It is often believed that the only way to attract students to Yeshiva University events is through free food. This month, I was impressed to see this presumption proven incorrect. On a busy Tuesday for YU students, right before the start of finals, the auditorium in Belfer filled up with those who were interested in hearing a first-hand perspective on both the crisis in Syria and the migration crisis in Europe.
The event, titled, The Tragedy of Syria and its Global Reach, was run by the YU Social Justice Society, the YU Tzedek Society, the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program and the Schneier International Affairs Center. Due to visa issues, scheduled panelist Dr. Kamal al-Labwani, who was previously imprisoned by the Assad regime due to his membership in the opposition movement, was unable to attend. However, the three other panelists did an impressive job of enlightening the YU student body with their insights. Those present on the panel were award-winning Syrian journalist Ms. Zaina Erhaim; immigration lawyer Professor Musaffar Chishti; and Mr. Mario Sauder, head of the German Embassy’s Economic Department. Each of the speakers provided a unique perspective on the current crisis, while also sharing a lesson about what it means to live in the global community today.
Sauder began his opening statement with a reflection regarding Germany’s dark past and how its current open door policy today is influenced by that history. Chishti focused on American policy: “What will people say in the future, that we closed our doors on refugees?” These simple and powerful statements guided these two panelists in their views toward the crisis. Both stressed that, though the crisis may be difficult to resolve, it is one from which the past and futures of the global world will continue to be affected.
For many students, Zaina Erhaim’s first-hand experience to the horrors occurring in Syria served as a rare and incredible opportunity to “hear the other side.” When asked to describe how the conflict in Syria spun out of control, she mentioned that “Assad should have stepped down in 2011.” At first people thought the crisis in Syria was temporary and even those who left thought they would soon return. Yet, as reality proved them wrong, people became desperate and there was a rush to escape. Ehraim explained that neighboring countries only offered these refugees the opportunities available to a “tourist.” However, what these refugees needed was to restart their lives. They needed jobs, which could only be attained in Europe. Ehraim emphatically stated, “They are not just running away from war; they are running away to life.”
Chishti, in agreement with Ehraim, said, “We only appreciate a problem once it comes to our doorstep. The problem was simmering for the last few years but it was not a crisis until it affected the EU.” Zaina spoke harshly in his criticism of America, saying, “The US is not ashamed to take a position in the war… civilians felt supported psychologically… they bombed and threatened… but now they won’t help.”
Regarding the tight refugee restrictions of the United States, Zaina said, “It is fascist that you are considered a terrorist because you were born there [Syria], while if you are born here, you are okay.” There is an eighteen to twenty-four month screening process for Syrian refugees who hope to immigrate to the U.S. so as to prevent potentially harmful individuals from entering the country. Chishti also noted that out of the 784,000 total refugees allowed in the U.S. over the past three years, only three were tried for terrorism charges.
In their closing statements, the panelists focused on the world’s collective responsibility to deal with this issue. Chishti emphasized that “this is the new normal.” He also restated that whatever collective responsibility is, whether providing temporary residence for refugees or providing assistance in a different manner, we must take that responsibility collectively and with confidence. Ehraim, who had previously criticized the American bombing of Syria, provided a practical plan to counter the damage done: “Even a small no fly zone would make some places in Syria better for living.”
One important question posed by a student after the panel was particularly striking. In a non-provocative manner, a YC student asked, “Why should I care about what is happening in Syria?” He then elaborated, “How can I raise the relevance of the issue for myself?”
One of the panelists answered that history is the reason people should care about the issues in Syria. “If we don’t care about somewhere exactly like us today, people won’t care about us in the future.”
The panel provided students with insightful and nuanced opinions that are oftent not heard in conversations regarding the refugee crisis. In many debates regarding the issue, the first words uttered are usually “terrorism,” “tribalism,” or some other keywords that relieve oneself from dealing with refugee crisis. However, at this event, students were able to see the issue for what it is: a global issue that cannot be ignored. Even though Yeshiva University students cannot directly change the policy of the U.S. and other European countries, awareness of the issues at play is the first step towards finding the proper solutions.