REFÎF ISLÎM

Gaza – The journey of Saja Hamdan with books began when she first entered the middle school library. As she read books, she found herself in different worlds and read even more books. She discovered new worlds in each book.

Saja Hamdan always thinks about the words of Palestinian writer Adham Sharqawi saying, “Books are the passports of poor and oppressed people who are kicked out by embassies and expelled by airports.” As she read more literary texts, she wanted to write.

She received awards

23-year-old Saja Hamdan is a medical student, “My education doesn’t pose an obstacle to realize my dream.” She used to categorize books on literature, culture, religion, and many other topics according to her interest. “The books made me a writer. I have received many national and international awards such as the prize of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture for my text named “هشاشة (Fragility)”. The Fragility tells the story of a woman, who lost her husband.” Saja Hamdan is also the winner of the 2021 Journalistic Story (Features) Category given by Press House in Palestine.

Saja Hamdan talked about the year 2020 when the first coronavirus cases were reported in Gaza. She attended online reading courses and participated in national and international competitions.

She mostly writes about women

Saja Hamdan, who writes stories about women and the Israeli occupation, became the director of the Palestine office of the World Federation of Arab Intellectuals. “After the committee evaluated all my works and the competitions I participated in, I was selected as the director of the office to represent Palestine.

“Women should read books”

Women play an important role in the federation; Saja Hamdan said that they will support women to create pioneering personalities. “Women’s physical beauty disappears in time but mind, personality, and intelligence never disappear. Women all around the world should read books.”