Referenz

Der Verein für Antirassistische und Friedenspolitische Initiative verfolgt in einem bestimmten Segment ähnliche Ziele wie das von mir von 1988 bis 2009 geleitete International Institute for Peace, Vienna (IIP). Gerne habe ich daher an der Veranstaltung von Dar al Janub als Podiumsdiskutant teilgenommen, die sich mit dem Krieg Israels gegen die Bevölkerung des Gazastreifens und dessen Abschließung befasst hat. Diese Initiative wirbt aber auch in der österreichischen Bevölkerung um Verständnis für Flüchtlinge und Immigranten – u.a. indem sie darauf hinweist, dass wir alle ein Produkt jahrtausendelanger Völkerwanderungen durch Europa sind.

Erwin Lanc, Bundesminister a.D. der Republik Österreich

I appreciate the work of Dar al Janub, because the Palestine question requires a peaceful solution. Dar al Janub is addressing the Palestine question by initiatives from below: It establishes contacts between Palestinians and Austrians, between Muslims, Jews, Christians and people without confession. It supports projects to preserve people’s memory about the Palestinans’ expulsion from home, about exile and oppression and about the hope for a future return. And by organizing activities for migrants and locals, Dar al Janub helps building bridges in Austria, too.

a.o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Andrea Komlosy, Universität Wien

Dar al Janub is an organization of many virtues. It provides a crucial platform for dialogue, analysis and discussion on issues pertaining mostly to Palestine, but also other related and important matters. By doing so, Dar al Janoub offers an opportunity at balance, and a roadmap aimed at correcting the skewed understanding that many have of the conflict in Palestine. Its many workshops, conferences and publications present an essential alternative to the misinformation or the lack of interest that has plagued mainstream media for many years. Dar al Janub’s outreach is truly impressive. Those behind the organization are dedicated, resourceful and morally grounded. They are in constant search for new, unique methods to get their message across. Dar al Janub’s work is of immense importance and its projects must be supported in every possible way, so that it accomplishes its goals, and achieves its noble mission.

Ramzy Baroud, Palestinian-American journalist, author, editor and former Al-Jazeera producer, Editor-in-Chief of the Palestine Chronicle.

Dar al-Janub has tried to contribute to combating racist and colonial attitudes and policies in Austria, and in Europe in general, especially as experienced by Palestinians wherever they live or have to live, in the European or Arab Diaspora as refugees and (very often forced) migrants, in Israel (as a minority with their citizens’ rights increasingly curtailed), and in the territories occupied in 1967, i.e. East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza Strip. It has done so first and foremost by offering a forum for information, analysis and open discussion, something very much needed in times when racism in the form of Islamophobia (the other side of the coin of Antisemitism) is raising its ugly head. I hope the young activists in Dar al-Janub will succeed in the continuation of their work for better co-existence of citizens, new citizens, and migrants in Austria and Europe as a whole, and at the same time for an end to occupation and oppression Palestinians have had to endure for far too long.

Prof.Dr.Helga Baumgarten, Head of M.A. Program Democracy and Human Rights, Birzeit University, Palestine

The work of Dar Al Janub is on a consistently high level and has led to a much greater understanding in Austria about what the Nakba, the resulting refugee problem and the Israeli occupation mean for the Palestinian people. Its seminars are prepared in a careful and scientific way and are deserving of great praise. These are important in helping to fill a vacuum in explaining the roots and effects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Paula Abrams-Hourani, jüdisch-US-amerikanisch-österreichische Menschenrechtsaktivistin, Vorsitzende der"Frauen in Schwarz (Wien)", Mitglied der Organisation European Jews for a Just Peace

It was August 2005 when I met “Dar Al-Janub” team of for the first time. Instead of staying at hotels, the delegation of five members preferred to stay at Rashideyah Camp for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon; this is to share the daily life of refugee families.

The purpose of the visit was of two levels; to identify closely, the difficult humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees; where they deprived of their legal civil rights where poverty, unemployment, overpopulation, bad hospitalization, problems with education, poor shelter and infrastructure.., the second level was to match the political perspective about Palestinian refugees and their legal right of return.

Together we shared the 10 days, visited an important stations; refugees camps and gatherings, political factions, UNRWA, Palestinian NGOs, Lebanese officials, where I discover the dedication and loyalty to the values the team believe in.

A chance was given to me to participate in more than one event organized by Dar Al- Janub in Vienna, to share with other prominent figures from different countries; it allowed me to become more closely to their affective methodological and strategic way of thinking and acting as well.

6 years of my knowledge of Dar Al-Janub, gave me the chance to be introduced not only to the professional level but also to the humanitarian one, and to share the team their sense of humor!

Dar Al-Janub becomes friends and ambassadors of Palestinians, the team attended and shared many events in many countries, been expressed in the website and publications.

Based on, I think Dar Al-Janub has more clear vision of what they are doing for the justice of Palestinian cause, this is experienced by systematic planning and well organized implemantation and evaluation.

Dr. Ali Hweidi – Generalsekretär der palästinensischen NGO „Thabit“, Libanon