We Race for Palestine

Finished a Half-Marathon to raise funds for Palestinian students

Sunday morning, three of my Iqraa teammates and I finished a half-marathon to raise funds for scholarships for Palestinian students.

The Iqraa team at the finish line (Photo by Kirk Campbell, with permission, Sep. 2024).

I am so grateful to all who contributed to my campaign with United Palestinian Appeal. If you are thinking about donating, this is the time–please do!

Please Donate to UPA’s Mahmoud Darwish Scholarship Fund:

https://act.upaconnect.org/RamseyHanhan

Ramsey Hanhan

Approaching the finish line, right behind teammate Samar, who’s carrying the Palestinian flag (Photos by official race photographers, with permission, Sep. 2024).

This was my first race with a team. I was delighted to run into my teammates Aubrey, Samar, and Imad along the course, and it was a nice surprise that three of us finished within a minute of each other. I am grateful to coaches Kirk Campbell and Cathy Baker for showing up to cheer for us. Their dedication and that of the other MCC coaches has inspired and motivated us all summer.

Running alongside teammate Imad (Photo by Kirk Campbell, with permission, Sep. 2024).

Throughout the course, other runners and onlookers commented on our shirts. One runner shouted ‘Free Palestine’ as he approached me. It felt a great honor to be representing Palestine publicly at this time.

Running in the dark at the start of the race (Photo by Kirk Campbell, with permission, Sep. 2024).

Keep running! (Photo by official race photographers, with permission, Sep. 2024).

With Love,

Ramsey Hanhan
Author, Fugitive Dreams