In this episode, Abeer and Jen have a conversation with Shadia Qubti, a Palestinian Christian scholar and activist. In the conversation, Shadia shares about her experience being Palestinian with Israeli citizenship and the challenges and barriers that Palestinian women often face. We also discuss the Western church’s role in peacebuilding, practices for decolonizing solidarity, and the idea of seeking positive, constructive peace.

Shadia Qubti is a Palestinian Christian who has worked in peace-building and advocacy initiatives for 15 years. She is particularly focused on amplifying the voices and perspectives of women and other minorities in various ways, one of which was in the Women Behind the Wall podcast, which she hosted previously. Shadia was born and raised in Nazareth. She studied International Relations and English Language at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action at Trinity Dublin College in Ireland. Shadia recently completed a second MA degree in Interreligious and Indigenous Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, where she completed her thesis, "A Theological Conversation between Palestinian and North American Indigenous Understandings of Land." Shadia is currently working as the Community Engagement Animator at Trinity Grace United Church in Vancouver, Canada. You can follow Shadia on IG @shadiaqubti (where she will share her Master’s Thesis upon request). 

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Show Notes:

Women Behind the Wall Podcast

“Do Not Be Afraid–A Palestinian Reflection on Advent,” Shadia Qubti, Sabeel Cornerstone

“Palestinian Christians reflect on a Christmas like no other,” Shadia Qubti and others, Canadian Mennonite Magazine

“Land and People,” Andrea Smith in A Land Full of God

Galtung Institute for Peace Theory and Peace Practice“Timeline: Israel’s Attacks on Gaza Since 2005,” Al Jazeera (including the 2014 War)