Online Dialogue Forum 'Virtual Majlis' launched in the USA, Gaza and Doha
Al Fakhoora has officially launched its 'Virtual Majlis' initiative, an online weekly meeting for students from Doha, Gaza and the US, which aims to create deeper understanding and explore commonalities.
The Virtual Majlis (VM) primarily provides youth in Gaza with an opportunity to engage with a western audience and address misconceptions. There is also discussion regarding the role of the media in reflecting the realities of life in Gaza after Operation Cast Lead and in the wake of the Israeli imposed blockade.
The VM began its trial sessions in the spring of 2011, and it became clear that this mode of conversation was very useful for youth to vocalize their frustrations, as well as aspirations, through these dialogues. As a result of the blockade, travel to and from Gaza has been severely obstructed and basic educational materials are prohibited.
These restrictions have gravely affected the education sector in Gaza. The dialogues were conceived of, and are facilitated by, students from Qatar Foundation’s Education City, who have established the Al Fakhoora Majlis Circle which has grown from a simple weekly video dialogue over Skype, to a series of partnerships between universities in Gaza, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and Penn State University in the United States.
Amal Al Malki, Ph.D., assistant teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and an avid promoter of cross cultural dialogue and understanding, has played an important role in expanding the dialogue within Education City by offering state of the art video conferencing facilities available to Carnegie Mellon to hold the VM sessions. “I am very proud of this collaboration between Carnegie Mellon and Al Fakhoora.In our constant efforts to promote cultural understanding, tolerance and respect, we look to seize every opportunity for creating spaces for healthy interactions between people from different cultures” says Amal. "This three-way conversation is a first step towards building human connections that aren’t subject to stereotyping and prejudice.”
Penn State’s 'World in Conversation' project creates dialogues about social and cultural issues that expand perspectives and invite greater understanding between people. This project has taken the lead in organizing the US student participation and boasts a decade of experience. Dr. Laurie Mulvey, director of World In Conversations says; “My students tell me that they will never listen to the news in the same way after these dialogues. They have been amazed by the differences between the real people and the caricatures they are shown in the media.”
Karim Bataineh is a facilitator at Penn State University, who has worked with the VM from its early stages. “As a facilitator, the purpose of these conversations is to listen to the first hand voices of people in Gaza. We are not here to teach people anything or tell them what to think, but simply to listen to the experiences of the people 'on the ground'. Through the VM we cut through the media bureaucracy.”
The World in Conversation trained Tessniem, an Al Fakhoora student, over a period of five weeks to facilitate the dialogue using the Socratic Method, which employs a question and answer between opposing groups to create critical thinking. “I learned how to effectively facilitate dialogues for the Virtual Majlis as well as skills in life, such as how to bring out the most in people when they talk and how to go through difficult and uncomfortable topics,” says Tessnium.
“We believe our students need to acquire the communication skills necessary to put forward their ideas and realize their dreams. Dialogue not only provides them with a platform to be heard, but also with the essential skill of learning to listen, which will also empower them to be better leaders within their communities.” said Farooq Burney, Director of Al Fakhoora.
Al Fakhoora third year Medicine student at the Islamic University of Gaza, Abdal Rahim Mahallawi has been a frequent participant of in the sessions. “I was initially afraid to take part in the conversation. I believed that in the face of the massive media machine, I would be unable to change anyone’s opinion of what happened and continues to happen in Gaza, but I am humbled by how a western audience is willing to open its mind once presented with facts.”
The Virtual Majlis experience has progressed from a weekly conversation to a daily interaction between the students on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Students have taken personal initiatives to make videos of their lives in both Gaza and the US. The videos have helped students see their similarities.
Mohammed Hammouda, the Majlis Circle organizer, and a student from Gaza studying at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, said “I think that the VM is an eye opening experience, and I wait for it every week. It is amazing to see people from two different cultures and backgrounds come together every week to discuss different issues that may exceed or expand their comfort zone. The Israeli siege couldn't block the hearts and feelings of both groups of students from coming together and seeking an understanding. As a Palestinian, I am proud to be part of the VM because I am spreading awareness on an on- going conflict. I am proud to show part of the unveiling of misconceptions that can't be revealed through more official media.”
