In Arabic, “حَنين” (haneen) embodies nostalgia and longing, reflecting a yearning for the past. Amid the ongoing fallout from the Syrian revolution, al-Za’atari refugee camp emerged as a haven for displaced Syrians, symbolizing their plight and resilience. This thesis delves into the camp’s sense of place and collective memories, particularly for the young, displaced generation raised outside Syria.

By exploring how collective memories shape the camp’s permanence, the objective is to preserve Syrian cultural heritage and provide a sense of place for the displaced communities. How can the feeling of haneen encompass the ties that displaced communities have to their homeland?