GU-Q students uncover stories of resilience and hope in Europe

DOHA: Amid the echoes of past conflicts in Bosnia and the ongoing struggles in Poland, two Georgetown University in Qatar (GU Q) students, Minahil Mah...

DOHA: Amid the echoes of past conflicts in Bosnia and the ongoing struggles in Poland, two Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) students, Minahil Mahmud (SFS’26) and Michelle Hadebe (SFS’25), are uncovering stories of resilience and hope.

Through the esteemed Education and Social Justice (ESJ) Fellowships, they explored the pivotal role of social justice initiatives in post-conflict recovery.

Minahil Mahmud’s journey took her to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she delved into the complexities of interfaith dialogue, education, and peacebuilding in a society recovering from the Bosnian genocide of 1992-1995.

Her independent fieldwork involved engaging with various communities, offering unique insights into the nation’s recovery process. “I examined the programming of a faith-based organization in facilitating connections between young people from different religious backgrounds and regions of the country,” she said.

One of Minahil’s most memorable moments was her interaction with students aged 15-19 at the John Paul II Youth Center in Sarajevo. “They were very grateful for being given the time and space to share their experiences,” she said. Through workshops and shared meals, Minahil uncovered stories of resilience and hope central to her study on healing from conflict.