In today's world, Ma'na an-Nakba has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide spectrum of people and organizations. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance or its influence on daily life, Ma'na an-Nakba has captured the attention of experts and the curious alike. In this article, we will explore the different facets of Ma'na an-Nakba, from its origins to its evolution today, analyzing its influence in various areas and reflecting on its importance for the future. Ma'na an-Nakba is a fascinating topic that invites us to reflect and question our perceptions, and we are excited to delve into its study in the pages that follow.
Author | Constantin Zureiq |
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Original title | معنى النكبة |
Language | Arabic |
Publisher | Dar al-Ilm lil-Malayeen |
Ma'na al-Nakba (Arabic: معنى النكبة), transl. The Meaning of the Catastrophe, is a book by Constantin Zureiq published by Dar al-Ilm lil-Malayeen in Beirut in 1948. The book defines the conceptual parameters of the Palestinian tragedy, which Zureiq terms al-Nakba, to describe the Palestinian and Arab defeat of the War of 1948. It was the first of many works by Arab intellectuals to analyse the reasons behind the Nakba. Many have claimed that the book took great courage to write, as intellectual freedom was challenging at the time.
The book was written during a ceasefire of the 1948 Palestine war and sold out that summer. It was re-printed in October that year due to high demand. Zureiq became one of the first to describe the developments of the war and to use the term Nakba (النكبة 'disaster' or 'catastrophe').
The book draws a broad outline of the 1948 war and the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Arabs in Palestine who were forced to flee from their homes. Zureiq goes on to discuss the history leading to the defeat of the 1948 war and its greater consequences for Arab nationalism stating that seven Arab nations failed the task of "suppressing Zionism" and lost "a considerable portion of the land of Palestine." He describes Zionism as a determined and influential enemy, meticulously prepared for prolonged struggle, claiming that Zionists possess significant scientific and financial capabilities with multiple international allegiances.
Zureiq progresses to discuss the causes of the catastrophe, establishing that the Arab nations are responsible for their ill-preparedness for battle, their disunity, and their underestimation of the strength of their enemy. He goes on to address the need to accept responsibility for the defeat and learn from the mistakes, warning to not place blame on the Jews, the British, the Americans, the Russians, or the United Nations. The book contains several observations that Zureiq warns could lead to an even greater disaster if the causes for the war aren’t addressed.
It was translated as The Meaning of the Disaster by R. Bayley Winder, published 1956 in Beirut (Khayat).
Title: Ma'na al-Nakba (The Meaning of the Nakba). By: Constantine K. Zureik. Date of issue: August 1948. Topic(s) addressed: كبة/Nakbah/Naqba/הנכבה (Arabic, "the catastrophe") expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 · First usage of the word Nakba for expulsion of Palestinians in 1948.