Faces Behind the Protests: Maryam Ahmed's inspiring activism
From ivory towers to activist arenas, Maryam Ahmed shares her journey of impact and advocacy.
In this day and age, social media is everything. We turn to social media to cure boredom, to talk to friends and family, to share our opinions, and in more recent times, to educate ourselves on matters that we wouldn't usually read up on. Since October 7th, social media has been flooded with infographics and story posts commenting on the Israel-Gaza war, an issue that predates the birth of not only social media but also the generation that currently lives on social media. Amidst all of this, a young girl stands out.
Maryam Ahmed, a third-year sociology student and multifaceted activist, serves as the creative director of Help The World Oxford (HTWO) and internal coordinator of the Cowley Climate Collective (CCC). Engaging in impactful advocacy, she recently spearheaded direct action for Palestine through lobbying and awareness initiatives. Recently completing carbon literacy training, she now educates on carbon emissions' impact, governmental responses, and climate inequality, spotlighting nations contributing most and suffering disproportionately from these emissions.
Fuelled by a passion for positive change, Maryam delves into societal dynamics and global repercussions of human actions. Advocating for the transformative power of youth, she insists, "As young people, we are the force of change, at the forefront of making an impact on the world we'll inherit." Driven by an innate desire for societal improvement, Maryam insists on actions fostering positive change, even amid potential repercussions. Recognising underrepresentation in activism, she underscores the importance of diverse voices. Reflecting on her privilege, she acknowledges her duty to prioritise activism, inspired by her parents' silent struggles as migrants. Maryam's journey epitomises a commitment to shaping a better, more inclusive future.
Fresh out of secondary school, Maryam connected with Ayesha Abbasi, the president of HTWO, offering assistance for a Beirut vigil. Since then, it's been a continuous journey of activism. Reflecting on her family's prior involvement, Maryam shares, "Before that, my family has been present in the activism scene; I've been attending protests, demonstrations, and fundraisers since the age of five." This early exposure laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to social change.
Inspired by her aunt's experiences in Nablus, Palestine, Maryam is deeply affected by the current Israel-Gaza war. Recalling a distressing incident where her aunt faced humiliation during an ambulance search, Maryam's commitment to direct action and advocacy is fuelled by her aunt's resilience against adversity in Palestine.
Engaging in activism, Maryam finds empowerment amid the challenges. Describing the experience, she says, “It's an adrenaline rush when you're in there, and you're speaking and you're yelling.” Yet, she acknowledges the intimidating atmosphere, navigating through attempts to silence her by men who try to take the mic or speak over her, requiring her to assert herself. This journey has transformed her confidence; once shy and anxious, she now asserts, “I'll speak when I need to speak, say what I need to say, I'm not offering to hold back.”
Embracing the complexity of Palestinian support, Maryam acknowledges the evolving narrative and the personal risks it entails. Former concerns about workplace or university repercussions now take a back seat as she asserts, “If something happens, so be it. At least I can say I stood up for something, I stood my ground and I didn't shy away.” Inspired by her university lecturers risking their jobs for Palestine, Maryam remains undeterred, concluding, “When it comes to that hurdle, I'll cross it. But for now, I am going to speak and do what I need to do.”
Navigating the challenging terrain of activism, Maryam emphasises, “Activism is never easy.” Beyond the facade of occasional infographics and protest photos, she underscores the inherent difficulty and discomfort that accompanies the pursuit of social change. Acknowledging the hardships, she shares, “It's never easy, especially when you get police intimidation, people yelling at you, people shouting…things like that. It's always going to come with hardships.”
The burden of prominence in activism brings its challenges, leading to burnout. As a student juggling dissertation work and a part-time job alongside her advocacy, Maryam describes the relentless schedule. “It's difficult to balance everything. I'll be going to a protest one day and the next day I wake up by 8 am to go to university, then come back and go to my part-time job, and then not have a proper day off in four weeks. When I do, I just collapse because I'm so exhausted.”
When asked about dealing with burnout, she wisely advises finding balance and knowing when to say no. “I would love to be able to do everything and be in all places at once. But unfortunately, that's not realistic. I can't do everything, and I can't take on everything as much as I'd want to.” The acknowledgement of limits becomes a crucial self-preservation strategy in the demanding world of activism.
As our conversation concludes, Maryam shares a poignant quote from South African anti-apartheid activist Solomon Mahlangu, echoing a sentiment that transcends time and borders: "Tell my people that I love them and that they must continue the fight, my blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom." Reflecting on her activism, Maryam emphasises the collective endeavour, stating, "It's never about the individual. We are one people, one organisation, one community. Don't use me as a means to stop… continue the pursuit, continue to make change for the greater good because it’s never about the individual. It's about the collective." In these words, she encapsulates the essence of her journey and the enduring spirit of activism.