Dr. Omar Suleiman ignites conversations on Palestine at Education City Speaker Series

By : Fazmina Samat

In a thought-provoking session at the Qatar National Conference Center, hosted by the Qatar Foundation's Education City Speaker Series, Dr. Imam Omar Suleiman, a distinguished Palestinian-American scholar and human rights activist spoke on the pressing issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict under the theme, "Palestine: A Test of Human Conscience."

Dr. Suleiman, the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a Professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University, addressed a captivated audience, stressing the significance of the Palestinian struggle. Throughout his discourse, he highlighted key points that resonated deeply with the attendees.

The scholar emphasized that Palestine is a litmus test for humanity's commitment to basic necessities over political advantage. His powerful words underscored the stark reality of the ongoing situation, stating, "The Palestine Genocide exposes the way humanity can betray basic necessities for political advantage."

Drawing attention to the issue's urgency, Dr. Suleiman challenged the audience with the question, "How much can you witness before acting? How much can you hear without crying?" He compared the global reaction to Muhammad al-Durrah's death in 2000 with the distressing statistic that, today, over 5000 lives have been lost in Palestine without adequate international response.

The activist didn't shy away from addressing accountability saying, "I live in the belly of the beast, and I hope America is taken to the ICC and prosecuted for their inhuman activities." This bold statement stirred contemplation on the role of nations in addressing human rights violations.

In a rallying call to the youth, Dr. Suleiman urged them to continue striving against normalization with Israel, emphasizing the suspension of any ties. He concluded his impassioned talk with a call to action, stating, "We all have to challenge with what has been made available to us, and where our voice is going to be most effective."

The Education City Speaker Series, by bringing in such influential voices, continues to be a platform for critical discussions on global issues, leaving the audience with much to ponder about the challenges faced by the Palestinian people and the implications for human conscience and justice.

---

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. 

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial