Meeting with the Holborn Asian Women’s Association (HOWA)

HOWA had invited the Palestinian women to meet with them after their sewing class at IA Community Arts Centre. They were welcomed and after introductions the women showed their visitors the beautiful handiwork that they were working on. They had also prepared a very delicious meal of Bangladeshi food, although they had reduced the amount of spices, being aware that Palestinians were not accustomed to hot spicy food.  

 During the meal they discussed many of the issues that affected women in Palestine. Their hosts were very interested and asked many questions as they were not aware of what life was like living under occupation. They talked about checkpoints, the difficulties of going to Jerusalem and visiting Al Aqsa mosque, how families were separated by the different IDs etc. They were very shocked to hear these stories. 

The new Director of Holborn Community Association joined the meeting. He was most interested in the activities of CADFA as he had spent much time in Egypt and the Middle East. He enjoyed practising his Arabic with the visitors and wanted very much to assist them.