20 July 2026: The Kamal Family Home: Palestine's First 'Home for Humanity'

What happens when a single home fosters the deepest principles of humanity day after day, decade after decade, despite every obstacle?

Welcome to the third day of our special film series highlighting the Arab Homes for Humanity honored on the One Home Journey in May-June 2026 across Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Today, we are profoundly proud to re-introduce an exemplary landmark that epitomizes a true Home for Humanity by catalyzing societal transformation for over 50 years: the Kamal Family Home in East Jerusalem. Officially launched as Palestine's first Home for Humanity on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2021, this sanctuary of love, justice, and fairness remains a living inspiration for the world.

A Legacy of Movement and Change

Built in East Jerusalem in 1936, this hospitable family apartment has seen the birth of 81 family members over four generations. But its walls have nurtured much more than a family; they have witnessed the birth and growth of Palestine's earliest and most celebrated women’s organizations:

• Women’s Action Committee (1978): Palestine’s first grassroots women’s movement.

• Women’s Studies Centre (1989): Working to transform victims of occupation into community leaders.

• Women’s Legal Aid and Counselling: A dedicated force addressing violence against women.

• ASALA (Palestinian Business Women’s Association): Supporting women entrepreneurs and cooperatives.

This home has also hosted vital gatherings for the Palestinian Democratic Union party and served as a meeting place for the international community. Uniquely, it has supported transformative movements that span grassroots activism, political leadership, and non-governmental, governmental, and intergovernmental sectors.

Led by Visionary Leadership

At the heart of this legacy is Zahira Kamal—a visionary leader, peace negotiator, former Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs, and a founding member and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Democratic Union. Recognized as one of the "1,000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize," Zahira also worked for years as a Physics teacher for UNRWA and led a research program for UNESCO.

Over the decades, this highly engaged family has hosted people from all walks of life, dedicating their home to forging non-violent, humane paths to peace, freedom, and women's leadership.

Voices of Transformation

Today’s featured video exemplifies the transformative power of this space. We invite you to experience the Kamal family home "live" through a fascinating launch program that brings together members of the Kamal family with distinguished keynote speakers. They share powerful testimonies about the impact this home had on their lives as women leaders and societal changemakers.

Hear the powerful stories of:

• Amneh Deeb: Active member of the Women’s Action Committee (founded 1978).

• Sama Aweidah: Director of the Women’s Studies Center (founded 1989).

• Fatmeh Mo'aqet: Former lawyer for the Women’s Center for Legal and Social Aid, current Secretary General of the Custody Fund.

• Ratebeh Alaedin: Member of the Fida Palestinian Democratic Union & Chairwoman of the Sharek youth organization.

• Dr. Abdallah Kamal: Zahira’s brother, Mathematician, and social activist.

• Azza Hasan Barakat: Zahira’s niece and youth activist.

• Moderator: Zahira Kamal.

Take Action Today:

• Watch the powerful introduction speech and the full launch video: Experience the Kamal Family Home Live

• Share this inspiring moment and provide your network with a living window into the history and future of Palestine.

  
  

Be inspired to turn your own home into a sanctuary of love, justice, and active community!