Graduate Profile: Almuataz Monther Salem '11
Every graduate of Bethlehem University has an interesting and compelling story to tell. Because of the unique situation of Bethlehem University and the diversity of the Palestinian people it serves, many fascinating things can be heard but sometimes there are stories that are especially noteworthy for the way they reflect the triumph of the human spirit of the students of Bethlehem University.
Take student Almuataz (el-MU-taz), class of '11. Majoring in Computer Science, Almuataz is completing his studies after having endured an academic career rife with troubles which resulted from living in a part of Palestine which is contested. The village, called Al Wallajeh, is located between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Practically, it is under the care of the Palestinian Authority, which provides all services however the Israeli Military Authority retains external control of the area. Residents who apply to the Israeli government for permits to build houses are out rightly refused as the Israelis claim these Palestinian residents have no legal rights in the area.
When Almuataz’s family, in 2003, applied for a permit to build the family a new permanent home with money borrowed from dear family members living in New York, they were refused. This caused a great amount of consternation for the family as not only did they have the need and right to own their own home – they could see that as Palestinians living in Palestinian lands, they had a logical right to do so.
Trusting in God, the Salem family erected the home and moved in with joy and celebration. Soon afterwards, though, horrible news arrived. The house that they had lovingly built was slated for demolition. For the next three years, the Salem family battled the demolition order in the Israeli courts. During that time, Almuataz applied to and was accepted into Bethlehem University. The judge of the case claimed that the Salem family did not even have business appealing the decision as they were Palestinians and not part of the Israeli system, amplifying the already omnipresent uncertainty of the status of the village. Ultimately, the decision to demolish the Salem home was upheld and the fee of 30,000.00 NIS ($8,600.00) was to be paid by the already indebted Salems. On December 31st, 2006, Israeli workers knocked on Almuataz’s door and ordered them to grab their belongings and vacate the house. The house was then demolished. Almuataz struggled to finish exams during his first semester as a Bethlehem University student.
The family moved in with relatives while Almuataz and his brother chose to remain in a tent by the ruins of the house. He explains they felt miserable about the idea of losing the nascent independence that came with living in their own home. Meanwhile many internationals came to witness the situation while local residents and even some Israeli’s pooled money to rebuild the family’s home. So by 2008, Almuataz’s second year in university, the family had a new home. Again the dark news came that the house was to be demolished but this time, to make way for the Israeli Segregation Wall. After only 8 months, demolition workers tore down the house.
Noting this huge injustice, internationals and locals decided to do something again to help the Salem’s, who had become fatigued from psychological, financial, and physical suffering they had endured. They initially refused the Holy Land’s Trust’s offer to build the home again however after persistence; they decided to take the risk again. After the efforts of hundreds of people, the house was built and the Salem’s moved in.
So far, Almuataz says, the Israeli’s have not sent any new demolition orders however the family does not feel secure as the Wall, which is planned to surround the village, has been built only 50 meters away from the house. Almuataz says this experience has strengthened him and given him maturity far beyond previous levels. He says that the insight his suffering has given him pointed him in the direction of the fight for human rights. After his graduation, he plans to travel to the UK to volunteer with Rights and Humanity in Liverpool to help contribute to what he knows to be needed in his land; hearts and minds that desire and are educated for peace in this land. Bethlehem University wishes all graduates great success and hopes that like Almuataz, they will choose paths that will lead to a better future for themselves and Palestine.