‘Very exciting’: Palestinian flag raised at Calgary city hall for first time

For the first, and possibly last time, the Palestinian flag is flying above Calgary city hall. Kevin Green reports.

The Palestinian flag was raised at city hall on Saturday for the first time in Calgary’s history.

“It’s a historic first flag raising,” said Haneen Omar, spokesperson for the Palestinian Community Association of Calgary. “Many communities around Calgary have been enjoying [this] for like, a decade now, and this is our first time getting to do that. So it’s very exciting.”

About 250 people attended the ceremony.

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It follows Canada’s Sept. 21 decision to officially recognize Palestine as a state — a change that made Saturday’s flag raising possible under the city’s existing policy, which allows flags of countries recognized by Canada to be flown at city hall on their national days.

“This is the first time at Calgary city hall where the Palestinian flag is being raised,” said Assad Chaudhary, who attended the event. “It’s a recognition. It’s the beginning. And it’s a first.”

Three counter-protesters were present.

Dozens of police officers monitored the event, but there were no incidents.

The flag was raised at sunrise, then lowered briefly before the official 10:30 a.m. ceremony.

The event was peaceful and celebratory, with attendees hugging, smiling and posing for photos.

“We’ve kept our culture. We’ve kept our history and our values,” Omar said. “But it’s always been in the shadows and silence. You never see us in movies or textbooks or on TV or in cultural celebrations. This recognition just gives us that validation that we’re here and we’ve always been here and we’re here as Calgarians.”

Husam Ghebari, a member of the Palestinian Community Association, called it an emotional moment.

“This is unbelievable to us. Really unbelievable,” he said. “Now we could raise the flag. Thank you, Canada. Thank you, Calgary.”

The ceremony may also be the last of its kind.

In a statement posted to social media on Thursday, Mayor Jeromy Farkas said city council lacks the authority to decide which countries Canada recognizes, and suggested the flag policy will be reconsidered.

“Calgary’s flag policy means any country recognized by Canada may have their flag flown in city hall on their national day,” the mayor wrote. “But flag raisings are now creating division. Next week, we’ll move to end national flag raisings at city hall to keep this a safe welcoming space for all.”

Omar said that statement was hurtful.

“I am disturbed by the premise that somehow our community’s flag is divisive,” she said. “A flag is just a symbol … When you’re saying that having that symbol out in the open is divisive, it’s very sad.”

She said her community had hoped to celebrate like others in Calgary.

“I am hurt and disappointed that the first action taken by our mayor is that displaying our diversity is somehow divisive and a problem,” she said.

Despite global tensions and grief in the Palestinian diaspora, Omar said Saturday’s event was a moment of joy.

“Today is a small, short reprieve for our community,” she said. “That weight, that pain, that grief doesn’t go away… but today is a break from that.”

The flag will remain flying outside Calgary City Hall until sunset on Saturday.