Palestinian Couple Crafts Fragrances Embodying Heritage Amidst Gaza Conflict

In Jerusalem, a young Palestinian couple has developed a collection of perfumes designed to represent their people’s heritage. Even with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, they express hope that these fragrances can evoke recollections of more peaceful times, as reported by Sebastian Usher from Jerusalem. In the Jordan valley’s fields, Palestinian women continue to sing traditional folk songs while harvesting olive groves. One such song recounts a legendary ship delivering crucial food supplies to port during a severe famine that affected the Levant towards the end of Ottoman rule. Meanwhile, within Jerusalem’s Old City, the aromas of leather, spices, and livestock blend, creating a scent that brings to mind millennia of history. Qassem Abu Khalaf articulated the inspiration for the Mejana fragrance line, which he established with his wife, Malak Hijazi, stating, “We’re trying to send a message to people through our perfumes, revealing our heritage and the scent of our land.” This young couple are Palestinians residing in the Beit Hanina district of occupied East Jerusalem. He works as an advanced materials engineer, while she is an an English and special needs teacher. Their perfume collection originated from Qassem’s long-standing dedication to crafting high-quality perfumes. He dedicated his nights to developing his concepts, compiling a vast collection of hundreds of ingredients. Speaking from a restaurant in East Jerusalem amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, he stated that the five fragrances he has created thus far aim to allow individuals to grasp a part of Palestinian history. For Palestinians specifically, he expressed hope that the aromas would facilitate a reconnection with their heritage through a Proustian surge of memory. He and Malak selected the name Mejana because it refers to the traditional songs sung by Palestinians while they work. Malak explained, “Mejana has a special rhythm when you sing it. It means joy and happiness. We chose it, because when you smell a special fragrance, you feel good, you feel happy in the same sort of way.” Palestinian folk traditions also played a role in the naming of their initial two fragrances. Zaref Atool, a dark, rich scent, aligns with expectations for an oriental style. Qassem stated its purpose is to evoke the atmosphere of Jerusalem’s ancient, intricate Old City alleyways. Its name comes from the central figure in a well-known old song, where the vocalist expresses sorrow over a tall, attractive young man departing his Palestinian homeland for distant lands. The second fragrance is named Rozana, after a vessel eagerly awaited by starving populations across Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria following unsuccessful wheat harvests 100 years ago. Although intended to bring relief, it ultimately delivered only profound disappointment and loss, as its cargo offered almost no sustenance. This narrative also inspired a renowned song, performed by numerous prominent Arab vocalists, including Fairouz and Sabah. Malak affirmed, “I love our identity, our heritage, our folklore and I’m proud of it.” While their inspiration stems from the past, current circumstances have made their endeavor to establish and introduce a brand celebrating Palestinian identity more challenging. Malak stated, “We launched our brand on 27 September last year. We went to two bazaars in Jerusalem but then the war began and put a stop to everything for many months.” Tourist presence has diminished in the souks and shops of the Old City and other areas in Israel and the occupied West Bank, compelling shopkeepers to rely on the active local market for survival. Qassem and Malak have achieved some sales success with their fragrances among the Palestinian diaspora, particularly in Australia. They have persisted without discouragement, creating a second collection of three perfumes, elegantly packaged in a box adorned with local flowers and wildlife by a Palestinian artist. The perfumes are housed in wooden capsules featuring an embossed key on one side, which activates the gold dispenser when rotated. A significant old key represents the numerous Palestinian homes lost when hundreds of thousands were displaced or fled during the 1948 war that led to the establishment of the State of Israel. Malak explained, “When we chose the key, it was about our memories. It’s designed a little bit differently from the traditional Palestinian key, but it is related to it. When you smell a particular scent, it brings back beautiful memories. So, it is the key to our ancestors and our childhood memories.” The couple has recently introduced not only their latest perfume collection, featuring blends like tuberose and berry, and coconut and agarwood, but also welcomed their first child, a daughter named Sadeel. Qassem and Malak acknowledged the challenge of bringing a new life into a world marked by such conflict. Malak expressed feelings of guilt but noted she ceased following news about Gaza during her pregnancy due to the intense stress it caused, fearing potential negative impacts on her baby. Qassem remarked, “It’s not easy. But we hope everything will come to an end and we’ll have peace. A little peace of mind, too.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. 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