SWANA CON

RISE

swana con jan1819

Reclamation, Innovation, Solidarity, & Empowerment

SWANA CON Agenda 2025

Saturday, January 18th

Sunday, January 19th

  • 9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. | Registration/Light Breakfast
    Check in and enjoy refreshments.
  • 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Opening Plenary
    Spotlight speaker, keynote speaker, and group activities.
  • 12:00 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. | Lunch
    Halal and vegetarian options available.
  • 12:20 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Group Photo
    Join us for a conference photo.
  • 1:20 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. | Breakout Block I
    Various sessions to choose from.
    Name Title Description Bio Room Theme
    Malaka Gharib Create a Mini Zine to Explore Your SWANA Identity  In this session, artist and cartoonist Malaka Gharib will teach you how to cut and fold an eight-page mini zine, a staple of the zines and comics community. Then using guided prompts, you'll answer questions about your relationship with your SWANA identity, writing and drawing your answers into the mini zine. By the end of the session, you should have a completed, illustrated zine about your SWANA identity, ready to photocopy and share with others, keep for yourself or post on social media. 

    Malaka Gharib is a journalist, cartoonist and graphic novelist. 
    She is the author of "I Was Their American Dream," a graphic memoir published in 2019 about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American, which won an Arab American Book Award in 2020. Then in 2022, she published "It Won't Always Be Like This," a graphic memoir about her summers in the Middle East.

    By day, she works as a digital editor at NPR for Life Kit, a lifestyle podcast about health, finance, relationships and more. Her comics and writing have been published in the Los Angeles Times, Catapult, The Believer Magazine and The New Yorker.

    		 HUB 260 Innovation
    Human Migration Institute: 
    Dr. Selin Y. Nielsen (HMI),
    Soraya Safaipour (UCR, IMPACT Intern),
    Leen Kawas (HMI, Academic Coordinator),
    Friba Dawar (HMI, Cultural & Community Liaison)    		 Shifting perceptions: Engaging Communities in Refugee Support and Inclusion. The panel will provide brief insights into their personal experiences and discuss their work with community-focused organizations. They will highlight the importance of volunteering and how such efforts can make a meaningful impact. The session is designed to inspire students to contribute to their communities by addressing the needs of newcomers and fostering a more inclusive environment. Soraya Safaipour is a Psychology and Law undergraduate at the University of California, Riverside, and a second-generation Iranian and Irish American interested in national identity and navigating biculturalism within the mixed SWANA community.
    Friba Dawar is a refugee from Afghanistan with a passion for promoting education, well-being, and social justice for women and the Afghan community.
    Dr. Leen Kawas holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Riverside, and currently oversees the ESL Literacy and Tutoring Program. 
    Dr. Selin Yildiz Nielsen is the Founder and CEO of the Human Migration Institute (HMI), a nonprofit organization in Riverside, California, dedicated to empowering refugee and immigrant populations through education, employment, and community integration.    		 HUB 265 Empowerment
    Megan Murphy, Mona Kadah Poppies in Palestine: a conversation with Palestinian artist, Mona Kadah Mona Kadah is a Palestinian-Syrian artist based in California. She will share her story with interviewer, Meg Murphy, about how she uses the medium of watercolor to explore topics of resilience, remembrance, and identity. Mona aims to empower and inspire other artists and creatives to tell their own stories and embrace their culture. She will share the stories behind some of her pieces inspired by Palestine and challenge young artists to think of themselves as storytellers.

    Megan Murphy is a Syrian/Irish-American who directs UCR’s Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Program. She is a professional archaeologist who has always been interested in ancestry and cultural heritage. Through her work at UCR she has repatriated over 15,000 cultural objects to indigenous communities.

    Mona Kadah is a watercolor artist based in California. She studied and trained in Damascene or Ajami Painting (traces of traditional handcraft). As a scuba diver she feels that water is life and working with it to create art is fresh, light, and expressive. She has entered her art into various juried shows and won first place at CVWS 2021 and CVWS Kathleen Scroggins prestigious Demonstrators Choice Award in 2024. Her art is displayed at the Artist Center, The Galen, Redlands Art Association, and La Quinta Art Studio.

    		 HUB 269 Empowerment
    Rachel Wada, Hiba Abdeljalil Navigating the Complexities of Supporting SWANA Students: A Brief History, the Erasure of Black and non-Arab SWANA, and Data Practices The presenters will share the challenges they have experienced supporting SWANA students at their institution, will complicate SWANA experiences by exploring the erasure of Black SWANA, non-Arab SWANA, and other communities within the SWANA region. The presenters will also share challenges that data collection presents. The purpose of this session is to encourage collaboration to support SWANA students while also centering the margins of SWANA.

    Hiba (they/them) currently serves as a Student Success Coordinator for the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center. They also served as Residence Director at Colorado State University, where they oversaw the global village Residential learning community as well as the Arts and Creative Expressions Residential learning community in Parmelee Hall.

    Rachel (she/her) is a Multiracial, fourth generation Japanese-American woman from Aurora, Colorado. Rachel obtained her master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut and currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC) at Colorado State University (CSU).

    		 HUB 367 Solidarity
    Summer Ismail History of Social Movements   Summer Ismail, a recent graduate from UC San Diego with degrees in Political Science and Communication focusing on International Relations, is now working as a Community Organizer for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in San Diego. As a passionate advocate for change, Summer led Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at UC San Diego and served as the co-head of the Social Justice Committee for the Muslim Students Association (MSA). Through these positions, Summer helped pass a divestment of $8.2 million within the Associated Students, end the contract with Burger King, and encourage hundreds of students to speak up and be agents of change. HUB 379 Empowerment

     

  • 2:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. | Breakout Block II
    Various sessions to choose from.
    Name Title Description Bios Room Theme
    Megan Murphy, Freshta Moosa The Refugee Journey: A Personal Story of Survival and Resilience
    Freshta Moosa shares her background as an Afghan refugee and introduces her family’s story as a way to help students connect with the refugee experience on a personal level. The workshop aims to foster empathy for refugees, using the Freshtas family journey to illuminate the challenges of migration and integration.
    Learning outcomes include a better understanding of refugee struggles and the significance of cultural preservation amidst the pressures of assimilation.
         		 As a passionate and dedicated fifth-grade teacher, Freshta Moosa discovered a renewed sense of purpose, which has now evolved into her pursuit of a master’s degree in psychology.  
    A true extrovert and social butterfly, Freshta thrives on building connections and fostering community. Currently, she is channeling her energy into caring for her elderly mother, who is facing early-onset dementia, while simultaneously running her one-woman bakery business Waatani Delights. Known for her delectable Afghan cream rolls, Freshta delights local farmers' markets and private events with her unique treats. A natural at balancing multiple roles, she remains deeply committed to creating meaningful connections and savoring life’s rich experiences which has blessed her with lifelong relationships worldwide.    		 HUB 260 Solidarity
    Muntadhar Aljadeed, Amin Nash United We RISE with AACC! During challenges facing our communities, we have seen victory through unity. United, we RISE! This workshop is designed for participants interested in learning organizing and advocacy skills through the experience of the Arab American Civic Council (AACC). You will engage with real-world scenarios to develop strategies for organizing and effective action. The session includes interactive discussions, collaborative idea-sharing, and actionable toolkits to empower you beyond the workshop. By the end of the workshop, you will gain knowledge and experience in holding advocacy groups to empower their communities, creating solutions for challenges they might face within their communities, and learning to RISE (Reclaim, Innovate, Solidarity, & Empower) through the eyes of AACC. Amin Nash is the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for the Arab American Civic Council. He is currently a lead for the Count MENA In CA Coalition and helped draft bill language for AB 91, the MENA Inclusion Act. His previous work includes conducting a Little Arabia Stakeholder Survey to advocate for the Little Arabia District and authoring demographic reports for the OC MENA community. He is a graduate of CSULB and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Claremont Graduate University, focusing on Cultural Studies and SWANA Studies.  Muntadhar Aljadeed is the IMPACT Intern at AACC. He's successfully advocated for community gardens in Anaheim and is focused on Environmental Policy (?) HUB 265 Empowerment
    Aya Baazizi, Lailah Bezan Exploring North Africa: A Dialogue on Collective Struggle  This session will be an exploration of North African political struggle, from colonization and the Arab Spring, to the genocide in Sudan today. It will include dialogue on the marginalization of North African causes and how we could better support both North Africans and the Sudanese people amidst political turmoil— from boycotts and mutual aid to government pressure. Come learn about the different phases of North African politics and how we can better show solidarity within the SWANA community! 

    Lailah Bezan is a recent UCLA graduate who works as a teaching assistant, freelance journalist and SWANA organizer. On campus, she worked as writer for the student-run Muslim publication Al-Talib, covering current events from Palestine to Afghanistan. Her latest work was published with The Institute for Palestine Studies, documenting a timeline from the mob attack on the UCLA encampment to the October lawsuit against the school. She is passionate about the visibility of North African countries that are enduring humanitarian catastrophes, such as Sudan and Libya, and hopes to increase her advocacy work for the region.

    Aya Baazizi is an Algerian Sociology student at CSUF. She currently works in college access and helps High School students and College Freshmen with their path towards higher education. She is passionate about making an impact in her local community as well as bringing visibility to the North African identity. She is copresident of CSUF's newly founded North African Student Association, and is the NNAAC fellow for Arab American Civic Council.

    		 HUB 268 Solidarity, Expowerment
    Shaheen Nassar, Ameen Ahmed Islamophobia, Monstrosity and Genocide This workshop aims to dissect the discourse around the genocide in Gaza and better understand how genocide against a predominantly Muslim, Palestinian population can be palatable to a contemporary liberal, Western society. The focus will be on how depictions of Muslims and Islam as monstrous existential threats has been a consistent trope that predates the war on terror by several centuries. These monstrous distortions continue in the modern western media coverage of the most well documented genocide in modern history. These distortions serve to displace facts in the public discourse on Gaza, racially criminalize an entire people, and manufacture consent for genocide. The conversation will also cover the relationship between political discourse and popular media phenomena in the horror film industry. 

    Shaheen Nassar is a UCR alumnus,  community organizer and member of the Irvine 11.  Shaheen is afreelance jouranalist whose articles have been published on platforms including Al Jazeera.  During his time at UCR, Shaheen was an active member of SJP and MSA. 

    		 HUB 269 Innovation
    Rumzi Asad Halim RISE Above Apartheid This session will break down the various levels of apartheid being enacted against Palestinians in the various parts of Palestine. We will draw similarities and SOLIDARITY between Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid and the Palestinian struggle against apartheid. We will look into the INNOVATION of the student movement that defeated South African Apartheid, and how that can EMPOWER our current student movement for Palestine. Rumzi is a senior at UC Riverside majoring in Chemical Engineering and a former board member of the Students for Justice in Palestine. Rumzi was one of the primary organizers of the UCR encampment in Spring 2024 which led to the complete and indefinite suspension of all UCR study abroad programs in Israel. When Rumzi isn't studying or waving a flag by UCR's belltower he's working with off-campus advocacy groups such as Riv4Palestine to bring greater community awareness to the Palestinian struggle.   HUB 379 Reclamation

     

     

     

  • 3:55 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. | Breakout Block III
    Various sessions to choose from.
    Name Title Description Bio Room Theme
    Summer Ismail & Omar Abusham SWANA Leadership: The Importance of Civic Engagement We will be delving  into the transformative power of civic engagement at all levels. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how civic involvement has driven real change in society and to equip them with the skills needed to engage effectively in their communities. Through interactive discussions and practical guidance, the workshop will inspire participants to consider running for leadership roles, such as student government, at their universities. It will also emphasize the importance of ensuring SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) voices are represented in these spaces, fostering inclusivity and diversity in decision-making. By connecting historical insights with actionable steps, this workshop will empower students to become catalysts for progress, both within their campuses and beyond. It seeks to cultivate a generation of leaders ready to champion equity, representation, and impactful change.   HUB 260 Empowerment
    Sophia Armen & Nairi Shrinian Building Real SWANA Power Join former UC students and current day organizers building real power in our communities for the strategies on how to build effective resistance and win real change. Presenters will go through the history of the SWANA UC checkbox and Divest movement, and current day civil rights, immigrant justice and racial justice struggles. Build together for tangible wins as student organizers from policy to the streets. Nairi Shirinian is a Western Armenian American attorney, activist, and SWANA organizer. As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, Nairi ran the SWANA Checkbox campaign, which changed the ethnicity reporting portion of the University of California undergraduate application. She has taken her advocacy to a national level, advocating for the inclusion of a Middle Eastern/North African Checkbox on the Census and serving on the leadership team of Armenian-American Action Network, an organization dedicated to advocating for the civil rights of Armenian Americans. 
    Sophia Armen is a SWANA-American organizer from Los Angeles, CA. She serves in the leadership of The Feminist Front and Armenian-American Action Network. She was the first SWANA-American women president of UC Santa Barbara.     		 HUB 268 Empowerment
    Rabia Ludin & Iman Mimou Building Resiliency and Self care

    During this session, a presentation will be delivered on self-care and building resiliency. Key topics will include: Building resiliency, effective stress management techniques, and the crucial role of self-care in achieving overall wellness.

    To further support participants, a wealth of resources will be shared, including promotional materials, resource sheets and informative handouts on the presented topic.

    		 Iman Mimou is a Syrian-American UCR Alum with a Masters Degree in Organizational Psychology. She now works with Sahaba Initiative in their Wellbeing Program. Rabia Ludin is a Mental Health Promoter with the Sahaba Initiative, bringing 13 years of diverse experience in various departments within NGOs, particularly within the Education Sector. She holds Bachelor's degrees in both Computer Sciences and Business Administration - Management. Her academic pursuits have included research on Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Job Satisfaction. Currently, Rabia is actively engaged in promoting mental health awareness, building upon the valuable trainings she received from the Riverside University Health System. HUB 269 Empowerment
    Younes Mourchid Innovative Approaches to Amplifying the Voices of Palestinian Protestors and Middle Eastern Allies

    In the face of ongoing conflicts and socio-political challenges, Palestinian protestors and their allies have continually sought innovative methods to amplify their voices and share their narratives with the global community. This discussion explores contemporary innovations that can be utilized to effectively communicate the struggles of people in the Middle East. Key innovations include the use of digital storytelling platforms, social media campaigns, and virtual reality (VR) experiences. Digital storytelling platforms allow for the creation of compelling narratives through multimedia content, combining text, images, and videos to provide a holistic view of personal and collective experiences. Social media campaigns harness the power of viral content and global connectivity to raise awareness and mobilize support. Additionally, VR experiences offer immersive environments that can transport audiences to the heart of conflict zones, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the realities faced by those affected. These innovations not only enhance the visibility of contemporary struggles but also empower individuals to participate in advocacy and solidarity movements, ultimately contributing to a more informed and engaged global audience. 

    Dr. Younes Mourchid is a distinguished scholar and technologist with a profound commitment to education and human rights, particularly in the context of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He holds a Ph.D. in International Development Education, with a focus on the MENA countries. His academic journey has been marked by a deep exploration of identity education, cultural pluralism, and human rights within the frameworks of globalization and educational policy reform. Dr. Mourchid currently serves Chapman University as Director of Middle East and North Africa Achievement. 

    Dr. Mourchid has more than two decades of teaching experience , previously holding faculty positions at San Francisco State University, Cogswell College, University of California, Santa Cruz and University of Southern California (USC). His Ph.D. research at USC in International Development Education focused on key issues facing MENA countries, such as cultural pluralism, human rights and identity education. His dissertation examined Morocco’s higher education reforms and their impact on minority rights, specifically the status of Berber languages.

    Most recently, Dr. Mourchid has held senior learning and development positions within tech companies such as Miro, Atlassian, Docker and Coursera. His work prioritized user-centric learning solutions, program design and skill development. 

    		 HUB 367 Innovation
    Dunia Radwan & Nyana Farag Navigating gender roles in SWANA communities

    This session invites students within the SWANA community to engage in meaningful discussions about the stigmas tied to gender within our shared cultural experiences. The focus is on fostering understanding, empathy, and open communication to break down stereotypes and build stronger connections across gender lines.

    The session will begin with an introduction to the topic and the establishment of ground rules to ensure a respectful and supportive environment for all participants. From there, the floor will open for a dynamic group discussion. Whether through a Q&A format or guided prompts, attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, ask questions, and discuss assumptions as a collective.

    This interactive approach ensures that all voices are heard, empowering participants to reflect on their own perspectives while gaining insights into the experiences of others.

    Dunia Radwan is a first-generation Palestinian American and a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science. During her time at CSUF, Dunia served as a board member of SWANA. 

    Currently, Dunia is a Legal Intern at Islamic Arbitration and Mediation Services, where she is developing expertise in culturally responsive legal practices and alternative dispute resolution. She is also the founder of Hikayat Al-Ard, an initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of underrepresented voices from Palestine. As a proud Palestinian American, Dunia’s identity and experiences shape her work and drive her passion for advocacy, justice, and storytelling.

    Nyana Farag is a first-generation Egyptian-Palestinian student currently pursuing a degree in Biology at the University of California, Riverside. She is an active member of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), where she advocates for social justice and equality. Nyana aspires to become an attorney, with a focus on practicing in various fields such as corporate, property, and contract law. However, her ultimate passion lies in criminal justice, where she hopes to make meaningful changes in the legal system and politics, particularly in addressing issues affecting minorities. Her dedication to advocacy and justice reflects her strong commitment to creating a better future.
     

    		 HUB 379 Innovation

     

  • 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Break
    Time to pray/meditate, rest, etc.
  • 5:15 p.m. - 6:10 p.m. | Activity
    Network with students from various colleges/universities.
  • 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Dinner & Banquet
    Closing session including dinner (halal and vegetarian options) and banquet performers to end our conference.