Connecting generations to the rich cultural and historical legacy of Palestine.
Al Mazraa Al Sharquia Charity Organization Inc. was founded by Abdul Shatara, a descendant of the ancient village of Al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya. Inspired by the deep connection to his ancestral homeland and witnessing the gradual erosion of its rich cultural tapestry, Mr. Shatara established this organization to serve as a bridge between the past and the future. Our purpose is to safeguard the stories, traditions, and historical landmarks of Palestine for future generations, particularly for the vibrant diaspora community seeking to reconnect with their roots. We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, driven by a passion for cultural preservation and humanities education.
Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the cultural and historical heritage of Palestine. We achieve this through a three-pronged strategy: **Documentation**, **Education**, and **Community Engagement**. We meticulously archive oral histories, digitize historical records, and document architectural heritage. We then transform this knowledge into immersive educational programs, workshops, and cultural exchanges. Finally, we build strong, lasting bridges between the Palestinian diaspora and their ancestral homeland, ensuring that the rich legacy of Palestine is not just remembered, but actively lived and celebrated.
What makes our organization unique is our focus on creating a **Living Heritage**. We don’t just preserve artifacts in a museum; we revive traditions and reconnect people. Our innovative approach lies in leveraging modern technology to make ancient history accessible. Through virtual reality tours of historical sites, interactive digital archives, and online workshops with master artisans in Palestine, we break down geographical barriers. We measure our impact not just by the number of records archived, but by the number of individuals who reconnect with their heritage, the intergenerational dialogues we spark, and the cultural practices we help sustain.
Abdul Shatara, the Principal Officer of the organization, carries the legacy of Al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya in his heart. Growing up in the diaspora, he listened to his elders' stories of the homeland—tales of ancient olive groves, vibrant festivals, and a close-knit community. This inherited memory fueled a lifelong passion for history and a deep sense of responsibility to preserve it. After a successful career, Mr. Shatara dedicated himself to creating this organization as a vehicle for others to experience the same profound connection to their heritage that has guided his life. His vision is to build a global community of cultural guardians for Palestine.
We face three primary challenges: the **risk of cultural erosion** as elders pass away, the **geographical disconnect** of the diaspora, and the **limited resources** for large-scale preservation projects. People interested in our cause can get involved in several meaningful ways: