Capturing Palestinian Heritage Through Fragrance: A Story of Resilience and Identity
In the heart of Jerusalem, amidst the ongoing conflict and turmoil, a young Palestinian couple has found a way to preserve and celebrate their heritage through an unexpected medium—fragrance. Qassem Abu Khalaf, a materials engineer, and his wife Malak Hijazi, an English and special needs teacher, have launched a unique line of perfumes, Mejana, which embodies the rich cultural and historical essence of Palestine. Through their scents, they aim to offer both a piece of their heritage and a moment of nostalgia for Palestinians worldwide.
The Birth of Mejana: A Fragrance of Heritage
Mejana is more than just a fragrance line; it is a tribute to Palestinian culture, folklore, and the enduring spirit of its people. The name "Mejana" itself is rooted in Palestinian tradition, referring to the folk songs that Palestinian women sing while working in the fields or during harvest. According to Malak, "Mejana has a special rhythm when you sing it. It means joy and happiness, and we wanted to encapsulate that feeling in our perfumes. When you smell a special fragrance, you feel good, you feel happy."
With a library of hundreds of ingredients, Qassem poured his passion for creating quality perfumes into this venture, working tirelessly at night to perfect the formulations. The couple's mission is to allow people to hold a piece of Palestinian history in their hands—quite literally, as they produce fragrances that evoke memories of ancient cities, olive groves, and the beauty of their land.
Fragrances Inspired by Palestinian Memory and Identity
The Mejana collection features a range of scents that draw from both Palestinian history and the couple's personal experiences. Two of their most notable fragrances are Zaref Atool and Rozana—each representing a distinct chapter in Palestinian folklore.
Zaref Atool is a dark, oriental fragrance inspired by the labyrinthine alleyways of the Old City of Jerusalem. Its rich, deep notes are designed to evoke the ancient city’s timeless atmosphere, symbolizing the essence of Palestinian heritage.
Rozana, on the other hand, is named after a ship that became a symbol of hope and despair during a famine in the Levant a century ago. The story behind Rozana is a bittersweet one, capturing the sorrow of a people whose hopes were dashed when the ship, which was expected to bring salvation in the form of food, arrived with almost nothing to offer. The fragrance evokes this narrative of longing and loss, capturing the heartache through its carefully curated blend of notes.
Each scent tells a story—whether it’s the ancient wisdom of the land or the painful experiences of displacement and loss. As Malak proudly states, "I love our identity, our heritage, our folklore, and I’m proud of it."
A Dream Interrupted: The Challenges of Launching a Brand in Times of War
Despite their passion and dedication, the couple’s journey has not been easy. They launched Mejana in September 2023, just before the outbreak of the war in Gaza. As violence and unrest escalated, their plans were disrupted, and their efforts to introduce their brand to the world came to a halt. The souks and shops in the Old City of Jerusalem, once bustling with tourists, now stand nearly empty as shopkeepers struggle to stay afloat in a market severely impacted by the conflict.
However, Qassem and Malak's resilience shines through. Despite these setbacks, the couple has found some success in reaching the Palestinian diaspora, particularly in Australia, where their perfumes have resonated with people looking for a connection to their roots. Undeterred, they have also released a second range of three perfumes, beautifully packaged in boxes painted by a Palestinian artist and filled with local flowers and wildlife.
The Symbolism of the Key: A Tribute to Palestinian Memory
One of the most striking features of the new fragrance collection is the packaging—a wooden capsule adorned with a key embossed on one side. The key is a symbol of the many Palestinian homes lost during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced. As Malak explains, "When we chose the key, it was about our memories. It’s designed a little bit differently from the traditional Palestinian key, but it is related to it. When you smell a particular scent, it brings back beautiful memories. So, it is the key to our ancestors and our childhood memories."
The couple has combined the symbolic power of the key with the evocative scents of tuberose and berry and coconut and agarwood, aiming to offer both a sensory and emotional connection to the past while looking toward a future of hope and peace.
New Beginnings Amidst Adversity
Amidst the chaos of war, Qassem and Malak also experienced the joy of new life as they welcomed their daughter, Sadeel, into the world. While the ongoing conflict has made it difficult for them to fully embrace the joy of parenthood, the couple remains hopeful for a future where peace will prevail, not just for their family but for all Palestinians.
"It's not easy," says Qassem, "But we hope everything will come to an end and we’ll have peace. A little peace of mind, too."
Through Mejana, Qassem and Malak Abu Khalaf have created more than just perfumes—they have crafted a living testament to Palestinian identity, resilience, and memory. Their fragrances are not just about scent but about telling the stories of a people who continue to endure and hold on to their culture, even in the face of adversity.