On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War (KNOW), WMU Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and WMU Muslim Student Association (MSA) will host a special event, free and open to the community, “Surviving Genocide: A WMU Graduate’s Journey from Gaza to Michigan,” featuring Abdelaziz Abu Shaaban, a WMU alumnus and survivor of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
This event will provide a critical space for testimony, education, and collective reflection on the genocide in Gaza, as well as an opportunity for the community to come together in solidarity and action.
Abdelaziz Abu Shaaban: Background
Abdelaziz Abu Shaaban first arrived in Kalamazoo over twenty years ago to complete a Master's degree in Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies at Western Michigan University. During his degree program, he and his wife welcomed their first child, Yousof. After graduation, the family returned to Gaza and Abdelaziz lovingly served his community for two decades as a school teacher, specializing in instruction for the visually impaired, and welcomed two daughters to his family.
It's an understatement to say that everything changed in October 2023 when Israel's relentless bombardment of the Gaza strip began. On October 18, an Israeli airstrike ripped through the family home, killing Abdelaziz's oldest daughter Joud, and severely injuring him and his other children, just weeks after Yousof had begun his university studies. It's necessary to note that Abdelaziz lost his sight at the age of 8, so when his right arm was severely injured in the attack, he lost much of his ability to navigate the world all over again. After being treated at an overwhelmed Al Shifa Hospital, the family was among few able to evacuate to Egypt in November 2023, and then to the United States in December, eventually landing in Flint, Michigan.
Abdelaziz has undergone numerous procedures and rehabilitation programs to regain the use of his dominant arm, and is currently completing a program at the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons in Kalamazoo. He has used his time here to reconnect to the Kalamazoo community, to share his story and to advocate for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza and the liberation of the Palestinian people.
This event will feature:
A keynote address by Abdelaziz Abu Shaaban, detailing his personal journey, the war crimes committed against his people, and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
A communal dinner at 7:30 PM, honoring the observance of Ramadan by breaking fast together at sunset.
An interactive Q&A session, providing an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with Abdelaziz, ask questions, and discuss avenues for action.
Honoring Ramadan & Inviting the Community to Break Fast
As this event falls during the holy month of Ramadan, KNOW, WMUSJP, and WMUMSA invite the Muslim and non-Muslim community to join us for a communal dinner at 7:30 PM, catered by Shawarma King. We hope to create space for collective reflection and solidarity with Palestinians, many of whom have been forcibly starved due to Israel’s blockade and targeted destruction of food supplies.
Why This Matters
Expanding perspectives is critical in a time of mass disinformation. This event offers attendees the opportunity to hear directly from a Gaza genocide survivor, challenging mainstream narratives and deepening understanding of the realities on the ground in Gaza.
The genocide in Gaza has claimed the lives of what experts and officials estimate to be between 200,000 and 800,000 Palestinians. The U.S. government remains Israel’s largest financial and military financier, approving billions in weapons sales that continue to fuel ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, international students across the U.S. —including those at WMU—are facing unprecedented political persecution and repression due to recent executive orders targeting pro-Palestinian activists. Universities that rely heavily on international student tuition, including WMU, have failed to protect their students from these threats. Community-building and care are essential in times of crisis. This event is an opportunity to come together in solidarity, learn and connect, provide mutual support, and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice and humanity.
WMU students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend. Admission is free and open to the public. Donations will be directed to support Palestinian relief efforts.
Masks provided. Free parking in lot 61.
WMUK Article: A wounded WMU alumnus from Gaza is healing in the US, but says “I don't want to be a burden"
WMUK Article: Peace activists fundraise for a Gaza City family with Kalamazoo ties