International Women’s Day Panel at the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies 

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies hosted a panel discussion featuring distinguished faculty and students. The event highlighted the experiences and contributions of women in various fields at UNC. 

Dr. Nadia Yaqub, from the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, moderated the panel. She discussed feminism in the Middle East, the impact of the Gaza war on women, and the crucial roles women play in their communities. Dr. Juliane Hammer, from the Department of Religious Studies, shared her insights on gender and sexuality in Muslim communities and societies. Dr. Rana Alkhaldi, from the Department of Family Medicine, recounted her experiences working with women from diverse communities, including refugee women. She emphasized how her role as a family doctor has shaped her passion for patient education, advocacy, preventive medicine, and fostering long-lasting patient relationships. Dr. Hiba Abd El-Salam, a Graduate Student in the Global Studies Department, shared personal stories about women in Egypt and gender inequality. She also discussed her project of establishing a museum in Egypt for K-12 students, which she later opened to the community. 

The event concluded with an engaging discussion between the attendees and the panelists. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the importance of hosting similar panels to increase awareness about women’s experiences worldwide.