Yalla Shabab helps teach Palestinian Culture, History to Chicagoland youth

Many youth around the Chicagoland area have found a way to educate themselves on Palestinian culture and history through American Muslims for Palestine, specifically their sub group: Yalla Shabab. 

AMP, which has chapters in cities across the nation, is a non-profit organization that works to educate the American public and media about Palestine. The organization’s sub group, Yalla Shabab, catering to a high school audience, showcases Palestine’s rich culture and historical heritage by assembling a group of representatives from nine schools in the Chicagoland area: Oak Lawn Community High School, Aqsa, Universal, Stagg High School, Argo Community High School, Richards High School, Andrew High School, Sandburg High School, Reavis High School, and one group from The Islamic Community Center of Illinois. 

AMP and Yalla Shabab hold events every month and have an annual conference in November. AMP hosts lecture meetings called “Interactive Talks,” conducted twice a month, and one meeting meant to discuss ideas for planning events. Yalla Shabab holds high school events once a month, each at a different school that is part of the group. 

“AMP gave us an opportunity to bring the youth in our community together to raise awareness about issues that are important to every Palestinian,” Fatima Al-Hyari, an AMP supervisor, told Palestine in America. 

AMP finds the most important concept of their organization to be building a generation of passionate and motivated youth, which is what motivated them to start Yalla Shabab. The students in this organization feel the same way, focusing on enlarging the participation in both groups. 

“If I don’t know where my ancestors come from, it won’t help me find myself as a person,” Dunia Samra, 18, said. “The information we learn in this group allows me to help push the resistance Zionists are putting upon our country. Being part of this organization teaches you a lot about the history and culture, which many people don’t know enough about.”

Samra credits these groups with her ability to be a better leader and help her channel her passion.

Her brother, Ehaab Samra, expressed the same sentiment. He wants to bring awareness to Palestine because it’s a place he cares about.

“These groups taught me about events and conflicts that have taken place, along with what is currently happening,” he said. “Once you become more knowledgeable on them, you start to care more about them. It has a big impact on your life.”

AMP and Yalla Shabab will be holding events in February to inform and recruit new members. Yalla Shabab recruiters say if interested in their organization, reach out to their representatives on campuses. 

“I hope Yalla Shabab continues to get bigger and better until it becomes one of the biggest youth movements in the country,” Al-Hyari said.