“Be a voice to the voiceless. Step outside your comfort zone. Educate with empathy.” - Nihad Awad

On November 3rd, 2017, Nihad Awad, Executive Director and National Founder of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), delivered the Dr. Robert Coles "Call of Service" Lecture at Harvard Science Center. He emphasized his journey from a refugee in Jordan to a leading advocate for social justice in the United States and shared poignant reflections on his upbringing in a Palestinian refugee camp and struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly Muslims, in America today. He highlighted the alarming rise in Islamophobia and the ongoing challenges posed by discriminatory policies, including the Muslim ban and the de facto Muslim registry. Awad called for unity among diverse groups to combat these injustices, urging the audience to be proactive allies. He concluded by encouraging everyone to step outside their comfort zones and be voices for the voiceless, reinforcing the need for empathy and collective action in addressing social injustices.

Find additional insights from Nihad Awad and his call to action in the full video here and transcript of his lecture here.