Humans are the product of their circumstances, and this is how usually heroes are made. In my opinion, everyone will eventually choose a way in which they stand for their people and cause, and this is also what happened with Naji Al-Ali. In this article, I am going to talk about how art is used as a powerful tool to represent and showcase the Palestinian cause, and its struggle. This article will also talk about one of the true legends in the art field, but first, we need to introduce him.
The usage of art throughout Palestinian history
Throughout history and especially after the Nakba, which is the Arabic word meaning catastrophe, many talented Palestinians used their talent to express and sort of document their struggle. Some chose writing, such as Ghassan Kanafani did. Some chose singing, like Dalal Abu Amneh, but in the end, they all did it for the same purpose, which is serving their cause. But what about Naji Al-Ali? What was his way to stand for his people? But before we talk about it, I will provide an introduction about him.
Who is Naji AL-Ali?
Naji Saleem AL-Ali is a Palestinian artist born in a Palestinian village called “AL-Shajra” in 1937. Naji was 11 years old when the Nakba happened, so he and his family were displaced. His family found shelter at a refugee camp in south Lebanon called Ain Al-Hilweh, and that’s how his struggle began throughout his childhood Naji’s talent in drawing began to show. His artwork captured the struggle and hopes of Palestinian people at the same time, which ultimately led him to gain popularity and sadly led him to face his death. On May 22, 1987, Naji Al-Ali was assassinated when he was in London by an anonymous person, it is no surprise that his fearless criticism was the main factor to his death. 37 years after his assassination Naji is still a name engraved in the memory of Palestinians, and so does his artwork still lives.
His early start
In his early years, Naji Al-Ali’s artwork was a raw expression of the Palestinian experience. Throughout his sketches and cartoons, he painted a vivid picture of the struggles and dreams of his people, giving a voice to their untold stories. His works served as a powerful reflection of the harsh realities endured by Palestinians. One day Ghassan Kanafani met Naji when visiting the camp, and Ghassan liked Naij’s work. So he decided to post one of his characters in one of the newspapers he worked for and that’s how Handala began to gain wider recognition. Despite this initial boost, Naji’s unique and compelling artistry ultimately earned him lasting recognition.
Who is Handala?
Handala is a 10-year-old Palestinian kid who got displaced in the Nakba and remains a 10-year-old kid until he returns to Palestine, made by Naji himself. This character represents a lot of Palestinians who went through the same experience, and this is why people found themselves in Handala. Even after his death, Handala is still present and has become a crucial part of Palestinian history, it is often seen as an inspiration to all young Palestinian artists. Handala is purely symbolic as he represents steadfastness, resistance, hope, and the enduring quest for justice and freedom.
This article written by Sadeel A Sayyed
