Good afternoon,

On September 7, Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, started her 11,000 mile-journey across the United States to spread a message of hope and compassion towards refugees. Amal, whose name means "hope" in Arabic, has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of displaced children around the world who have fled war and persecution. Over half of the world’s refugees are children and many are urgently in need of support. Little Amal’s message is "Don’t forget about us."

Amal is currently visiting some of the United States’ most iconic sites and natural landscapes, from Boston to San Diego, to remind us that we are all one human family. On her walk, she has been welcomed by hundreds of artists, civil society activists, faith leaders, policymakers, and community organizers and members.

Since 2021, Little Amal has traveled through ninety-seven towns and cities around the world reaching nearly one million people in fifteen countries, and tens of millions more online.  Her walk in Europe followed a similar path to the one many Syrian refugees took between 2015 and 2016. Everywhere she goes, Amal learns about history, culture, music, art and more. She is greeted with ceremonies that are meaningful to the local people she meets.

I met Little Amal during her recent visit to Washington, D.C.. Undeterred by heavy September rain, many people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds gathered on the National Mall to welcome her. Most were children eager to learn about her journey from Syria through her eyes, her story searching for her mother, and hear her encouragement to those seeking freedom, opportunity, and safety. As a Syrian, I was deeply touched. And as an American, I felt proud to witness such a warm welcome for Little Amal. Her visit to D.C. is an important reminder for people in power of the challenges refugees and migrants face, and the urgent need for solutions.

Oula Alrifai and Little Amal in Washington, D.C., September 17, 2023. (Source: Oula Alrifai)

Eighteen years ago, I fled my home country, Syria, also seeking freedom and opportunity. Just like Little Amal, I undoubtedly believe that all humans are capable of choosing peace and kindness over fear and hatred.

Let’s continue to take action and support immigrants and refugees, because when we welcome the stranger, we truly change lives and better our world.

Stay hopeful and committed,

Oula Alrifai

Oula Alrifai
Assistant Vice President of Field & Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

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