Sul Ross State University will welcome representatives of the Middle East-based group Sharaka to campus Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a day of classroom conversations followed by a public discussion focused on education, antisemitism, the Holocaust, interfaith understanding and the pursuit of peace in the region.

The visiting speakers will participate in discussions with Sul Ross students in classrooms across several academic disciplines, including history, political science, government, education and psychology. The classroom visits will provide students with opportunities to engage directly with experts and advocates whose work addresses the history and contemporary impact of antisemitism, Holocaust and genocide education, cross-cultural understanding and peace-building.

The campus visit will culminate with a public discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Museum of the Big Bend Cultural Events Center. The event is free and open to the community.

The programming is sponsored by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC), which is part of the Texas Historical Commission.

The timing of the program carries particular significance as Oct. 7 marks the third anniversary of the 2023 attacks in Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, making the visit an opportunity to reflect on the human consequences of hatred and extremism while considering the role education and people-to-people engagement can play in building understanding.

The event also comes just weeks after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, the historic agreements announced in 2020 that established and normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states. Sharaka describes its work as people-to-people diplomacy designed to build dialogue, understanding, cooperation and friendship across the region. Its programs include educational delegations, Holocaust and tolerance education, and efforts to counter antisemitism and misinformation.

THGAAC’s mission is to combat and confront hatred, prejudice and indifference by educating Texans about the Holocaust and other genocides in an effort to dismantle antisemitism and prevent future atrocities. The commission works with schools, institutions of higher education, museums and community organizations to promote Holocaust, genocide and antisemitism education.

“We welcome the opportunity to bring this dedicated group of speakers to Sul Ross State University and the entire Big Bend region,” said THC Commissioner G.E. “Pete” Peterson, Alpine. “Antisemitism and cultural hatred are persistent issues that do not respect borders. Rarely discussed in our part of the state, I believe the topic deserves the attention and participation of the Big Bend community.

Representing Sharaka will be:

• Fatema Al Harbi of Bahrain, Sharaka’s Gulf Affairs director. Al Harbi is a peace advocate and One Young World European Commission Peace Ambassador who has represented youth voices on international platforms, including the United Nations SDGs Action Weekend. She holds degrees in management, politics and international management and advocates for interfaith dialogue, women’s inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
• Ahmed Khuzaie of Bahrain, a political consultant, author and international affairs commentator. Khuzaie is a managing partner at Khuzaie Associates LLC and has served as an ambassador for BPUR at the United Nations and the White House. He is also an author and regular commentator on international affairs.
• Luai Ahmed of Yemen, a columnist, journalist and content creator who speaks publicly against antisemitism, extremism and terrorism. Ahmed has become known for his English-language commentary addressing rising antisemitism and for his vocal opposition to extremism and terrorism.
• Alyssa Annis of Israel, Sharaka’s director of Educational Programs. Annis leads historical education initiatives focused on Holocaust education and remembrance across the Arab and Muslim world.

Through its people-to-people initiatives, Sharaka seeks to turn the possibilities created by the Abraham Accords into lasting relationships among people across the region. The organization emphasizes education and direct engagement as tools for challenging stereotypes and building cross-cultural understanding.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in the conversation.

For more information, visit thgaac.texas.gov or www.sharakango.com.