By Black Resistance In Palestine: Identity, Struggle, and Solidarity
Throughout Palestine’s history, some of its most iconic and courageous figures have been Afro-Palestinians. One such figure is Fatima Bernawi, a trailblazing freedom fighter born to a Palestinian mother and Nigerian father. She witnessed the Nakba at nine years old and joined the Fatah movement. Fatima became the first female Palestinian to be imprisoned by Israel for a planned resistance operation. She spent ten years in prison before being released in a prisoner exchange much like the ones taking place today. Beyond her resistance work, she also played a key role in establishing Gaza’s women’s police force.
The presence of African Muslims in Palestine dates back to the 19th century, when many arrived from countries such as Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Senegal after completing the Hajj pilgrimage. Some chose to stay, while others came intentionally to support the Palestinian struggle against occupation. Over time, Afro-Palestinians became an integral part of Palestinian society, with many residing in Jerusalem’s African Quarter also known as Little Harlem.
Among today’s notable voices is Shaden Qous, an Afro-Palestinian American activist and law student at Birzeit University. On January 6, 2025, Israeli forces placed her under an unjust five-day house arrest and later detained her. This wasn’t her first arrest she was previously expelled from Jerusalem for two weeks in October 2023. During her recent detention in the notorious Damon Prison known for systemic human rights abuses Shaden lost her father. Despite her request, Israeli authorities denied her the right to attend his funeral, releasing her only the day after.
Shaden’s outspokenness and activism on social media were cited as the reason for her arrest, with Israel accusing her of “incitement.” She was held for over a month before being released on February 10. She remains a key member of the African Community Society, an organization founded in 1983 that supports Afro-Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Shaden’s father, Mousa Qous, was a highly respected journalist, writer for The Electronic Intifada, and the executive director of the African Community Society. He dedicated his life to advocating for both Palestinian and Afro-Palestinian rights. In 1991, he was imprisoned for four years due to his activism. His leadership and legacy are still deeply felt within the community.
Afro-Palestinians live not only in Jerusalem but also across the West Bank, Gaza, refugee camps, and the diaspora. Figures like Lama Jamous, a 9-year-old Afro-Palestinian girl from Gaza, have gained international attention. Lama documented the horrors of war through a child’s lens, reporting on genocide, displacement, and visiting the sick and injured. Her voice reached a global audience, and even after being evacuated, she continues to speak out for her people.
Despite their critical role in Palestinian resistance and society, Afro-Palestinians have long been subjected to systemic erasure mirroring the broader attempt to erase Palestinian identity under 76 years of illegal occupation. But voices like Fatima Bernawi, Abdullah Abu Jaber, Shaden Qous, and Lama Jamous remind us that Afro-Palestinians are not only present but vital to the story of Palestine’s struggle, identity, and resilience.
In the fight for Palestinian liberation, the Afro-Palestinian community affirms that to be Black and Palestinian is to resist, to endure, and to be seen.
Written By: O.K Samson
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