Museum of the Palestinian People

Film Screening: Naila & the Uprising
2025-03-02 18:30 (America/New_York) | Museum of the Palestinian People, 1900 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
Film Screening: Naila and the Uprising with Producer Fadi Abu Shammalah
📅 October 30 | 📍 Middle East Books & More | 🕒 6-8:30pm
Join us for a screening of Naila and the Uprising, the award-winning documentary by Just Vision that highlights the vital role of women in leading the First Intifada. The film will be followed by a discussion with Fadi Abu Shammalah, one of its producers.
Abu Shammalah is an affiliate visiting scholar at Georgetown University and Executive Director of the General Union of Cultural Centers in Palestine. A lifelong resident of Gaza until 2023, he brings firsthand insight into the intersections of art, activism, and resilience.

Museum Closed (Holiday)
2024-12-31 - 2025-01-01, 2024-12-25

Artist Talk with Mohammed Sabaaneh
2024-12-18 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for a Zoom conversation with Mohammad Sabaaneh about his life in Palestine, art, and how the two intertwine.
Mohammad Sabaaneh’s art is on display at the Museum of the Palestinian People through February 2025.
About the Artist:

Mohammad Sabaaneh is a Palestinian cartoonist and a former political prisoner in Israel. He is the author of White and Black (2017) and Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine (2021), whichwon the 2022 Palestine Book Award. His new book, 30 Seconds from Gaza: Diary of Genocidewill be released spring 2025. He is a Middle East representative for the Cartoonists Rights Network International and has had his work published in the Middle East Monitor, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Al-Hayat al-Jadida and many others. He teaches art at the Arab American University of Palestine.
Sabaaneh’s art challenges the narratives imposed by the occupying forces by bringing to life the faces, emotions, and stories of those often overlooked. As he describes it, his art is a form of defiance against the erasure and dehumanization of Palestinians. By using stark imagery and powerful symbolism, Sabaaneh seeks to rehumanize the Palestinian people, affirming their identity, dignity, and rights as the indigenous inhabitants of their land.

Children's Reading Hour with Author, Simon Sakkab
2024-12-15 10:30 - 11:30
The Museum of the Palestinian People will be hosting Simon Sakkab on Sunday, December 15th for family mornings at the Museum!
He will be leading a story-time and a discussion beginning at 10:30 AM, followed by a child-led museum tour.
‘Palestine A- Z ‘:
‘Palestine A to Z’ is an English-Arabic bilingual, illustrated book for children. It has tempo, rhyme and alliteration; a joy to read for every generation. It takes the reader from the aspirations of a people to return to their homes in their homeland, through ancestral lemon and olive groves, ancient biblical cities, street foods, tents and refugee camps, to Palestinians’ rich history and culture. The author and the illustrators worked hand-in-hand to convey multiple themes and symbols in colorful and meaningful illustrations.
About Simon Sakkab:
Simon Sakkab is a first generation Palestinian-American. He learned about Palestine, first hand, from his grandmother, a Christian Palestinian, who with her family became refugees during the Nakba of 1948. He has visited many parts of Palestine, and has stories to tell about his experiences and adventures. The book is a labor of love. The author hopes that children of Palestinian descent learn about where they come from, and their beautiful, rich heritage; also, to inspire the curiosity of children worldwide, encouraging them to learn more about Palestine.

Museum of the Palestinian People's 7th Annual Dinner
2024-10-18 18:30 - 21:30
This event is sold out, but you can still support the Museum’s fundraising efforts by donating or participating in our silent auction.

Voices from Falastin - Second Show
2024-09-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Sitar Arts Center, 1700 Kalorama Rd NW #101, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
As we approach the one year mark since our people in Palestine showed the world that the Palestinian people will continue to resist against the occupation of our land, the Museum of the Palestinian People will be hosting Voices from Falastin, a performance that will honor and center the Palestinian voices and direct testimonies from inside Gaza and the West Bank over the last 365 days.
In just one year, the Lancet Report estimates the death toll in Palestine to be more than 186,000. As we continue forward in the diaspora and in Washington, DC, we vow to honor those who have been killed in the ongoing genocide and ensure their voices are heard across the world. In Voices from Falastin we will spotlight testimonies from Khan Younis in Southern Gaza to the testimonies of children illegally imprisoned in Israeli prisons. Each testimony vividly conveys stories of forced expulsion, love, despair and steadfast resilience. All the testimonies will be read and performed by Palestinians living in the DMV area.
On Sunday, September 29, we will host two showings of Voices from Falastin at 3pm and 7pm. Proceeds from the showings will be donated to HEAL Palestine and Anera to support the dire need for mutual aid in the form of medical treatment, food, shelter, and more in Gaza and the West Bank.
We hope you will join us as an act of solidarity for our people on the land who remain steadfast in their resistance against all odds.

Voices from Falastin - First Show
2024-09-29 15:00 - 16:30 | Sitar Arts Center, 1700 Kalorama Rd NW #101, Washington, DC, 20009, United States

Preserving Palestinian Identity (Day 2)
2024-07-13 11:00 - 17:00 | The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C., 20009, United States
On July 12th and 13th in the heart of D.C., we will gather for a two-day event dedicated to educating and uplifting the voices and stories of the Palestinian people.
As people from around the world take to the streets for Palestine, the Museum of the Palestinian People seeks to provide a space that renews our connection to each other and educates the public about who we are.
Even as attempts to erase our art, culture, and people continue, we invite you to join us for two days of solidarity in sharing the art of Palestinian resistance and الصمود (Samud, steadfastness).
Gather together in community for our two-day event, “Preserving Palestinian Identity: Art as Resistance” on July 12th and 13th in Washington D.C.
On Saturday, our community will come together for a family-friendly day of Palestinian history lessons, a Voices from Gaza Reading, art from Palestinian artists, Palestinian food, live painting, kite education and painting table, and henna tattoos.
Tickets: Free with a suggested donation ($5, $10, $20)
Register today!
Saturday, July 13th SCHEDULE:
11am-5pm
11:00 am – Festival Opens
Throughout the day at the tables:
First Floor

On Display:Art from Palestine and the Diaspora
Community Art Project
Kite Painting Table / Section
Traditional Palestinian Crafts Showcase
Henna Tattooing

Second Floor— Reading Nook

Live Readings from Hannah Moushabeck
Interlink Publishing Table, oldest Palestinian-owned publisher in the US.
Middle Eastern Book Store Table

Third Floor
Food by:

Chef Marcelle G Afram (Shababi)
Chef Jinan Deena (Bayti- Palestinian Hospitality Culinary Experience)

Cosby Hall Event Schedule

12:30 pm-1pm: Dabke Student Performance by District Debkeh with Free Dabke Lessons Afterwards
1 pm: Dabke Performance by Faris El-Layl Dabke
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Artist Ahmed Mansour speaks on his works
2pm – 2:30 pm: Musical performance by Mohamed Karzon
3pm – 4pm: Music Performance by Fuad Foty

Preserving Identity: Art as Resistance — Night 1
2024-07-12 17:00 - 21:00 | The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C., 20009, United States
Tickets for Friday are now sold out
On July 12th and 13th in the heart of D.C., we will gather for a two-day event dedicated to educating and uplifting the voices and stories of the Palestinian people.
As people from around the world take to the streets for Palestine, the Museum of the Palestinian People seeks to provide a space that renews our connection to each other and educates the public about who we are.
Even as attempts to erase our art, culture, and people continue, we invite you to join us for two days of solidarity in sharing the art of Palestinian resistance and الصمود (Samud, steadfastness).
On Friday night, Palestinian voices take center stage as we amplify Palestinian art and heritage that has been passed down for generations.
We’ll start the night with Bshara Nassar, the founder and director of the Museum of the Palestinian People, then reflect on the ongoing struggle for liberation through the prose and poems of Zeina Azzam and Mohammed Arafat. Malikat Al Dabka will then tell the story of the tradition and steps of Dabka before Ahmad Damen weaves together the tales of the Palestinian songs he performs with his musical talents.
Friday schedule:
Thank you all so much for your support
Be sure to check out Saturday’s all-day free event. Click here to register or scroll down to learn more.
5pm: Doors are open for check-in. Guests are invited to enjoy dinner provided by our generous sponsor, Falafel Inc.
6:15 pm: Opening remarks Museum Founder and Director Bshara Nassar
6:30 pm: Performances by poets Zeina Azzam, Mohammed Arafat and Lenna Jawdat
7:15 pm: Dabke Performance by Malikat Al Dabke
8 pm: Musical performance by Mohamed Karzon
9 pm: Event Concludes for the Evening
