Widad Kawar

Widad Kawar studied at al-Adawiya School, Tulkarm and American University of Beirut. The recorded working language is Arabic and English. The field of work recorded is history and folklore. Distinctions recorded are Order of Al-Hussein for Distinguished Contributions, Prince Claus Award and Order of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Kawar was born in Tulkarm city to a Palestinian Christian family in 1931. Her family moved to Bethlehem in 1941. Her father Jalil was a teacher and head of juvenile school system in British Mandate government of Palestine. She studied at the American University of Beirut. Kawar has made her collection available for public viewing and has mounted exhibits of Palestinian dress around the world. She has written many books on Palestinian embroidery and is seeking to establish a Gallery of Cultural Embroidery. She collaborated with Margaret Skinner on A Treasury of Stitches: Palestinian Embroidery Motifs, 1850–1950 (Rimal/Melisende). She additionally wrote Threads of Identity: Preserving Palestinian Costume and Heritage (Rimal/Melisende). Widad is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Center for Oriental Research. She has established the Tiraz Centre which runs small museum in Amman, housing her collection and dedicated to the preservation of Palestinian and Jordanian cultural traditions. In 2012, Kawar won the Prince Klaus International Award for culture and development.

Widad Kawar was recorded at birth as وداد جليل زند. She also worked under the name وداد قعوار. The authorities additionally record the headings Widad Qawar and WIDAD QA'WAR. Her recorded languages were Arabic and English. Her recorded confession was Christianity. One child is recorded: Mary Kawar.

Widad Kawar is recorded with the occupation art historian. Recorded as having received Order of Al-Hussein for Distinguished Contributions, Prince Claus Award and Order of President Mahmoud Abbas.