MPPM promotes Journeys of Solidarity with Palestine 2011

In 2011, the MPPM regained the initiative to organize a set of events, integrated in the Journeys of Solidarity with Palestine - 2011, around the date of November 29 proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine, recalling the time when, in 1947, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (II) which recommended the partition of Palestine into two states - one Jewish and one Arab - with a special status for Jerusalem, but never satisfied in relation to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Journeys of Solidarity with Palestine - 2011 adopted as its motto: "Freedom - Independence - Sovereignty."

The "Journeys" began on November 12 with the screening, at Algés Municipal Library, of the film "The Land Speaks Arabic", directed by Maryse Gargour in 2007. Julio de Magalhães (National Directorate of the MPPM) presented the movie and moderated the debate which followed the exhibition. In the end, were offered mint tea and cakes. This initiative had the support of the Municipality of Oeiras.

On November 19, at the Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer, in Alcacer do Sal, in a joint initiative with the Parish of Santa Maria do Castelo, was shown the film "A Letter to Sarah" (Mutaz Jankot, 2002) and there was a debate on the current situation in Palestine introduced by interventions from Ambassador Mufeed Shami, Carlos Almeida (National Directorate of the MPPM) and journalist Jose Manuel Rosendo.

Also on November 19, at the Cooperativa Cultural Popular Barreirense in Barreiro, there was a reading session of Palestinian tales and poetry by Natalie Nunes and Lina Soares, who also sang Arabic songs with musical accompaniment by Luis Reis. It was also shown a film with Palestinian folk dances. The presentation was given by Júlio de Magalhães.

The usual dinner with typical dishes of Palestine took place on November 25, at the headquarters of Grupo Sportivo Adicense, a joint initiative of the MPPM, the Diplomatic Mission of Palestine and that association. The Mozarabic Ensemble, integrating Baltazar Ramos and Eduardo Molina, played Arabic music. Ambassador Mufeed Shami and Júlio de Magalhães made brief speeches. Members of diplomatic missions of Arab countries attended the dinner.

The movie "The Land Speaks Arabic" (Maryse Gargour, 2007) was shown again on November 26 in the Auditório do Centro de Exposições de Odivelas, an event that had the support of the Municipality of Odivelas. Carlos Almeida (National Directorate of the MPPM) presented the movie and moderated the debate which followed the exhibition. Mint tea and cakes were offered to all attending.

The "Journeys" ended on 29 November with a Public Session Commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine held at the Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon. With the presence of many dozens of people and diplomatic representatives of Arab countries, Carlos Almeida (DN - MPPM) moderated the session at which intervened Ambassador Mufeed Shami, Isabel Allegro Magalhães (former co-chairman of the MPPM), Silas Cerqueira (DN - MPPM) and the archaeologist Claudio Torres.