Middle Eastern Student Association to host Syria 'Forgotten Revolution' event

In the last three years, Syria has faced a humanitarian crisis that still dominates the country, and the death toll of the revolution continues to climb.

The University of Tennessee’s Middle Eastern Student Association plans to educate UT students on this situation through the talk, “The Forgotten Revolution,” which will be Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in the Howard Baker Center: Toyota Auditorium. Food will be provided.

“What is going on in Syria has gone on too long,” said Daniel Sakaan, co-president of UT’s Middle Eastern Student Association. “It was in the media for a while, but I think people have forgotten about it. There is a lot of humanitarian aid that needs to be directed towards the country.”

The event will host Dr. Jaber Hassan, who will discuss the trips he makes to Syria to provide medical care for those in need.

“They’ll get a view at what his work does and what the organizations there are actually accomplishing and hopefully that’ll inspire them to get involved or at least talk about the events,” said Sakaan.

The crisis in Syria has personally affected Sakaan who has family that moved to the U.S. because living conditions in Syria were getting too dangerous.

“I remember visiting when I was younger and I’ve seen how beautiful the country is. It just makes me sad to see what is happening to it.”

Sakaan said he just wants UT students to be reminded of the situation in Syria.

“I just want them to know it’s still going on and if after the event they want to do something like donate money or help an organization then, that’s great.”

For more information on the Middle Eastern Student Association, click here.

Edited by Maggie Jones