🎙️In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mohsen Mahdawi joins Dr. Ed Hasan to share the story behind the headlines. Born in a refugee camp in the West Bank, Mohsen reflects on loss, displacement, and the experiences that shaped his commitment to justice. He discusses his journey to the United States, his activism on campus, and the moment he was arrested during his own citizenship interview. Blending personal memory with political insight, Mohsen speaks about resilience, Palestinian liberation, and the deeper human struggle behind the fight for freedom.
🌍Mohsen Mahdawi was born and raised in Al-Far’a refugee camp in the West Bank of Palestine. Mohsen’s early years were defined by Israeli military occupation. At twenty four, he moved to the United States and experienced freedom and safety for the first time in his life, finding in Vermont a true home rooted in belonging and the strength of a supportive community. At Columbia University, he became a leading voice for Palestinian rights through dialogue and coalition-building, including with Jewish and Israeli communities. In April 2025 when Mohsen walked into an immigration office for his citizenship interview and was handcuffed and detained by ICE in retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism. Mohsen continues his graduate studies in Diplomacy while defending his rights in courts and building an organization dedicated to human rights and nonviolent conflict resolution.
🔑 In this conversation, we explore
→ Growing up in a West Bank refugee camp
→ The loss of family members and the trauma of occupation
→ Childhood grief and the path toward healing
→ Discovering freedom after arriving in the United States
→ Building community and mentorship in Vermont
→ Campus activism and confronting the Israeli narrative
→ His framework for Palestinian liberation and justice
→ Being arrested during his U.S. citizenship interview
⏱ Chapters
00:00 Opening message
01:00 Introducing Mohsen Mahdawi
03:30 Growing up in a refugee camp
12:00 Loss, trauma, and childhood memories
28:00 Coming to America and discovering freedom
45:00 Community, mentors, and learning English
58:00 Activism and confronting power on campus
01:10:00 Arrest at the citizenship interview
01:20:00 Resilience and message to Palestinians
Sponsored by The Karate Attorney (@karateattorney) fighting for justice inside and outside the courtroom. Visit KarateAttorney.com
This video is for educational purposes only. It documents personal experience, public encounters, and political dialogue.
🎬 Full episode on https://sumudpod.com
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