Arab Literary Travels

Nadeen Abou-Hossa: Conclusion

In conclusion, my research has led me to realize how with the Syrian refugee crisis today, Syrians are somewhat replacing the role that Palestinians have played in places like Lebanon and Jordan. While Syrians are the new refugees, Palestinians are assimilating and playing a large role in the countries they have moved to. This is not to say that Palestinians are not refugees anymore, they are still living in exile, and majority of the new generation is still considered a "refugee" according to the United Nations. After presenting this project to my colleagues, they pressed me on the idea of the definition of a refugee and citizenship in these countries. This led me to think about the idea of home that we discussed in class early in the semester. If these refugees settle in miscellaneous countries but are not able to become citizens there, is this even home to them now? However, home is not their war-torn homeland either, so they have no other option but to try to assimilate. As discussed in class, it can be dangerous to compare different types of trauma and can cross ethical borders. However, I think there is still an ethical route to take, and because of the refugee crisis that exists today, it is crucial to make comparisons and analyze these patterns of movement. The comparison my project makes compares the settling of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon in the past, to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon today, to the future movements and intersections of the two groups. 

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