LOCATION CHANGE! This event has been moved; it will now take place at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Auditorium E. (Enter through the main hospital entrance and go down the hallway to the right of the information desk.)
Mohsen Mahdawi was born and raised in a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank of Israel. Despite members of his family being injured and killed by the Israeli army, Mohsen held on to his uncle's dream of pursuing his education as the only hope. This he did initially at Bir Zeit University in Ramallah before escaping in 2014 over the wall into Israel and then on to the U.S. after obtaining his visa.
David met Mohsen 11 years ago in Hanover, at which time Mohsen spoke to David’s Osher class. With steadily improving English, Mohsen audited courses at Dartmouth, and soon after, Lehigh University offered him a full scholarship. After two years at Lehigh, Columbia University (NYC) lured him to their campus – again, all tuition paid – and assured a path to their law school or graduate school of diplomacy after completing his undergraduate degree.
At Columbia, Mohsen was elected President of the Student Palestinian Union, and President of the Buddhist Association, as he embraced Buddhism for its gentleness and compassion. And then came October 7th, 2023 – Gaza and Israel. Mohsen, as a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. with a valid, legal Green Card, spoke out on the Columbia campus in support of Middle East peace, advocating for the Palestinian people to have freedom and rights inline with the framework of human rights and international law while achieving security equally for both Israelis and Palestinians.
When appearing for his scheduled U.S. Citizenship interview (Burlington, VT) in mid April 2025, after answering all questions correctly, Mohsen was suddenly handcuffed and taken away in unmarked cars by masked ICE federal agents. After 16 days in detention and a Court decision, he was freed and allowed to graduate (with honors) this past June. Presently, he is continuing his graduate studies at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs while awaiting the Second Circuit Court of Appeals' decision. At hand are the government's national security claims and the First Amendment questions at the center of Mohsen's case, which could impact all Americans.
Perhaps no one in the United States is presently more stalwart, brave, and courageous in defending free speech - for ALL of us - than Mohsen.
Come join us for a Conversation with David and Mohsen Mahdawi where questions will be welcome as we learn from this extraordinary young gentleman about his life, struggles, and goals.