10.25377/sussex.7263737.v1
Freja Howat-Maxted
Freja
Howat-Maxted
Leila Sansour
Leila
Sansour
Jacob Norris
Jacob
Norris
George Harb gives a speech to an audience, 1960
University of Sussex
2019
George Harb Photos collection
Jordanian era in Bethlehem
Bethlehem people
Bethlehem social occasions
Middle Eastern and African History
Middle Eastern and North African history
2019-05-30 14:57:58
Figure
https://sussex.figshare.com/articles/figure/George_Harb_gives_a_speech_to_an_audience_1960/7263737
This is a digital reproduction of an image held in the private collection of George Harb. <div><br></div><div>This photograph shows George Harb giving a speech to an audience in 1960.</div><div><br></div><div>George Harb became famous all over Bethlehem as a “khatib” (orator/public speaker) due to his specialism in the Arabic language and his talent for oratory. Arabic was the main subject he taught in his career as a teacher. As such he was often selected, and often still is, for any event requiring a public speaker, especially for the various marriage rituals. These include the “tulba” (formal request of hand in marriage – usually a private affair within the families’ homes); the “khutba” (engagement ceremony/party where bride and groom exchange rings); the “sahra” (evening party for the groom and male friends/relatives); and the actual wedding reception/party (which includes the “zaffa” – wedding procession). </div><div><br></div><div>George would be hired as a speaker at all these events, especially for Bethlehem’s notable and elite families. He would also be hired for funerals, especially during the First Intifada when he was regularly called out to Bethlehem’s refugee camps to commemorate individuals recently martyred. </div><div><br></div><div>This image is part of the George Harb Photos collection, within the George Harb project of the Planet Bethlehem Archive.</div>