Mohamad Sawwaf, a successful entrepreneur and the man behind Manzil, Canada’s first Islamic NeoBank chats with Diana from My Olive Roots.
Olive Branches
Tanya
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Tanya knew that Palestine was her symbolic homeland. Always curious about her identity and connecting with her roots, she was eager to strengthen her ties to the Levant and traveled the region, desperate to learn more. It wasn’t until her first trip to Palestine that she became spiritually and emotionally connected.
She studied Political Science and Sociology at the University of Toronto. She then moved to the UAE, supporting numerous NGOs related to children’s welfare in the region. When she had her own family, she created the My Olive Roots platform in the hopes that her children and the Arabs diaspora would have a place to connect, learn and preserve their roots. Tanya enjoys discovering humanist stories and exploring the connection of food and art with culture.
ABU DHABI |
Homegrown Palestine
Mohamad Sawwaf, a successful entrepreneur and the man behind Manzil, Canada’s first Islamic NeoBank chats with Diana from My Olive Roots.
The Gold Series
My Olive Roots connects with the artist Aamar Shawwa on the “Gold Series” with Fairuz and Umm Khalthoum and her hopes to add other Middle Eastern icons to it.
Dialogue with Diana Al Shaer
Diana Al Shaer is a former Russian National Equestrian team member, international dressage rider and sports diplomat representing Palestine. Diana was one step from qualifying for the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She is also founder of Dialogue and is a contributing...
Pumpkin Kibbeh Recipe
Molokhia
The Molokhia stew takes its name, which means “of the kings,” from the leafy green plant that colors it. The plant, which today grows throughout the Middle East, was apparently once a green favored by Egypt’s pharaohs — with “layers of cinnamon-scented meat and buttery rice surrounded by a wonderful sauce of dark, bittersweet greens”.
Tatreez & Tea
Wafa Ghnaim fulfilled her mother’s lifelong dream of writing a book titled Tatreez & Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora, entailing information and visuals of Palestinian embroidery designs and traditions. She shares her journey through life and her plans for the future.
Pea Cream with Laban Jameed
Chef Fadi shares this delightful recipe of beautifully twisted flavours of Palestine’s heavenly peas with that of the intensely sharp jameed yoghurt.
Orange Blossom Lemonade
A refreshing drink for summer, this homemade lemonade recipe is flavored with orange blossom water to create the most delicious lemonade for your family this summer.
Happy Birthday Canada!
There isn’t a place around the world where Palestinians aren’t making a difference and inspiring people every day, but MOR would like to highlight some Canadian Palestinians, who we should all be proud of – they have gone beyond the ordinary to reach where they are today and are doing great things for their community and for Canada overall.