Hamza  has reported on events such as the killings of al Qaeda leaders and the civil wars in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. He travels extensively sharing his perspectives on tolerance, nonviolence, war, and the Middle East. He is also associated with the Open Society Foundation. 

The day began with an assembly with students in grades 7 through 12.  Later he led a discussion with the 11th grade interdisciplinary Global Leadership x Design course, which examines the intersection of politics, media, history, and technology. In this session, Hamza focused on the Arab Spring and more specifically, the role that young adults—some still in high-school—played in those events. He described the use of social media and how it affected reporting and powered protests. His firsthand account of the Arab Spring provided students a fascinating look into the events and protests that took place there.

Ellis Global Leadership x Design students viewed powerful, iconic photos from the protests, many of which depicted nonviolent protesters in contrast with armed military police. He asked students to discuss the possible political, social, and cultural meanings of the images, many of which depicted children and young adults engaged in protests. In the lively discussion that ensued, Hamza asked the students to consider their own lives. Students saw parallels between the images of the Arab Spring and recent protests in Ferguson, MO. Hamza encouraged students to consider their own political power and voice.

“Peace isn’t good enough if you’re not living a life of social justice and freedom. People need to feel uncomfortable in order to make change,” Hamza said.

Learn more about Haider Hamza and his work forging cultural awareness, connection, and nonviolence here:
http://wolfmanproductions.com/haider-hamza/