Asil Ziara, 2023 graduate of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Business and Economics, Department of International Relations, shared not only the tragedy of Gaza but also personal reflections from her years as a student in Cyprus in a deeply moving article written for Al Jazeera English, one of the world’s leading international news outlets.
The article titled “How do you carry a home that keeps breaking?” published on Al Jazeera’s global platform, conveys, personal life of Ziara in Gaza, the experiences of war and displacement, and the struggle to reconstruct a sense of “home” while pursuing education abroad. In the piece, Ziara shares heartfelt reflections ranging from her arrival in Cyprus and academic journey at EMU to her memories of life on the island and experiences in the classroom.
Ziara left Gaza at 17 years old in 2019 to study international relations, a moment she now describes as “the moment world called for me”. Ziara recalled that on her very first night in the TRNC, she experienced the deepest sleep of her life, noting that after years of living in Gaza amid the noise of war, uncertainty, and fear, her body encountered true silence for the first time in Cyprus.
“EMU was like a Tiny World”
In her article, Ziara underlined that EMU represented far more than an academic institution, highlighting the friendships she built with students from various countries, the practical use of English in the classroom, and the meaningful memories formed during her preparatory studies. She noted that one of her most unforgettable memories in Cyprus was her first day in EMU’s English preparatory class, which she described as a “tiny world” due to its multicultural environment. The article received significant international attention.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen, Head of Department of Political Science and International Relations at EMU Faculty of Business and Economics, stated that he was proud to see the voice and courage of his former student, Ziara, resonate with a broad international audience through her impactful article published on Al Jazeera English. Noting that the article is a deeply impactful reflection of home, loss and resilience, Prof. Dr. Sözen underscored that it was written with clarity, honesty and grace. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Sözen added, “While reading, consider Gaza not as a news headline, but as a home shaped by millions of personal stories, including Ziara’s”.
EMU Faculty of Business and Economics Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Besim highlighted that the powerful piece written by Asil Ziara once again demonstrates that EMU is an institution that cultivates not only academic knowledge, but also conscience, freedom of expression, and a sense of global responsibility. Noting that Ziara’s voice has evolved into a universal human call, Prof. Dr. Besim stated that they are proud of her.
“We are Deeply Proud”
Making remarks on the topic, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç stated that while the article represents a personal milestone for Ziara, it also showcases the power, skill and dedication of EMU’s multicultural student body. Saying that EMU is deeply proud with the achievement of its alumna, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated that Ziara is recognized as a source of motivation for current and prospective students from TRNC, Türkiye and all around the world.
Prof. Dr. Kılıç underlined that as an international higher education institution in Northern Cyprus, EMU places strong emphasis on supporting students from diverse backgrounds, including those from regions impacted by conflict. He also noted that the visibility of Ziara’s story in a major global news outlet has contributed to raising awareness about the impact of war on young people and their right to education.