Laila al-Haddad

Archive

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Museum of the Palestinian People (MPP)

Name/Title

Laila al-Haddad

Entry/Object ID

MTM.022

Tags

On View

Scope and Content

Laila al-Haddad (1978- ) is Palestinian author, social and policy activist, and speaker. Born in Kuwait and educated in the US, she lived in Gaza for several years begining in 2002, where she worked as a correspondent for Al-Jazeera and the BBC. Haddad has published several books, including "Gaza Mom" and "The Gaza Kitchen". In 2014, she was featured in Anthony Bourdain's CNN program "Parts Unknown" and served as his guide throughout Gaza. The episode, entitled "Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza" was the first instance of American audiences viewing Gaza within a culinary perspective. She and her family now reside in the US, where she continues to write, lecture, and appear in the media.

Collection

Making Their Mark

Cataloged By

Wafa Ghnaim

Copyright

Notes

Images/Bio Sources: http://www.lailahaddad.com/about https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laila_el-Haddad https://justworldbooks.com/authors/laila-el-haddad/

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

Laila al-Haddad (1978) is Palestinian author, social activist, policy activist, and speaker. Born in Kuwait, she was subsequently raised in Saudi Arabia and spent many of her summers in Gaza. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Comparative Areas Studies from Duke University, and her Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2002. At Harvard, she was the recipient of the Clinton Scholarship and the Barbara Jordan Award for Women's Leadership. After her studies, she returned to Gaza to cover happenings as a journalist. She moved to the United States, where her husband was living, in 2006. El-Haddad is the author of Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between and co-author of The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey, which was the recipient of ‘Best Arab Cuisine Book' award from Gourmand magazine, and a finalist at the 2013 MEMO Palestine Book Awards. She is also the co-editor of anthology Gaza Unsilenced. From 2003-2007, El-Haddad served as Al Jazeera English's Gaza correspondent and a regular contributor to the BBC World Service. Her coverage included the Gaza Disengagement and the 2006 Palestinian elections. She also co-directed two Gaza-based documentaries, including the award-winning Tunnel Trade. In 2014, she was featured in Anthony Bourdain's CNN program Parts Unknown and was his guide throughout Gaza. The episode, entitled "Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza" was the first instance of American audiences viewing Gaza in a lighthearted, humane, and ordinary light. El-Haddad is a frequent lecturer to student groups, academic faculty, community groups, and non-profits in the US and around regarding her work and experience. In addition, she dedicates her free time to volunteering with Syrian refugee relief and resettlement efforts in Maryland, as well as advocating for Palestinian rights through her involvement with various community and national groups, including the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights and American Muslims for Palestine. Awards include the American Friend's Service's Committee's Inspiration for Hope award and the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee's Literary Leadership Awards. Newspapers and magazines El-Haddad has written for include the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, International Herald Tribune, The New Statesman, The Daily Star, and Le monde diplomatique. She has also appeared on NPR, CNN, Aljazeera, and CCTV.