The shinning star

 My friend reminded me that true love and happiness come from inner beauty—it is skin deep, beneath the surface, in your heart ❤️. A person’s appearance is never enough to judge them. I am asking society to stop playing games and overusing social media. People are in control of their own happiness, and I know I don’t need anything else. I will find someone who loves me for who I am. I am happy, I have a wonderful life, and I love writing. I don’t need to compare myself to others through social media. No one should have to compare their happiness to others because it prevents true satisfaction with their own lives. Social media creates unrealistic expectations of success and happiness. Many people, especially children, have become addicted to technology, struggling to focus on learning basic skills because of constant screen use. We must remember that most people live in circumstances far more difficult than ours—such as those in Palestine, Syria, and other places where people are h...

l: Stop the Genocide in Palestine The world must wake up to the genocide happening in Palestine. Israel is not the victim in this conflict—the Palestinian people are suffering daily under occupation, oppression, and relentless attacks. Yet, mainstream media often distorts the truth, portraying Palestinians as terrorists while framing Israel as the oppressed. This reflects a broader problem: the media’s reluctance to show the suffering of non-white populations and its role in reinforcing racist stereotypes. The media rarely gives full coverage to marginalized communities, including Native Americans, Chinese, Italian immigrants, African Americans, people with disabilities, and women—especially Muslim women. Their stories, struggles, and resilience are often ignored, manipulated, or dehumanized. This systemic bias allows injustices, like the ongoing massacre in Palestine, to continue without proper global attention or accountability. Palestinians are fighting for their lives, their homes,...

Humanitarian toll: Gaza’s health ministry reports ~61,000+ Palestinians killed since Oct 7, 2023, with acute malnutrition and famine-level indicators documented b: Title: The Palestinian Crisis: A Case for Genocide Recognition Introduction: The ongoing conflict in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, has resulted in catastrophic human suffering. While terms like “war” and “occupation” have been widely used, many scholars, human rights organizations, and legal experts argue that the actions against Palestinians meet the international definition of genocide. Understanding this requires examining historical patterns of oppression, current humanitarian crises, and international legal frameworks. Historical Context: The roots of the Palestinian struggle date back over a century, but the most recent escalation began in the 20th century with displacement during the creation of Israel in 1948. Subsequent wars, occupation policies, blockades, and settlements have contributed to systemic marginaliza...

 The Shining Star Syrian Refugees and the Rest of the World By Sarah Elgohary —August 15 The Syrian refugee crisis remains one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time, yet it is often ignored until a celebrity makes a statement or the media briefly shines a spotlight. In the West, political rhetoric—especially among some U.S. leaders—has replaced compassion with fear. Many politicians, particularly Republicans, have used Islamophobia to justify biased policies, painting all Muslims as radical extremists and pushing to block Syrian refugees altogether. This dangerous stereotype ignores the reality that most Syrian refugees are innocent people fleeing war, not perpetrators of violence. Even leaders who present themselves as more supportive often fall short. For example, Hillary Clinton proposed increasing the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the U.S. by 55%, yet offered no concrete plan to support those already here. In both cases, political motives—whether fear or ...

My experience with cerebral palsy has taught me that the best advocate for an individual is often the individual. While parents, friends, and support systems can advocate with the best intentions, the most powerful way to demonstrate your feelings on an issue is to speak up for yourself. This realization has fueled my passion for teaching self-advocacy skills to others, ensuring that they can express themselves confidently. As a counselor, I aim to empower my clients to stand up for their beliefs and fight for justice. The individual voice is a powerful tool. Regardless of the resources available to them, everyone possesses a voice, and it is their most valuable resource because no one can take it away. In my role as a social worker, I will encourage my clients to harness and utilize their voices effectively. At Hunter's Silberman School of Social Work, I aspire to become a counselor and make a difference in the world. By using my own experiences with cerebral palsy, I hope to help...

  Subject: Urgent Situation of Refugees in Gaza I hope this message finds you well. I would like to express my enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with you once again. Inspired by recent news coverage, I have composed a piece that I believe is powerful  The situation in Gaza is dire, as thousands of refugees confront daily challenges in their struggle for survival under a relentless blockade and ongoing conflict. Many families are experiencing severe food shortages, leading them to the brink of starvation, with numerous children going to bed hungry and increasing rates of malnutrition. Educational institutions are either destroyed or operating under extreme scarcity, preventing countless young individuals from accessing a safe and stable education. This crisis creates a dual loss for these children, depriving them not only of the essential nourishment required for healthy development but also of the knowledge and opportunities necessary to forge a promising future. A...

  Subject: Introduction and Writing Submission Dear Icna Team, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sarah Elgohary, and I am a recent member of the Icna Sister organization. I am acquainted with Ms. Resema Ail and am reaching out to express my enthusiasm for publishing my writing with ICCNA.  As a dedicated writer, my work primarily focuses on refugee issues, drawing from my lived experience with cerebral palsy. This unique perspective fuels my passion for advocacy, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on behalf of others. I am particularly interested in contributing to Noor magazine with my writings on the refugee experience. I would like to share a piece of my work for your consideration: **Marxist Analysis: Education and the Refugee Crisis** To understand the roots of educational inequality, it is essential to examine the structural forces that shape global access to education. According to Karl Marx, society is divided by class struggle, wherein the ruling cla...

 The Power of Technology: A Double-Edged Sword in a Globalized World By Sarah Elgohary There is no denying that technology has transformed how people across the world receive, interpret, and respond to information. The internet’s rise at the turn of the 21st century brought about the rapid development of digital devices that allow for fast and easy communication. As a result, the role of the consumer has changed. With increased global connectivity, individuals are no longer just passive recipients of information—they are becoming global citizens. As global citizens, people must recognize the power they hold in shaping social realities through the consumption and circulation of information. Contrary to the belief that media has rendered individuals powerless, technology has actually increased the agency of the consumer. However, with that power comes responsibility. To fully realize this potential, people must learn how to use information critically—interpreting media messages and c...