Ahlam discusses the Virtual Majlis dialogue with Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service Qatar
Ahlam has been one of the participants in Al Fakhoora’s advocacy activities, being a key participant in the first season of the Virtual Majlis with Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Qatar and tells us about her experience of speaking with students in Qatar.
Ahlam AbuSalah, 20, lives in Gaza. She is in her second year studying Pharmacy at Al Azhar University. Besides her excellent leadership and academic performance, achieving a cumulative 80% so far, Ahlam has been one of the participants in Al Fakhoora’s advocacy activities, being a key participant in the first season of the Virtual Majlis with Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service Qatar.
Ahlam talks about her experience:
“We have been in touch with six American students and one Jordanian student in Doha and we have seven students in Gaza. This has been a very interesting experience to discuss our day-to-day lives with students outside of Palestine. We have been reflecting on the challenges that we face under the current situation in the Gaza Strip, such as electricity black outs which impact university facilities and the progress of our education, the lack of equipment and the siege in general.”
“I did not feel that American students know a lot about our situation, in fact, it’s not easy to tell, but we tried to break ice by talking to each other and having more informal interaction. In fact, I had fears before in terms of talking to Americans, but I found that we have common ground and face similar difficulties in our studies, of course nothing like electricity, but still related to the approach of learning and exams are the same.”
“I am looking forward to continuing these interesting dialogues in the second season and I feel more positive when trying to advocate the issue of Palestine.”
For the 2014 season of the Virtual Majlis, the dialogue will continue and be expanded to include students from all Education City university campuses.
