The Enlightenment Podcast

How The Sameer Project Saved Lives in Gaza | Ep 80 with Hala Sabbah

In Episode 80 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan are joined by Hala Sabbah—a London-based Palestinian of Gazan origin and co-founder of The Sameer Project, alongside Lena Dajani and Translating Falasteen. After losing her uncle, Samir Abu Salim, in an Israeli bombing in Gaza, Hala transformed unimaginable grief into action. Just four weeks later, she helped establish The Sameer Project, a grassroots humanitarian initiative that has since raised more than $21 million, distributed over 60 million litres of clean water, and established Refaat Alareer, providing shelter and care for displaced families with critically ill and injured children. In this powerful conversation, Hala shares the personal story behind one of the largest grassroots humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians in Gaza. She reflects on loss, resilience, community-led aid, and why ordinary people around the world have become essential in keeping families alive during one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. This episode offers a rare, first-hand perspective on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza through the eyes of someone leading life-saving relief efforts every day. It is an essential conversation about solidarity, resilience, and the power of ordinary people to make an extraordinary impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. Your support helps amplify Palestinian voices and enables more people to discover these important conversations. The Sameer Project’s Social Media: Website → thesameerproject.org [http://thesameerproject.org]  Instagram → instagram.com/thesameerproject [http://instagram.com/thesameerproject]  Substack → tr.ee/CQmEF4GgZW [https://tr.ee/CQmEF4GgZW]  Donations → linktr.ee/thesameerproject [https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject]  The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media: feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffeedlinks.link%2Fenlightenmentpodcast%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGniRsbWeecCFZMqvjFJMbMxH9HwjgE9RFxb3wv773SrE3eoGA3JIfAs5V9cs8_aem_6u40aJxaJNWCAQcDkUzv8g&e=AT0-hHrvDjEyJjsafCzwkQo1QeaHOmOe6aZtu-9VUPz9CAyBJl7TH94-CO2CMpAf1rf2SpaqU88NHPLGyEJjolXJmyOWrozkur0Dutyk8E7AKm6XDzEZgpSqKw] #Palestine #Gaza #TheSameerProject #HalaSabbah #HumanitarianAid #GazaCrisis #CleanWater #PalestinianVoices #FreePalestine #TheEnlightenmentPodcast #Podcast #HumanRights #MiddleEast #ChildrenOfGaza #GrassrootsAid

The Cost of Speaking for Palestine: Academic Freedom & Decolonization | Ep 79 - Randa Abdel-Fattah

What happens when speaking out for Palestine makes you a target? In Episode 79 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan are joined by Randa Abdel-Fattah—Palestinian-Australian writer, sociologist, lawyer, Future Fellow at Macquarie University, and the multi-award-winning author of more than 12 books. Randa shares her remarkable journey growing up as a Palestinian in Australia, becoming one of the world's most influential Muslim authors, and why storytelling has always been an act of resistance. The conversation also explores the extraordinary events that followed her disinvitation from Adelaide Writers' Week, where more than 180 writers—including Zadie Smith and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern—withdrew in solidarity, leading to the resignation of the festival board and the cancellation of the event. Together, they examine anti-Palestinian racism, academic censorship, media narratives, decolonization, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), freedom of expression, and why defending Palestinian rights is inseparable from defending human rights everywhere. If you're looking for thoughtful conversations that go beyond mainstream media coverage of Palestine, you've come to the right place. Randa Abdel-Fattah’s Work: Does My Head Look Big in This? → https://bit.ly/4xRmEi2 [https://bit.ly/4xRmEi2]  Discipline → https://bit.ly/4vDry0W [https://bit.ly/4vDry0W]  Ceasefire Now: A Zine About Action for Palestine → https://bit.ly/4gHpbVW [https://bit.ly/4gHpbVW]  Eleven Words for Love → https://bit.ly/43XqB7q [https://bit.ly/43XqB7q]  Randa Abdel-Fattah’s Social Media: Website → randaabdelfattah.com [https://randaabdelfattah.com/] Instagram → instagram.com/randaafattah [https://www.instagram.com/randaafattah/] X → https://x.com/RandaAFattah [https://x.com/RandaAFattah]  The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media: feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffeedlinks.link%2Fenlightenmentpodcast%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGniRsbWeecCFZMqvjFJMbMxH9HwjgE9RFxb3wv773SrE3eoGA3JIfAs5V9cs8_aem_6u40aJxaJNWCAQcDkUzv8g&e=AT0-hHrvDjEyJjsafCzwkQo1QeaHOmOe6aZtu-9VUPz9CAyBJl7TH94-CO2CMpAf1rf2SpaqU88NHPLGyEJjolXJmyOWrozkur0Dutyk8E7AKm6XDzEZgpSqKw] #Palestine #RandaAbdelFattah #TheEnlightenmentPodcast #FreePalestine #Gaza #AcademicFreedom #Decolonization #PalestinianVoices #BDS #HumanRights #Censorship #Australia #Podcast #MiddleEast #JusticeForPalestine

Christ in the Rubble: Munther Isaac on Gaza, Christian Zionism & Palestinian Christians | Ep 78

What does it mean to be a Palestinian Christian living under occupation? How has Christian Zionism shaped Western support for Israel? And why did Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac's sermon Christ in the Rubble resonate with millions around the world? In Episode 78 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Hanan and Shamim speak with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Palestinian Christian theologian, pastor, author of Christ in the Rubble, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and founder of the Christ at the Checkpoint movement. Born and raised in Bethlehem, Rev. Isaac offers a powerful perspective on Palestinian Christianity, Christian Zionism, Gaza, faith, justice, and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian freedom. This is an essential conversation for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Palestine, Christianity, and the role faith plays in the struggle for justice. Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac is a Palestinian Christian theologian, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and Director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac’s Work: Christ in the Rubble → https://bit.ly/3QpVnCL [https://bit.ly/3QpVnCL] From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth: A Christ-Centred Biblical Theology of the Promised Land → https://bit.ly/4vU7zKR [https://bit.ly/4vU7zKR] Christ at the Checkpoint: Blessed are the Peacemakers → https://bit.ly/4ejbWt9 [https://bit.ly/4ejbWt9] Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac’s Social Media: Instagram → instagram.com/munther.isaac [http://instagram.com/munther.isaac]  X (Twitter) → x.com/MuntherIsaac [https://x.com/MuntherIsaac] Facebook → facebook.com/munther.isaac [http://facebook.com/munther.isaac]  Website → Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice https://bipj.info [https://bipj.info] The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media: feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffeedlinks.link%2Fenlightenmentpodcast%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGniRsbWeecCFZMqvjFJMbMxH9HwjgE9RFxb3wv773SrE3eoGA3JIfAs5V9cs8_aem_6u40aJxaJNWCAQcDkUzv8g&e=AT0-hHrvDjEyJjsafCzwkQo1QeaHOmOe6aZtu-9VUPz9CAyBJl7TH94-CO2CMpAf1rf2SpaqU88NHPLGyEJjolXJmyOWrozkur0Dutyk8E7AKm6XDzEZgpSqKw] #Palestine #MuntherIsaac #ChristianZionism #ChristInTheRubble #Gaza #PalestinianChristians #Bethlehem #PalestinePodcast #IsraelPalestine #TheEnlightenmentPodcast

Noura Erakat: Palestine Is the Trojan Horse for Authoritarianism | Ep 77

Noura Erakat joins Shamim Sarif and Hanan Kattan on Episode 77 of The Enlightenment Podcast. A Palestinian-American human rights lawyer, Rutgers University professor, author of Justice for Some, and co-author of Confronting Zionism, Noura Erakat has become one of the most influential voices explaining Palestine, international law, and decolonisation. In this conversation, Noura examines why international law has failed to stop Israel's assault on Gaza, the growing gap between legal rulings and enforcement, and how Palestine has become a test case for the future of global justice. She discusses the ICC arrest warrants, the ICJ genocide case, Project Esther, attacks on free speech and academic freedom, and why the suppression of Palestinian solidarity movements is reshaping civil liberties across the West. Noura also reflects on Palestinian futurism, decolonisation, accountability after genocide, and why she believes Palestine sits at the centre of a much larger struggle over democracy, power, and the future of the international order. Noura Erakat’s Work: Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine → bit.ly/4e8dnJy [https://bit.ly/4e8dnJy]  Confronting Zionism: Decolonizing Palestine and Building the World Anew → Available on 2026 November Noura Erakat’s Social Media: Instagram → instagram.com/nouraerakat/ [http://instagram.com/nouraerakat/]  X (Twitter) → x.com/4noura [http://x.com/4noura]  Facebook → facebook.com/noura.erakat/ [https://www.facebook.com/noura.erakat/]  Website → www.nouraerakat.com [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nouraerakat.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTzlqMDhyNVFSOEc2Z01jaXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ovR5Ftt1TuX5ijYtei2MrgXeyc0ZdL1SMJydpLJ90hzQMWcIfuuU28yYaQg_aem_1-QRyIX7_VkQfVhjDno-GQ&h=AUDzISzf43aAGE2cgpshYTvo3bo8tk0i3ezwBxSIzbPv7eI6oy8CJVqLxKRk2y1ICRsPcju2HrK31ikKmtarKlqUuNvTtMU3PcV6wVEXHGf-JEvVsK9PDEJW3KeSiiQXRhASqKsZXPPO0I5_XZQA3Y64OQ] The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media: feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffeedlinks.link%2Fenlightenmentpodcast%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGniRsbWeecCFZMqvjFJMbMxH9HwjgE9RFxb3wv773SrE3eoGA3JIfAs5V9cs8_aem_6u40aJxaJNWCAQcDkUzv8g&e=AT0-hHrvDjEyJjsafCzwkQo1QeaHOmOe6aZtu-9VUPz9CAyBJl7TH94-CO2CMpAf1rf2SpaqU88NHPLGyEJjolXJmyOWrozkur0Dutyk8E7AKm6XDzEZgpSqKw] #NouraErakat #Palestine #Gaza #InternationalLaw #ProjectEsther #ICC #ICJ #FreePalestine #PalestinianVoices #TheEnlightenmentPodcast #HumanRights #MiddleEast #Decolonisation #PoliticalPodcast #PalestinePodcast

Why MAP Refused Israel’s Demands & Continued Operating in Gaza | Ep 76

Steve Cutts, CEO of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), joins Shamim Sarif and Hanan Kattan in Episode 76 of The Enlightenment Podcast to discuss why MAP refused Israel’s demand to hand over the names of its Palestinian staff — a decision that led to Israel deregistering the organisation in 2025 after more than 40 years of medical and humanitarian work supporting Palestinians. Drawing on his experience inside the UN and international institutions, Steve examines the systematic targeting of Palestinian healthcare, the weaponisation of humanitarian aid, the silencing of medical witnesses from Gaza, and the wider failure of the international system to enforce accountability despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes and collective punishment. Steve Cutts also reflects on hope, solidarity, international justice, and why silence in the face of atrocities becomes complicity. 📚 Hanan Kattan’s new book Palestine Revealed supports Palestinian charities including MAP. Get the book at www.palestinerevealed.com 👇 WATCH, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE to help amplify Palestinian voices and independent journalism. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) Social Media: Steve Cutts Linked In→ linkedin.com/in/stevejohncutts [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevejohncutts/] Instagram → instagram.com/medicalaidpal [https://www.instagram.com/medicalaidpal]  X (Twitter) → x.com/MedicalAidPal [https://x.com/MedicalAidPal]  Facebook → facebook.com/MedicalAidforPalestinians [https://www.facebook.com/MedicalAidforPalestinians]  Website → map.org.uk [https://www.map.org.uk/] Donate Here → linktr.ee/MedicalAidforPalestinians [http://linktr.ee/MedicalAidforPalestinians]  The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media: feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffeedlinks.link%2Fenlightenmentpodcast%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGniRsbWeecCFZMqvjFJMbMxH9HwjgE9RFxb3wv773SrE3eoGA3JIfAs5V9cs8_aem_6u40aJxaJNWCAQcDkUzv8g&e=AT0-hHrvDjEyJjsafCzwkQo1QeaHOmOe6aZtu-9VUPz9CAyBJl7TH94-CO2CMpAf1rf2SpaqU88NHPLGyEJjolXJmyOWrozkur0Dutyk8E7AKm6XDzEZgpSqKw] #Palestine #Gaza #MedicalAidForPalestinians #MAP #SteveCutts #TheEnlightenmentPodcast #FreePalestine #GazaGenocide #PalestinianVoices #IsraelPalestine #HumanRights #ICJ #ICC #UN #HealthcareUnderAttack #PalestinianRights #MiddleEast #Podcast #PoliticalPodcast #PalestineRevealed