Student activist and former Columbia University Buddhist Association leader Mohsen Mahdawi detained and facing deportation; C.U.B.A., others, respond
www.lionsroar.com
A Vermont federal judge has decreed that Mahdawi is not to be moved out of the United States or Vermont until he orders otherwise.

Sorry this is political, if we don’t want this here I will remove it. The only reason I thought this was worth sharing is the tidbits he shares on how his suffering brought him to Buddhism and the importance of acting as a Buddhist:

His quest for a way to deal with his suffering eventually led him to the Buddha’s teachings.

Mr. Mahdawi played a key role in organizing Vesak 2023 — a major joint celebration hosted by BCNY and CUBA to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.

The Buddhist Council of New York stands in firm support of Mr. Mohsen Mahdawi and affirms his steadfast dedication to nonviolence, inclusion, and respectful dialogue. His leadership exemplifies the values of mutual understanding, coexistence, and a commitment to the greater good.

As Buddhist Association president, Mohsen was committed to expanding the club’s reach to all members of Columbia’s community and beyond, constantly emphasizing the need for a compassionate and mindfully engaged world. He led collaborations with the Buddhist Council of New York, connecting community members with students, all in the hope of sharing Buddhist principles and practice. He hosted board meetings at his apartment, always ready with tea, snacks, and a deeply welcoming presence. Within our club, he spoke of his path to Buddhism in light of his harrowing experiences as a Palestinian refugee in the Israeli occupied West Bank. Our weekly meditations were a grounding space for him; they served as a place of healing and cultivated his passion for peacemaking and justice for all oppressed peoples.

s a Buddhist club on Columbia’s campus, we must remind ourselves that our practice transcends our meditation circles and theoretical conversations we have about interconnectedness and oneness. We must always turn outward to recognize the suffering, injustice, and oppression we witness around us. We must have the courage to speak out against, and engage with, this suffering, even when we feel fearful. Only then can we say we are truly living in the present moment.

I think this last line connects well with our Buddhist practice. A good reminder that it must not exist solely on the cushion and in our books.