Volunteer Spotlight: Mohammed Abunahel

Each month, we share the stories of World BEYOND War volunteers around the world. Want to volunteer with World BEYOND War? Email greta@worldbeyondwar.org.

Location:

Palestinian based in India

How did you get involved with anti-war activism and World BEYOND War (WBW)?

I am a Palestinian who was born among pains and lived for 25 years under usurper occupation, suffocating siege and fatal aggressions until I had a chance to travel to India to complete my higher education. During my master’s degree, I had to complete a six week internship. To fulfill this requirement, I had my training at WBW. I was introduced to WBW through a friend who serves on the board.

The aims and objectives of WBW meet my aim in this life: ending wars and illegal occupation of any place in the world, including Palestine, and establishing a just and sustainable peace. I had the feeling that I needed to take responsibility for something, so I decided to look into getting an internship to gain some experience. Following that, WBW became the first step on my path toward involvement with anti-war activism. Living in perpetual terror has caused me more than my share of problems and anxiety, which is why I take part in anti-war activities.

A year later, I participated in another project with WBW for two months, where the total focus was on the “No Bases” campaign, which involved doing extensive research about U.S. foreign military bases and their harmful effects.

What kinds of activities do you help with at WBW?

I participated in a six-week internship with WBW from December 14, 2020 to January 24, 2021. This internship focused on communication and journalism from the perspective of peace and anti-war issues. I assisted with a wide range of tasks, including researching events for WBW’s global events listings; compiling the data and analysing the results from the annual membership survey; posting articles from WBW and its partners; conducting outreach to individuals and organizations to grow WBW’s network; and researching and writing original content for publication.

For the later project, my task was to research the U.S. military bases worldwide and their harmful effects. I supervised three interns from the Philippines: Sarah Alcantara, Harel Umas-as and Chrystel Manilag, where we achieved tangible progress for another team to continue.

What’s your top recommendation for someone who wants to get involved with anti-war activism and WBW?

All the members of WBW are a family where they work hard to achieve an aim which is ending brutal war around the world. Everyone deserves to live in peace and freedom. WBW is the right place for everyone who seeks peace. Through WBW’s activities, including online courses, publications, articles, and conferences, you can educate yourself about what’s happening worldwide.

For peace lovers, I advise them to take part in WBW to make a change in this world. Furthermore, I urge everyone to subscribe to WBW’s newsletter and sign the declaration of peace, which I did a long time ago.

What keeps you inspired to advocate for change?

I take pleasure in doing work that matters. My participation in activist organizations gives me the sense that I have the ability to bring about change. I never fail to find new sources of motivation through perseverance, patience, and tenacity. The biggest inspiration I have is my occupied country, Palestine. Palestine has always motivated me to go on.

I hope that my academic work and articles published during my studies will enable me to obtain a position wherein I can assist my country in obtaining its independence. That process will include, of course, increasing public awareness of the sufferings experienced by the people of Palestine. Few seem to be aware of the hunger, lack of employment opportunities, the oppression and the fear that are a part of the daily life of all Palestinians. I hope to be a voice for my fellow Palestinians who have been marginalized for far too long.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your activism?

It has not affected me personally as all my work is done remotely.

Posted November 8, 2022.