Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about the historical context, key terminology, and cultural aspects of Al-Quds and Palestine.
Al-Quds (القدس) is the Arabic name for Jerusalem, meaning "The Holy" or "The Holy Sanctuary". This name emphasizes its religious importance as a sacred site to Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Nakba (النكبة) is the Arabic word for "catastrophe" or "disaster". It refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinian during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It resulted in over 700,000 Palestinians becoming refugees.
The olive tree is arguably the most important cultural and economic symbol in Palestine. Many trees are centuries old, symbolizing deep roots, connection to the land, and longevity.
BCE stands for "Before Common Era" and it is a secular and religiously neutral alternative to "Before Christ" (BC).
CE stands for "Common Era" and it is a secular alternative to the traditional religious date system of "Anno Domini" (AD).