Gaza man stitches together Palestinian heritage

Suleiman Abu Taima's work was inspired by his mother's embroidery

by Mohammed Asad

Suleiman Abu Taima uses embroidery to portray Palestinian heritage on 11 March 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Suleiman Abu Taima delicately uses an array of colours to stitch together images which encompass Palestinian heritage in the manner his mother taught him.

The 22-year-old says his love of colours and infatuation with his mother’s work led him to watch her closely and learn her embroidery skills.

This profession, which needs care and patience, is traditionally dominated by women, and Suleiman has come under criticism by his fellow embroiderers being one of few men in the trade.

He has continued in spite of this and says his biggest achievements to date are the Palestinian thobe that he has completed, shawls and art work to be displayed in people’s homes.

Suleiman sells his pieces in local markets to afford a living for himself during Israel’s brutal siege of the Gaza Strip.

READ: London launch celebrates Palestinian history through embroidery

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