s orange garden and honey. Maybe because these were the first things he taught me what Bayyara is. I tasted that when my grandfather toke me for the first time in my life to visit Al Bayyara, in my village, Qaffeen - next to Tulkarem- in Palestine, early 80’s. I was very small then, and it was the first time I heard the word Al Bayyara.
One early summer day morning, riding behind him on his horse, it toke us less than an hour to reach Al Bayyara. He told me then, that one day this Bayyara is going to be mine, and I have to take care of it.
Now my grandfather is gone, and my Bayyara is gone. It is occupied and destroyed by the Israeli annexation wall, which they build crossing my family land, destroying everything.
The question is; will I ever get the chance to take my children�s to their homeland to visit my their Bayyara? Will I ever get the chance to show them and explain to them what the meaning of Bayyara is, just like how my grandfather did to me? I hope I will.
Israel has stolen all our dreams. Even words and their meaning only exist in our memory now, which will never be destroyed or occupied by Israel.
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5 Comments on “Al Bayyara”
That was touching…
I too was tought about “bayyara” by my late grandmothers and also by my aunt but I’ve never been to one, only heared about them in fairy tales
I’ve never been to Palestine either.
Speaking of words, here is what Babylon, an online dictionary says about “Diaspora”:
Diaspora [Di·as·po·ra || da?'æsp?r?]
n. Jewish exile, dispersion of the Jews to countries outside of Palestine (after the Babylonian captivity); community of Jews living outside of Palestine or modern Israel
Also dictionary.com:
Di·as·po·ra Audio pronunciation of “Diaspora” ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-spr-)
n.
1. The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel from the sixth century B.C., when they were exiled to Babylonia, until the present time.
2. often diaspora The body of Jews or Jewish communities outside Palestine or modern Israel.
3. diaspora
1. A dispersion of a people from their original homeland.
2. The community formed by such a people: “the glutinous dish known throughout the [West African] diaspora as… fufu” (Jonell Nash).
4. diaspora A dispersion of an originally homogeneous entity, such as a language or culture: “the diaspora of English into several mutually incomprehensible languages” (Randolph Quirk).
No comment.
First of all allow me to extend my regards to Mr. Sabbah who is working at this great website!!! In fact, marking our “Al Bayyara” was significant and we, PSC’s highly appreciate it.
We’ve chosen Al Bayyara to represent our activities to the world, because no nation on earth would have a distinguished identity which Al Bayyara gives us as Palestinians.
All are welcomed to http://www.albayyara.com, armed with their precious comments,requests and suggestions (^_^)
Doha,
Well done. I wish you all the best. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any help.
I wish I have the time to start such a project in Bahrain. Inshallah in the future if time and resources permit.
I hope that someday you will take your children to their bayyara, where trees will grow again.
And I hope that a two-state solution arises soon and in our day, so that orchards can replace the separation wall and the two peoples can live in peace. Inshallah and kein yehi ratzon!
I hope so, Rachel. Thanks