Magandjin Creatives for Palestine (MCFP) is a community-led initiative to unite Magandjin (Brisbane) creatives in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Aimed to foster an enduring community of collective care, truth-telling and action with Palestine, whilst each participant also embarks on their own creative projects in support of the cause.

The First Gathering التجمع الأول is an event that marks the first community action and the beginning of MCFP. A seed that has sprouted from the journey of transforming feelings of powerlessness and loss into 'tajamou3', an Arabic verb, the active act of coming together and uniting behind a shared cause. Brisbane creatives answered an open call, offering their creations to be sold at the activation and online, with the aim to support Palestinian refugees arriving from Gaza on temporary visas.

The heart of our project lay in the exhibition design and programming, which aimed to transcend traditional gallery settings. Embracing our cultural roots, we transformed the space into a warm, inviting oasis—complete with food, carpets, floor seating, music, and incense. This grounded atmosphere fostered a sense of authenticity and connection, inviting visitors to explore and immerse themselves in our narrative. By grounding The First Gathering in Palestinian and Blak voices, and music and food from across the Levant, we created a welcoming space that connects us together through truth-telling, hope, and action.