Even before it could be purchased online, Sami Al-Ajrami presented his book “The Keys to the House” for the very first time last Thursday night at the Pahud Asylum Neighborhood Center.

Sami worked from Gaza for many years for several newspapers, including NRC. He managed to flee Gaza and currently lives in Cairo, Egypt. From there, he keeps in touch with friends and family who stayed behind.

Deze intense avond begon met muziek. Belal Al-Khatib sang and played two beautiful Palestinian songs that Sami himself also enjoyed intensely. Daarna volgde snel het interview dat geleid werd door Lisanne. Samen namen zij de bezoekers mee in een verhaal waar eenieder bekend mee zou moeten raken.

“The Keys to the House” is a chronicle of an immense tragedy, of daily life in the Gaza Strip destroyed by bombs, but at the same time it is also an intimate portrait of a family experiencing the tragedy of war first hand.

While the interview created silence and emotion, this activity was very special and very beautiful. It created insight, support and compassion, and visitors had the opportunity to purchase an autographed book.

We are more than honored that Sami was happy to experience this evening with us, and passionately hope with him that his story will be read by as many people as possible.