Sebaah Hamad
Le Moyne College
Sebaah feels that she can make an impact by creating educational opportunities that address social issues. Her goal is to promote positive long-term change. Whether that is through the Girl Scout troop she works with where she reinforces positive self-image for girls or when she teaches Koran studies to children at her Mosque, Sebaah strives to create a community that empowers and affirms.
Sebaah seeks to educate those on the Le Moyne campus about her faith traditions through organizing such programs as “Do Muslim Women Need Liberation?” She put together a panel of three women who shared their experience of being women of faith who embrace their traditions in different ways. Sebaah moderated the discussion and created an open forum where the free exchange of opinions was encouraged. This was a controversial dialogue because the women on the panel took different positions with regard to wearing the hijab, arranged marriage, raising a family and ongoing professional studies. Sebaah handled this with care and insight far beyond her years.
Personal Statement
I believe educating the community on social issues is an effective way to create positive long-term change. Education is an invaluable currency that persists over time. This past summer, I was invited to be a speaker in a series of talks to address key issues youth face, such as low self-esteem. I believe that the improvement of self-worth helps develop good self-efficacy that encourages people to be positive leaders. In Spring 2015, I planned and moderated a Le Moyne panel titled, “Do Muslim Women Need Liberation?” The hotly contested topic invited guests to openly discuss their opinions, while offering a forum for Muslim women to take control of their narrative. I was invited to speak on Islam at Le Moyne during Islam Awareness Week, and at the Syracuse Interfaith Ramadan Dinner. In the midst of growing Islamophobia, these types of programs provide tools of understanding. Gender issues have also been a special interest of mine. My position as Girl Scout leader has introduced me to the organization’s programs that address the root causes of sexism. The girls in our program learn how to be independent and, most importantly, learn to value themselves. I strive to use my position as an Upward Bound tutor and Amnesty officer to encourage people to value themselves, and their contributions to society. I firmly believe that educational programs should teach value of oneself, others, and the community as a whole.
