The Arab College of Jerusalem in Pictures
Arab College Immortalised in Photo Exhibition
Hada Sarhan - The Jordan Times
February 2002

LEBANESE WRITER Ghada Samman once said "photographs are attempts to capture a fleeting moment".

'The Arab College of Jerusalem in Pictures', a display of 42 photographs taken by several individuals trying to immortalise mementoes, depicts many momentousevents of the college students and teachers. The exhibition shows photographs taken in the 1930 of the Arab College, documenting its achievements over a period extending till 1948.

"The exhibition aims to bridge the gap of over half a century to reach a new generation that was not around its development and effectiveness," said Walid Khalidi, a member in the Arab College committee. Among the assemblage are captivating photos of students that "show the tightly woven fabric of the student-teacher relationship", according to Khalidi.

Most of the photos are black and white. According to art critic Mazen Asfour, black and white photos affect viewers more than coloured photos because "they make us feel the depth of history". One photo shows students in their college uniform, consisting of a green jackets with the motto of the college on its left side pocket, and grey wool pants, a white shirt and green tie. Among the college students are three late novelists Munes Razzaz, Adeeb Abasi and Jabra Ibrahim Jabra. The Arab College was established in 1918 as a teachers' college with the aim of preparing elementary school teachers.

During the British Mandate in Palestine (1918-1948), the college had a group of out-standing students who were selected for their intellectual and academic abilities, in 1919, the college was administered by Khalil Al Sakakini who soon resigned to protest the British appointment of the Jewish Herbert Samuel as high commissioner of Palestine. In place of Sakakini was Khalil Totuh, who was the college's headmaster until 1925. He too resigned, following protests by administrators, teachers and students against the visit of Arthur James Balfour, Britain's then prime minister. Ahmed Al Khalidi ran then the affairs of the college until the end of the mandate in 1948.

Officially, the college used to charge eight Palestinian pounds per semester, or twenty-four pounds per year. But in practice, waiver of tuition was the rule because the majority of the students distinguished themselves academically or were poor.

From its inception until 1934, the college was in rented buildings in the neighborhood of Bab Al Sahira, in Jerusalem. Then it moved to its new location, on Jabal Al Mukaber (also in Jerusalem). Next to it stood the place of the British high commissioner and an agricultural school for Jewish girls. The College was separated from the Jewish neighborhood of Talpiyot by an open field with a golf course.

The photo exhibition opened on Feb 14 at Darat Al Funun.