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The effects of displacement
As global displacement becomes increasingly prevalent, parents and students reflect on their own experiences fleeing from home. Uma Mokhtarzadeh | Staff Writer
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ccording to the United Nations (U.N.), in 2017, due to poverty, war and political persecution, there were 65.6 million displaced people globally. Displacement is defined as the forcible removal of someone from their home. Within the school community, teachers, students and parents alike have fled warring countries. They have had to leave everything behind to keep their families safe. In 2011, the Bahraini Civil War broke out throughout the country, which was brought about by religious tensions. At this time, Noor Zalt (’20) was 10 years old, and had to leave her home immediately. “We had to flee in the middle of the night from Bahrain to Dubai because my mom heard nearby gunshots,” she said. Similarly, in 2011, Celine Sawiris (’18) and her family were forced to leave their home in Egypt during the Egyptian revolution. As Sawiris and her family are Coptic Christians, in a country which is predominantly Muslim, they were further persecuted and marginalized, leaving them with little choice but to leave. Sawiris’ father was an influential political figure, who opposed many of the government’s views, putting them at a greater level of threat. Not knowing the immediate threat her family faced, Sawiris said, “we were all so scared– that only when I left did I realize what the consequences [of not leaving] might have been.” Although more than 50 years ago, Mohamed Bassatne, parent of Tiala (’20), remembers his experience of
displacement vividly. In 1976, Bassatne left Lebanon on holiday with his family at age 13 and was told not to return, as the civil war was becoming more dangerous. Bassatne was forced to leave and live with just his father in England. “When my father and I arrived in London, he was working and travelling all the time, so I was technically alone, and that wasn’t easy, especially when not having the skills to communicate with those around me,” Bassatne said. “I had to learn English as fast as possible so that I could get back into school and adapt to a completely new life.” Zalt described feeling an immense absence from her home, clothes and possessions after leaving Bahrain. “My mom emptied the safe into her carry-on, grabbed the nearest photo album and we ran out the door. We bought all new clothes when we arrived in Dubai,” she said. “It was scary starting from scratch, but it’s like that for anyone in a foreign place with foreign people.” Sawiris believes that the experience of leaving her homeland has helped to shape her perspective. “In Egypt, people were a lot more conservative, a lot more closed–minded, it was either this or that, there was no in between,” she said. Zalt, Sawiris and Bassatne all said they continue to feel a connection to their home countries, despite living away from them for many years. “Lebanese people are warm and their spirit and energy is comforting. The traditions we have, the food, the music and dancing is always something I miss and hope one day to go back to,” Bassatne said.
“My mom emptied the safe into her carry-on, grabbed the nearest photo album and we ran out the door.” Noor Zalt (’20) Noor Zalt sits outside her home in Bahrain, prior to fleeing the country for Dubai. In 2011, The Bahraini Uprising was a series of anti-government protests led by Shi’a-dominant Bahraini Opposition movement. The protests lasted from 2011 until 2015. PHOTO COURTESY OF NOOR ZALT “Knowing that all might be de- so many people to rely on and act as around,” he said. “Anyone will extend a simple greeting or a helpstroyed in result of a civil war was extended family,” Zalt said. Sawiris said she misses similar ing hand whenever you need it.” a hard topic to comprehend when Zalt believes her experience aspects of not living in her home I was young.” Similarly, Zalt longs for the sense country as well, though she tries has given her perspective into the of community that her family had to return to visit whenever she devastation of war. She believes when she lived in Bahrain, some- can. “I miss the culture, the small one can never truly understand the thing she believes she lacks as a re- things like the food, and Egyptian wreckage and destruction a war can cause without seeing it firsthand. sult of living in London. While liv- humor,” she said. Bassatne feels similarly about However, she also feels incredibly ing in Bahrain Zalt’s family would regularly host dinner parties for Lebanon: missing the connec- lucky to be able to live in a country at least 20 people and remembers tions he had. “I miss the connec- that guarantees her freedom. “[The that their guest bedroom was never tion and care you get from your news] is a daily reminder about empty. “In Bahrain, you feel you family, from your neighbors, your how fortunate I am to have been have a village to raise your children, local store vendors and everyone able to evacuate,” she said.
28,300 people a day forced to flee their homes ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Where the world’s displaced people are being hosted 30% in Africa 26% in the Middle East and North Africa 17% in Europe 16% in the Americas 11% in Asia