Qustandi Shomali
Encyclopedia
Qustandi Shomali is a professor of history at Bethlehem University
.
from 1965–72; received a B.A in Arabic literature
from Oran University in Algeria in 1971, worked as editor of the Arab World Review in Canada from 1972 to 1975 and as Translator for the Government of Quebec
while also studying Comparative Literature at Montreal University, graduating with an MA
in 1974; continued his studies in France and earned a Doctorate in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Paris
, Sorbonne
.
, first as Assistant Professor (1977–80), then as chairman of the Arabic Language Department from 1980–86, Associate Professor of Arabic (1983–2006) and Full Professor in June 2006. He was a visiting Professor at Georgetown University
during 1986-87 and at the Collège de France
, France in 1995.
Shomali was on the board of Directors of the Family Bookshop Group Holdings, Cyprus
from 1992-95 served as secretary of the Bethlehem 2000 Committee in 1995-96, was a Visiting Professor at the California State University, San Bernardino
in 2004.
Shomali was invited to lecture in many universities in France, Belgium, Italy, England, Sweden, Germany, USA, Jordan
, Tunisia
, Morocco
and Yemen
. Moreover, He was invited on a regular basis (1995–2000) by the Ecole Doctorale des Sciences Economiques and Le Centre d'Etudes des Relations Internationales at the University of Reims, in France, to lecture on different aspects of the Palestinian culture.
Shomali spent 10 years (1985–1995) studying and classifying old Palestinian newspapers published before 1948. This resulted in the publication of a series of bibliographies and critical studies on the most important newspapers: Falastin, Mirat as-Sharq, al-Carmel and al-Akhbar (6 Volumes), and a critical study entitled "The Critical and Literary Trends in the Palestinian Literature", based on Falastin Newspaper.
As a professor of translation at Bethlehem University since 1995, Shomali has published many articles on the Theory of Translation in international journals, as well as a textbook entitled An Introduction to Translation. He is a founder and active member in the Palestinian Translators' Society since 1990.
Bethlehem University
Bethlehem University is the first university founded in the West Bank, Palestine. Bethlehem University traces its roots to 1893 when the De La Salle Christian Brothers opened schools in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Nazareth, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt....
.
His studies
He worked as an Arabic teacher in AlgeriaAlgeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
from 1965–72; received a B.A in Arabic literature
Arabic literature
Arabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
from Oran University in Algeria in 1971, worked as editor of the Arab World Review in Canada from 1972 to 1975 and as Translator for the Government of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
while also studying Comparative Literature at Montreal University, graduating with an MA
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in 1974; continued his studies in France and earned a Doctorate in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
.
At Bethlehem University
In 1977, Shomali returned to Palestine and joined Bethlehem UniversityBethlehem University
Bethlehem University is the first university founded in the West Bank, Palestine. Bethlehem University traces its roots to 1893 when the De La Salle Christian Brothers opened schools in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Nazareth, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt....
, first as Assistant Professor (1977–80), then as chairman of the Arabic Language Department from 1980–86, Associate Professor of Arabic (1983–2006) and Full Professor in June 2006. He was a visiting Professor at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
during 1986-87 and at the Collège de France
Collège de France
The Collège de France is a higher education and research establishment located in Paris, France, in the 5th arrondissement, or Latin Quarter, across the street from the historical campus of La Sorbonne at the intersection of Rue Saint-Jacques and Rue des Écoles...
, France in 1995.
Shomali was on the board of Directors of the Family Bookshop Group Holdings, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
from 1992-95 served as secretary of the Bethlehem 2000 Committee in 1995-96, was a Visiting Professor at the California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino, also known as Cal State San Bernardino or CSUSB is a public research university and one of the twenty three general campuses of the California State University system. The main campus sits on in the suburban University District of , United States, with...
in 2004.
Prizes and honours
He has received several prizes and honors including the Rashid Hussein Prize by the Arab Heritage Center in 1991, the "Medallion François 1er" from the Collège de France 1995, The Ghassan Kanafani Medallion in 1996 and the Bethlehem University Recognition Medal in 2002 also his works as translator into Arabic, including The Master: A Life of Jesus (by John Pollock) Beirut, Dar al-Jil, (1999), wrote numerous textbooks for teaching, articles and critical studies in Arabic, English and French, in local and international journals, on Modern Palestinian Literature, Comparative Literature and Media, including Introduction into Modern Linguistics, Jerusalem, Arab Studies Society, 1983, Literary and Critical Trends in Modern Palestinian Literature (Jerusalem, Dar al-Awdah, 1990).Shomali was invited to lecture in many universities in France, Belgium, Italy, England, Sweden, Germany, USA, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
. Moreover, He was invited on a regular basis (1995–2000) by the Ecole Doctorale des Sciences Economiques and Le Centre d'Etudes des Relations Internationales at the University of Reims, in France, to lecture on different aspects of the Palestinian culture.
Shomali spent 10 years (1985–1995) studying and classifying old Palestinian newspapers published before 1948. This resulted in the publication of a series of bibliographies and critical studies on the most important newspapers: Falastin, Mirat as-Sharq, al-Carmel and al-Akhbar (6 Volumes), and a critical study entitled "The Critical and Literary Trends in the Palestinian Literature", based on Falastin Newspaper.
As a professor of translation at Bethlehem University since 1995, Shomali has published many articles on the Theory of Translation in international journals, as well as a textbook entitled An Introduction to Translation. He is a founder and active member in the Palestinian Translators' Society since 1990.
Writings
Shomali wrote extensively on Bethlehem and Cultural Tourism:- A Guide to BethlehemBethlehemBethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
and its Surroundings which was translated into German, Spanish, French and Italian. - Bethlehem 2000: Twenty Centuries of History; a catalogue in Arabic, French and English for a photographic exhibition on Bethlehem.
- A book entitled Cultural Tourism in Palestine (MAS.1999).
- Tourism, Cultural and Development, the Case of Palestine (1995), a study in English for UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. - He was a major contributor in the preparation of an illustrated book The Nativity in Bethlehem & Umbria.
- He also prepared a Visitors' Guide to the Ministry of Tourism and A Tourist Guide to Palestine.
- He wrote also a policy paper entitled: Cultural Tourism in Palestine: Policy, Resources & Products. West Bank & Gaza. UNESCO. March 2004, and
- a textbook entitled: Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Bethlehem University, 2005.