The Educational Research and Development Programme organised a cultural encounter on The Sword of Soil: A Raving Text, the first literary work published by teacher Mahmoud Assaf.
The encounter brought together Mohammed al-Bouji, Professor of Literature and Criticism at the Al-Azhar University, and Ghareeb Asqalani, a novelist. In the presence of Assaf, Al-Bouji and Asqalani discussed and commended the book, which featured more than one literary genre, such as story and thoughts. Al-Bouji and Asqalani invoked many examples of literary teachers, such as Muin Bseiso.
In the encounter, Assaf read some excerpts of his book and reflected on his writing experience. He said he started writing texts at an early age. He does not write for profit, but to reflect what goes through his mind.
Ula Badawi, Manager of the Educational Research and Development Programme Office / Child Centre – Gaza, stated that the discussion of teachers’ relationship with writing was important. Badawi also inquired about the extent to which the acts of writing and education are impacted by one another and the influence of both on the teacher’s identity and status.
Hana’a Al Shafe’e, CCG Library Specialist, highlighted that, by organising such literary encounters, the CCG aims at encouraging teachers to write and at appreciating teachers’ literary works of various genres.
Zeinab al-Sahhar, a participant in the encounter, said she hoped that similar encounters be held. According to Al-Sahhar, these cultural encounters introduce teachers as both intellectuals and educators. They also reflect the literary scene in the Gaza Strip in spite of harsh political, social and economic conditions.