Personal Info
- Country of residence: Lebanon
Information
Leila Shahid, born in Beirut in 1949, stands as a distinguished Palestinian diplomat. Breaking barriers, she became the first woman ambassador of Palestine, representing the PLO in Ireland in 1989, in The Netherlands in 1990, and subsequently serving the PA in France from 1993. From 2006 to 2014, she held the position of General Delegate of Palestine to the EU, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Born to Munib Shahid and Serene Husseini Shahid, Leila is connected to the Al-Husayni clan. Although her parents hailed from Acre and Jerusalem, she grew up in exile with her two sisters in Lebanon. After pursuing studies in anthropology and psychology at the American University of Beirut, Leila engaged in humanitarian work in Palestinian refugee camps until 1974. Following this, she embarked on her doctoral journey in anthropology in Paris, where she crossed paths with Jean Genet. Her leadership skills were evident when she was elected president of the Union of Palestinian students in France in 1976.
Leila Shahid played a significant role during the tumultuous events of September 1982 when she and Jean Genet arrived in Beirut during the Sabra and Shatila massacres. Genet's account of these events, published in "La revue d'études palestiniennes," served as the basis for Catherine Biscovitch's film "Dancing Among the Dead."
In 2004, Leila Shahid was present with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during his final days. A stalwart supporter of Palestinian studies, she served as a longtime director of "La revue d'études palestiniennes" and continues to contribute as a board member.
Leila Shahid's activism extended to her involvement in the establishment of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine. This initiative, responding to her call along with Ken Coates and Nurit Peled, aimed at addressing issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Despite not being a Baha'i herself, Leila Shahid's lineage connects her to the Baha'i prophet Baha'u'llah through her father, who was a grandson of Abdu'l-Baha. Her father's opposition to Shoghi Effendi led to his excommunication from the Baha'i Faith.
Leila Shahid's life reflects a commitment to diplomacy, advocacy, and a profound engagement with Palestinian and global affairs.
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Achievements and Awards
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