September 9th

Pondering Sumud

"I am from here, and here I am!"

A few months ago, my Palestinian friend and A Common Word Alberta Interfaith Dialogue partner Salwa, gave me a hoodie that has the words written on it: “I am  from here and here I am!” This is a quote from Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008), a Palestinian poet. Darwish captures the commitment of the Palestinian people to remain connected to the land they have been on for centuries, if not millennia – land that has shaped who they are through olive trees, citrus orchards, sheep and goat herding, and cousins – so many cousins.
 
Since August celebrates the signing of Treaty Six for those of us living in this territory, I am reminded of my Indigenous friends who have often reminded me that “we are still here!” – gathering for Powwows to dance in regalia and celebrate ribbon skirts and shirts, and who do the work of healing the land and the community through drumming, smudge, dance and ceremony.   
 
Both of these quotes capture the resilience of a people who refuse to be colonized. I have been inspired by two posts from Gaza that capture for me this resilience. One is an article from The Guardian on July 5 entitled:“Gaza’s musicians reopen bomb-shattered conservatory in tents”  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/05/gazas-musicians-reopen-bomb-shattered-conservatory-in-tents. The video embedded in this article shows young and old alike connecting to Palestinian culture through music. The other is also from The Guardian, July 25, entitled:  “Reclaiming stolen childhoods: Swimming lessons resume after three years of war”. The lessons take place in the ocean beach of Gaza.  This article can be found at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/25/swimming-classes-resume-gaza-after-three-years-war
 
One of the spiritual and cultural themes Palestinians often lift up as their guiding star is the concept of “sumud.”  “Sumud” translates as “steadfastness” but includes in its lived reality in Gaza and the West Bank the embracing of joyful resilience in the face of their resistance to oppression, domination, dehumanization, erasure, and genocide.  
 
In Edmonton, Alberta, for our fall 2026 Interfaith Dialogue organized by A Common Word Alberta, we will be exploring the Biblical teachings on steadfastness through the lenses of our three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We have chosen this theme to help better understand the “sumud” that undergirds righteous, steadfast resistance. This way, we, in Canada, can better engage in solidarity that honours the steadfastness of the oppressed, including the Palestinian people. For those of us with Palestinian friends, we know this steadfastness to be honest, yet joyful and hopeful. There is no room for hatred in steadfastness. But there is room for the vision of justice, equality, equity, and repair for a better future. And bringing this vision into reality begins with sumud! And sumud is amplified through solidarity actions and relationships.

May it be so!