RIP Salah Ajarma

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Salah Ajarma, director and founder of the Lajee Center, a community-based grassroots cultural centre in Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem.  We were privileged to welcome Salah and other members of the Lajee Centre to Aberdeen on three occasions.  The first occasion in 2012 when Salah and his colleague Mohammed spoke powerfully about their experiences, including Salah’s time as a political prisoner in an Israeli Occupation prison.  Salah was also the Coordinator of the Palestinian Prisoners Association in the West Bank between 1996-98.  Salah’s talk, and the following visits from groups of young Lajee Centre members were hugely inspirational, making a huge impact on the many people who attended the events.  Exemplifying his kindness and hospitality, Salah also hosted members of SPSC Aberdeen as part of a branch delegation in 2012. 

The Lajee Centre released the following statement:

On behalf of everyone at Lajee Center, we are saddened to share the news that our director and founder, Salah Ajarma, has passed away in the early hours of this morning.

Salah was an incredible person, a husband and father to 4 children, son, brother, and dear friend to many, many people all over the world. He inspired generations of children and young people to celebrate and share the beauty and richness of Palestine, its people, history and culture. Salah was a central figure in our community, his loss is sorely and deeply felt by each and every one of us. In his lifetime, he built and left us an important legacy- to continue to fight for our rights as Palestinians and for Palestine and we can never thank him enough for all that he taught us.

We hope you will share with us our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family.