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

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

Dr Ahmed Massoud on Training Palestinian Doctors Through Siege, War & Occupation | Ep 75

In Episode 75 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan are joined by Dr. Ahmed Massoud, a Palestinian consultant pediatrician, endocrinologist, and chairman of the Hanoon Foundation, a British charity that has spent nearly three decades supporting Palestinian healthcare and medical education. Through the Hanoon Foundation’s work, Palestinian doctors, nurses, and medical students have received vital training, educational opportunities, and support despite the immense pressures created by occupation, siege, and repeated attacks on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Massoud has dedicated his career not only to treating children, but also to strengthening the future of Palestinian medicine itself—helping ensure that expertise, education, and care continue even under conditions designed to break them. This is a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the long struggle to protect life under impossible conditions. Dr. Ahmed Massoud’s Work: The Hanoon Foundation → https://hanoon.org/ [https://hanoon.org/]  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] #TheEnlightenmentPodcast #AhmedMassoud #HanoonFoundation #PalestinianHealthcare #MedicineInGaza #FreePalestine #MedicalEducation #Gaza #HealthcareUnderAttacK #DoctorsForPalestine #PalestinianChildren #EndTheOccupation