Palestine Timeline

Learning Objectives:

- To understand the history of Palestinian occupation

- To understand what Zionism is and the creation of Israel

- To understand what it means to want a free Palestine

Starter Activity: Warm up opening questions

Have the children move to opposite ends of the room according to their yes/no answers

1. Have you ever been to a protest about Palestine?

2. Are all Palestinians Muslim?

3. Are Palestine and Israel two separate countries? 

4. Is the fighting between Jews and Muslims?

5. Did Israel always exist

Activity: Palestine Timeline

Download Timeline Images

Create a timeline across a wall. For older children this can include the dates. Use the selected images to discuss each event working through chronologically and placing the images in order.

The timeline events have been extracted from the story Zain & Mima Stand for Palestine by Eman Kourtam, a brilliantly informative and clear read which can be used alongside. What’s going on in Palestine by Zanib Mian also adds historical context and details of the current situation.

Image 1: Masjid Al Aqsa

Masjid Al Aqsa is located in Jerusalem and is a mosque holy to many people. It is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Isra 17:1 and is a place where all the prophets have prayed. Jews, Muslims and Christians used to live as peaceful and kind neighbours together in the land of Filasteen or Palestine as it is named in English. 

Image 2: 1887 Creation of Zionism

Jewish people in Europe faced a lot of difficulties and were not treated well. A man named Theodore Herzl came up with a plan called Zionism, a belief that there should be a land only for Jews to protect his people. He decided that Palestine would be the perfect place and that the people living there would be forced to move out. 

Image 3: 1917 British forces colonised Palestine which means that they took control of the land. They later declared a statement of support for the establishment in Palestine as a national home for the Jewish people.

Image 4: 1941-1945 World War 2, Holocaust the murder of Jews by Nazis in Germany.

An evil leader called Adolf Hitler was very violent towards Jews. This forced many of them to move away. Some become Zionists and went to Palestine

Image 5: 1948 The State of Israel was established, Nakba

The Palestinians didn’t want the Jews to face harm and some of the Jews also wanted to continue living in peace but the Zionists who had begun to occupy the land were now stealing the homes of the Palestinians and forced nearly a million people to move away and run for their lives. The Zionists even changed the name of the land they had stolen and called it Israel. It was a catastrophe and is called the Nakba. Many Palestinians carry with them the keys to their homes that the Zionists took and hope one day they will return to live on their land once again. 

Image 6: 1967 

Another war launched by Israel and even more Palestinian land was stolen and even more people forced out of their home. Israel even banned people from holding the Palestine flag. But the creative Palestinians realised that the watermelons grown around them had the same colours, red, green, black and white! So people would hold a watermelon to show they will never forget Palestine! 

Image 7: 1987 Resistance Uprisings 

The Palestinians stood up bravely for themselves using everything they had to protect their families and homes. They did everything they could to resist the powerful force and weapons used by the Israeli army, to resist the occupation. 

Image 8: 2023 Gaza 

The fight to take over Palestine by the Zionists has continued through the years with Palestinians being squeezed into very small spaces and literally locked in between walls. Their food, electricity, water and medical supplies are all controlled by the Zionists. They don’t even have the freedom to visit family who live on the other side of the wall. It’s a very unfair way to live. 

We must do whatever we can to ensure that 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' Its a statement that demands that Palestinians are given rights and freedom wherever they live within the land covering the whole area between the river Jordan on one side to the Mediterranean Sea on the other.

Activity: What Can We Do? 

Islam teaches us to stand up against injustice when you see it. The Holy Prophet (S) has said "Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart."

- Peaceful Protest

We must march and make everyone aware and tell the whole world to stop the Zionists from stealing Palestinian land! 

- Boycott

We must be careful not to spend our money on products made by companies that support Zionism. You do not want your money to be used to make Israel even more powerful and bring harm to the people of Palestine. 

- Prayer

The Holy Prophet has told us that Dua is our weapon! We must keep praying for the people of Palestine to relieve them of the oppression they are facing, for justice to be restored and Palestine to be free.

Activity: Create your own Palestine Timeline 

Children can caption the images along the timeline and share what they have learnt. 

Download Timeline Images

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Christmas in Palestine: Cards and Flyers

Did you know that the 8 pointed Bethleham star is a Palestinian tatreez embroidery symbol that has decorated artwork for centuries. It also looks like a snowflake and is a pattern that you will find on lots of different Christmas items like jumpers and wrapping paper.

This year, Christmas is not being celebrated in Palestine even through it is the place where Prophet Isa (a) was born. This is because of the 20,000 people that have been killed by Israli forces over the last two months in a genocide that is still ongoing. 

Download and print updated 2024 flyers to post in your local neighbourhood or slot the handout inside christmas cards.

The QR code opens to the PDF of the booklet Injustice Illustrated by Friends of Al Aqsa which is a hand drawn booklet with key facts on the different aspects of injustice ingrained in the every day lives of the Palestinian people. 

Download Christmas in Palestine Greeting Cards 

Tatreez reference source: Palestinian fashion from ancient Canaan to a thobe in Congress

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Books for Children about Palestine

We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition by Reem Kassis 

Read a review by Islamic School Librarian

Listen to a reading of  'My Garden over Gaza' by Sarah Musa
Read a review by Islamic School Librarian

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:Eliyas Explains What's Going On in Palestine by Zanib Mian

Watch Storytime with the author: Zain and Mima Stand for Palestine by Eman Kourtam.

Read a review by Islamic School Librarian

A Little Piece of Ground by Elizabeth Laird

Online Bookstore UK: The Book Mart

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Injustice Illustrated by Friends of Al-Aqsa

Palestinians are the longest serving refugees in the world numbering 5 million people. Their lands are occupied; rights to movement restricted; access to water denied as well as education, health and work rights undermined.

Injustice Illustrated is a hand drawn booklet with key facts on the different aspects of injustice ingrained in the every day lives of the Palestinian people.

Download Injustice Illustrated

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Peaceful Protest

 Quran Verse:
Wa ya'muroona bil ma'roofi wa yanhawna 'anil munkar

Encourage what is right and forbid what is wrong 3:104

Activity: Protest March

A protest march is a peaceful way to make your voice heard and seen for causes that you stand for. It is important to take part as the Quran teaches us that we must encourage what is good and forbid what is wrong.

Activity: Make a Protest Poster

Holding a sign during a protest march is a free tool that helps your voice be heard. Make a sign to say what you care about and put a positive message out into the world! Choose a slogan that delivers your message well. Remember it has to be a short, bold sentence to fit onto your card. Design your poster in an eye catching manner.

If you go to a protest march about Palestine, you will often here the chant 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' Its a statement that demands that Palestinians are given rights and freedom wherever they live within the land covering the whole area between the river Jordan on one side to the Mediterranean Sea on the other.

Activity: Boycott

To boycott means to stop buying or using the goods or services of a certain company or country as a protest. Learn about some of the brands you should stop spending your money on as these companies actively fund what is wrong and go against Islamic values.

Activity: Learning About Palestine

Resources: Israel Boycott Guide

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Remembrance Day

Every year in the UK, the country comes together for Remembrance Day to mark the actual day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. 

 
"Lest we forget" is a phrase commonly used in war remembrance services to remind us not to forget the sacrificies people made during the war. 

Every Muharram we hear about the tragedy of Karbala that happened 1400 years ago. It reminds us of the values Imam Husayn stood for and the sacrifices he and his family made. True remembrance is to make sure we learn from history and act in the right way that the Quran and Ahlulbayt have taught us so that our actions bring peace to those around us.

Did you know that at least 2.5 million Muslim soldiers and labourers from all over the world fought with the British Armed Forces during both World Wars.12,000 Palestinians were also made to be part of the British army during the second world war to increase the numbers and strength.

 
Nowadays, people remember those who were lost in the war by wearing a red poppy which was inspired by the fields of poppies that grew where many of the battles were fought. The 'Anemone coronaria' poppy variety grows in abundance in the fields of Palestine during the spring months. The poppy is the official and national flower of Palestine. It also has all three colours of the Palestinian flag and the image is widely used as a symbol to free Palestine of occupation.

Resources:

National Muslim War Memorial

The National Flower of Palestine: Poppy

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Palestine Map Collage

Learning Objective:

- To learn about Palestine and understand why it's important

- To create a visual reminder to keep the Ummah in our prayers

Qur'an Verse: u’diluw , Be Just And Act Fairly (5:8)

Oppression is when someone uses their power or authority to treat others in a way that is unfair. This could be denying them their rights, freedoms, and dignity. Islam teaches us to stand up against injustice when you see it.

The Holy Prophet (S) has said "Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart."

Activity: Palestine Map Collage

1. Use the images to introduce and talk about Palestinian culture and the history of the land
2. Cut, stick and collage the images over the card printed map of Palestine 

3. Cut out the map following the outline on reverse.
3. Paste the map onto coloured card or painted canvas. 

4. Display prominently and use as a visual reminder to always keep the Palestinian people in our prayers and to do whatever we can to always stand up for injustice.

Download Palestine Outline Map

Download Palestine collage images. These can be printed individually or as a single sheet of A4.

Resources: 

How to talk to kids about Israel Gaza war by Noor Kids

Injustice Illustrated by Friends of Al-Aqsa

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Masjid Al Aqsa

Quran Verse: 

“Glory be to Him who made His servant go by night from Masjidul Haram to Masjidul Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed..” Surah Bani Israel 17:1

Masjid Al Aqsa is located in Jerusalem. It is not a single mosque but an area of land within which are many buildings. This area is also called Baytul Muqaddas and Allah tells us in the Quran that this land is blessed.

Activity: 5 Facts about Baytul Muqaddas

1. Masjid Al Aqsa is the only mosque, besides the Holy Kaaba, that is mentioned in the Qur’an.

2. Masjid Al Aqsa was the first Qibla for Muslims to face during salaa.

3. It was in Masjid al Aqsa that Angel Jibraeel told Maryam (as) about the birth of Prophet Isa (a).

4. The grey domed Qibly Masjid is where the Holy Prophet (S) led all the prophets in prayer on his way to the heavens during the miraculous Night Journey of Me’raj.

5. The journey of Me’raj began from the rock on which today stands the mosque known as the Dome of the rock famous for its golden dome.

Activity: Learning about Palestine 

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Learning about Palestine

Learning Objective:
- To give a brief awareness and history of the Palestinian conflict. 
- To understand the importance of standing up for justice.
- To know how to help

Qur'an Verse: u’diluw 
Be Just And Act Fairly (5:8)

Provide a clear visual by printing a Google image map of how Palestine has changed over time.

Use the key talking points from the article published by Noor Kids how to teach kids about Gaza.

1. Muslims lived in an area called Palestine for hundreds of years. We can them Palestinians. About 70 years ago, there was another group of people, Jews, who were treated very badly. The Jews moved to Palestine because it was safe.

2. The world gave the Jews a big portion of Palestine, calling it a new country, Israel. The world did not ask permission from the Palestinians before giving away their land.

3. The Palestinians, and many of their friends were upset at this. They fought against the Israelis. The Palestinians ended up losing even more land.

4. Over the last twenty years, Israel has continued to take more of the land from the Palestinians. Millions of Palestinians are now squashed into living in a very tiny strip of land called Gaza.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is a statement that demands that Palestinians are given rights and freedom wherever they live within the land covering the whole area between the river Jordan on one side to the Mediterranean Sea on the other.

Did you know? Palestinians were not allowed to fly their flag for 26 years so they used watermelons which share the same colours as their flag - red, green, white and black

Download and print facts to match map images

Use the simple analogy to discuss how you'd feel if you shared your room with someone who was homeless but they then got given more than half of your room and toys, without you agreeing. And further, every year, they would start taking away more and more of your toys and even start saying they're actually theirs!

Recall previous lesson on justice, and talk about the Quranic verse which teaches us the importance and need to stand up for those who are being treated unfairly. 

Talk about ways to help by learning about the situation, giving charity and remembering them in our prayers everyday.

Activity: 

Match the map images to the history time line or worksheet
Have the child retell the story in their own words to reinforce understanding.

Create a visual reminder with the Palestine Map Collage

Set up a fundraising challenge to help the cause
Use the prayers for children affected by war

Watch: Let’s talk about Palestine by Drama Mama

Facts about Masjid Al Aqsa 

Injustice Illustated by Friends of Al-Aqsa

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