Dr. Buthaina bint Abdullah Al Abdulghani, Chairperson of the Board of Hadara Foundation for Research and Community Development, delivered a powerful statement of solidarity during the women’s leadership conference “Safety Is My Right,” in which she affirmed the pivotal role of Palestinian women in shaping the civilizational and historical trajectory of the Ummah.
Palestinian Women: A Symbol of Sanctity and Steadfastness
Dr. Buthaina opened her address by affirming that the Palestinian cause is a central cause that is not diminished by the passage of time. She highlighted the distinguished record of the women of Jerusalem throughout history — from Lady Maryam, daughter of Imran, through the scholars and women of steadfastness, to the contemporary Palestinian woman whom she described as not merely a number, but as a maker of heroes and a guardian of identity and values in the face of the most severe challenges.
From Eloquent Rhetoric to Institutional Action
In a clear call to transcend the traditional frameworks of solidarity, Dr. Buthaina emphasized the necessity of transforming outraged feelings into “a state of active mobilization” to uphold the justice of the cause, stating:
“This conference must move beyond eloquent speeches and come to form a new Hilf al-Fudul (Alliance of Virtue) — one grounded in shared human values for the support of the oppressed and the dispossessed.”
Values-Based and Humanitarian Mobilization
She concluded her address with a global appeal to all free people of the world — across religions and languages — on the necessity of mobilizing material and moral capacities and exerting “every possible effort” to bring an end to the ongoing suffering. She affirmed that history does not forgive those who falter, and that moral responsibility demands the activation of every available means to protect human rights and restore the usurped land.
Date: 11 – 12 May 2024