Reflections from IIT Syrian students on the MLK day:
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther king attended Morehouse College, and received his seminary degree from Crozier Theological Seminary. When he received his Ph.D in the 50’s from Boston University, he was one of the most educated black men in America. People from around the world were influenced by King, therefore he emphasized the role of education in order to build the country.
Farah
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As in his famous speech “I have a dream”, Martin Luther King, Jr. has called for an end to slavery and racism in the United States.
I want to say, I have a vision, that we – as Syrians- end our differences, and start understanding them. I have a vision for a transparent, citizenship focused, not corrupted, Research and Development (R & D) directed, technology adopted, and rights respected Syria.
Toufik Simo
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We do need a leader; someone who has suffered; someone who has been through what we have been through; a leader who understands our pain.
We do need a leader; someone who can influence the people; see the light at the end of the tunnel; set the goals; and lead us towards salvation.
We need that leader within every one of us, leading one’s self is leadership, leading others is contribution.We need to understand that even “if we all came in different ships, we are now in the same boat” MLK. Pain will subside but something else will take its place. Only hope accompanied with action will joined with determination, and trust seen with forgiveness will shore us up and get us to our destination. Color, religion, and/or race would never unify nor divide us, humanity does.
Syria is calling on us, the smell of the Jasmine mounting Kasyon mountain, crawling the valleys of Ugarit, hugging the beauty of the Syrian coast and swamping our souls with childhood memories; are all calling on us. Stop looking for the leader outside, and reawaken “the” Martin Luther King inside, let’s make our destiny and take the initiative.
Mohamad
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“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear”, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yes hate is a big burden and it will never lead to a peaceful world. Humans around the world deserve much more than war. I hope that one day people around the world will choose love over hate, revenge and cruelty. I hope that my Syria will be the Syria that we used to know and Syrians will be the same again. No more war and crimes; we want a peaceful country that can lighten our world again.
Zeina
Syrian Students for a better future 