Student Mohammed Karin gives a presentation in the MCCC cafeteria on misconceptions about Arabs and Muslims.
One the hardest things to be today is an Arab in America.
Whether they are born on American soil or not, Arabs can suffer a bombardment of hatred on TV or worse – from their neighbors.
MCCC student Mohammed Karin aims to change it.
Karin is a Palestinian who spent most of his life in Jerusalem before moving to America five years ago. He left his home for America with absolutely no knowledge of the English language, $600, and his hopes and dreams for a better life.
“I felt like I had a big dream, and where I lived was not big enough for my dream,” Karin said. “So I worked hard to fly to America and saved a lot of money up because tickets are really expensive.”
“I believe America is the country I will create my dream in,” he said.
See video of Mohammed Karin's presentation.
MCCC President Kojo Quartey challenges Monroe to learn about diversity.
Although America has been accepting of him, Karin says he has heard many Arab friends speak of being mistreated. During his time here, Karin has managed to find nothing but love.
“I feel more welcome here than I do at home,” he said. “I’m a citizen, I want to live here, I want to die here.”
He will always jump at the opportunity to educate someone about his homeland and the Middle East as a whole, and has used classes and his position in Student Government to do just that.
His dreams have changed over the years; today he plans to get into cybersecurity as a career, but his dreams hold so much more.
“When I was young, my dream was to grab my suit and my suitcase and go work in the Twin Towers in New York …after what happened with 9/11 it’s like someone took my dream from me,” he said. “So I have to create a new dream.”
His hope now is to rid the U.S. of prejudice and hatred towards Arabs and Muslims, and maybe one day be a part of the “Ted Talks” program. He is currently working toward that goal through a series of informational presentations on campus.
“All I hope is to take the misconceptions out,” he said. “I think if we work together we can help the country.”
“My main goal is to be treated as a people,” he said. “The first three words in the Constitution are, ‘We the people,’ and we are of the people.”
Mohammed Karin will be hosting the following presentations in observance of Arab-American Month:
“Misconceptions about Arabs and Muslims” on April 18 from noon-1 p.m. in the dining room of the Administration Building and on April 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 8 of the Whitman Center.
“Jewish and Arab Relations since 1948” on April 19 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Room 173d of the Administration Building.
“Not all Muslims are Arabs and not all Arabs are Muslims,” on April 26 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the dining room of the Administration Building.
