A group of young activists produced an interactive walk-through exhibit telling the history of Palestine for an exhibition at Auckland's Corban Estate.
NZ For Humanity's Interactive timeline on Palestine Photo: Supplied
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A team of volunteers from NZ for Humanity, Preserved Identity and Palestinian Youth Aotearoa came together to present a detailed chronology of Palestinian history, art and culture.
The 100-metre walk-through exhibit explored the history of Palestine starting from 1799 up to the present day.
Photo: NZ for Humanity
Fatimah Ali and Mustafa Ali, a Fiji-Indian brother-and-sister duo, saw the concept from inception to finish.
For Fatimah, a criminal lawyer, it was the international law section of the display that drew her to be involved.
"From a legal perspective and human rights point of view, we wanted to highlight all the breaches and violations that took place and continue to take place in Palestine."
"After the recent escalations in Palestine, the forced expulsions of people in Palestinian families and the Israeli bombardments on Gaza, we thought we needed to do something to educate the public and invite them to a conversation they wouldn't usually have."
The display was dotted with a large number of historical photos from Palestinian Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities living in the region for centuries, dating back to pre-British rule.
"We had several thorough phases of cross-referencing, cross-checking and fact verification. I think I had some OCD moments there" she laughs.
"We wanted to present factual information and not opinions."
Photo: NZ for Humanity
A highlight of the exhibit was a set of antique traditional 'thobes' - Palestinian womens' robes - from Tuma Hazou's personal collection.
Tuma, a resident of New Zealand, is a former BBC Arabic journalist who is Palestinian and spent decades in Jordan and Palestine reporting on the region.
Fatimah hopes that the interactive timeline will be digitised and be presented in cities across New Zealand in the months to come.
