When the world looks away, steadfastness becomes survival.
Over the past two years, law student and writer Ahmad Ibsais has used his blog State of Siege to amplify voices from Gaza — voices that remind us what resilience sounds like. When he checks in with friends under bombardment, asking “Are you safe? How are you doing?” their reply is always the same: “Alhamdulilah — God will protect us.”
And when they ask him, “How are you?” he’s left speechless — humbled by their courage, their laughter, and their refusal to surrender their humanity. That, he says, is sumud — steadfastness — the will to live and create meaning even when surrounded by destruction.
🎙️ In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, Dr. Ed Hasan sits down with Ahmad Ibsais to discuss law, faith, and the power of words in a time of erasure. From navigating censorship in academia to finding strength through storytelling and community, Ahmad reflects on what it means to speak truth under siege.
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 provides historical and political analysis to inform and educate viewers.
📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – Introducing Ahmad Ibsais
04:00 – Palestine & the Power of Community
06:00 – Speaking Out in the Legal Field
10:00 – Censorship, Courage & Campus Activism
17:00 – The Birth of State of Siege
19:00 – The Role of Poets & Journalists in Gaza
21:00 – The Duty Not to Look Away
24:00 – Law, Power & the Limits of Justice
31:00 – Imagining Liberation: One State, One People
34:00 – “Living in Memories” – Poem Reading
36:00 – Closing Reflections: Free Palestine
🎬 Full episode on Sumud Podcast: https://sumudpod.com
📲 Follow: @ahmad.ibsais
📲 Follow our host: @dredhasan
📝 Read State of Siege:
https://substack.com/@ahmadibsais
https://ahmadibsais.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
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