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“What do you think about the Israeli / AUC controversy?” |
Save Gaza
Students at the American University in Cairo (AUC) protested the Israeli siege on the Palestinian- controlled Gaza Strip at a sit-in organized by Al Quds Club on Wednesday Feb 20. The event, which took place on the Greek campus during assembly hour, was attended by club members, students and faculty.
Some students wore hattas, the traditional Palestinian black
and white scarves, and carried posters saying: “End the Siege”
and “Save Gaza, Save Palestine.” The sit-in featured speeches
by political science professor Dr. Sharif Elmusa and members of the club.
Presenter Yasmeen El Khoudary, president of Al Quds Club, urged students
to invest more in becoming aware of what is happening in Gaza.
Al Quds Club, which aims to raise awareness about Palestinian culture
and politics, is collecting donations for Gaza and planning to send them
through Arab League and a as yet unnamed Egyptian NGO.
“People in Gaza are living under siege, a severe siege. The electricity
cut-off is still going on and we will not be quiet!” said El Khoudary,
who is originally from Gaza.
El Khoudary asked students to picture Cairo without electricity: “Imagine
a cage, you cannot get in and you cannot get out.”
Both El Khodary and Elmusa emphasized one of the top football players
in Egypt Mohamed Abu Treika’s role as a leading symbol of Egyptian
support for the situation in Gaza and shared what he saw as a simple message.
“We are thinking of you, we are thinking of you, we are thinking
of you,” repeated Elmusa. He added that giving this message is important
because when you are in jail in Gaza, a postcard or a visit gives you
hope.
Hasan Bseiso, an undeclared freshman and board member of Al Quds Club
said that the aim of the sit-in is to spread awareness in AUC community
about what is happening in Gaza and in Palestine
“The siege has not ended, the weapon is different. This time it
is thirst and hunger,” said Bseiso. He said that the Palestinians
have no access to basic supplies and not many people are aware that they
have to cross borders to get these supplies.
Al Quds Club members said that they had excepted more participation, however
not everyone showed interest in the sit-in. “We are just here to
show our respect for Gaza and what people can do at least is show respect,
willingness and intentions to help,” said Fouad Hassan, vice president
of Al Quds Club.
But, Seif Abouzaid, political science senior and former president of the
Student Union, said that activism is more important than the demonstration.
“Such events only tackle the emotions of people. I am sure they
will be actively involved but we have to work hard and write in order
to make a bigger impact,” he added.
Hassan said that one person came to him after the sit-in and said “We
have been doing the same thing for 30 years. “What is the point?”
He answered him “If they had not done it for 30 years, would we
be here today?”
