Monday, February 16, 2015

#ChapelHillShooting_Qatar: Solidarity Walk

In America the right to assemble and freedom of speech/expression and deeply held beliefs. In other parts of the world these freedoms do not exist in the same way. Many would argue that Qatar is such a place where protests and discouraged and there are some laws that censor media coverage. With that being said, yesterday was a big day for Qatar as a country. In response to the recent Chapel Hill Shooting, Qatar Foundation organized a solidarity walk to show support for the victims and their families.

When I first learned of the walk I was confused and unsure what the angle was. The first poster I saw came with the headline, “Not a Hate Crime but an act of Terrorism.” I found this to be very extreme for a country that doesn’t often host political demonstrations. In the end that headline was changed to “All students safe…our future protected.” This solidarity walk was planned in about two days ewinotice but was widespread in local news and media.

When I arrived at the walk, which started at the front of the building I work in, I was amazed to see hundreds of people already lined up and more arriving each minute. In the end around 1,000 people walked about 2km from the HBKU Student Center to the Ceremonial Court where a video from the victim’s family played, with a specific message for Qatar, and students shared some thoughts on the matter.

It was a powerful demonstration of peaceful protest in a region where protest can become violent. The US Ambassador for Qatar was in attendance too and I had the privilege of having a word with her. I asked her how her time in Qatar had been and she said “it’s the best job I’ve ever had”. She shared how unique it is in the region for a US Ambassador to be invited to a peaceful protest against violence to Muslims in the US. How right she was.

Some brief articles and photos can be found here:



I was very proud of Qatar for their stance on it and it really made an impact on me to see the community come together to support Muslims and students everywhere. Progress. 

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