#bahjat

My name is Bahjat. I identify ethnically and culturally as Palestinian, but am Jordanian and Australian by nationality with Persian ancestry (I’m still trying to learn more about the Persian part). I grew up in the Gulf countries: Abu Dhabi for 5 years, and Doha for 8. I knew since I was in high school that I didn’t believe in religion but couldn’t decide if I was agnostic or atheist. It did take me a while to completely abandon religion and publicly identify as agnostic/atheist (it fluctuates), especially when I was living in Qatar. I do wish I was a believer in something though, because I feel lost sometimes.

I am very passionate about pro-Palestinian activism and Arab politics. I am invested in actively dismantling all the antiblackness, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, etc. that exist in Arab communities. Building strong bonds and solidarity with other POC groups, especially Middle Eastern ones, is very important to me; I strive to be the best ally I can be for Middle Eastern minorities and marginalized people.

I hope to add substance to this page. Please call me out and hold me accountable if I ever post something problematic in any way. Feel free to contact me if you want to link up.

www.falasteezy.tumblr.com

Ayatullah Misbah narrates that Ayatollah Bahjat once said to him: “One day I was sitting in my room and could hear voices in the street outside. I went out and saw that my neighbor’s son was playing on the street when a beggar approached him saying, ‘I am a needy person. Can you please go into your house and get something for me?’

The boy replied, 'Why don’t you ask your mother if you want something?’

The beggar said, 'I don’t have a mother. You go and ask your mother to give me something.’

Ayatollah Bahjat remarked, 'I was struck by this conversation and the innocence of the child who had so much trust and faith in his mother that he felt that she could solve any problem.’