Profile of Mahmoud Khalil: Palestinian Activist and Columbia University Graduate

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal US resident and prominent activist at Columbia University, was arrested under the Trump administration for participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Originally from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, he relocated to the US in 2022 and faces deportation despite his significant contributions as a social worker and scholar. He and his wife Noor Abdalla are expecting their first child in April amidst these challenges.

Mahmoud Khalil is a legal resident of the United States and the husband of Noor Abdalla, a dentist in New York. He is recognized for his role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University and was arrested last week under the Trump administration, which characterized these protests as antisemitic. Trump’s administration has indicated plans to further crack down on student activists involved in similar protests across the country.

Born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Khalil arrived in the U.S. in 2022 on a student visa and obtained permanent residency last year. Before migrating, he worked as a social worker in Syria and faced significant challenges due to the ongoing civil war that disrupted his education and aspirations.

While in Lebanon, he worked for a non-profit organization aiding Syrian children and eventually completed his bachelor’s degree in computer science at a Lebanese university. During this time, he met his future wife, Noor Abdalla, through a volunteer program, and their long-distance relationship culminated in marriage in New York in 2023.

Khalil has experience as a programme manager at the Syria Office within the British embassy in Beirut, overseeing the Syria Chevening Program. Former colleagues, including British diplomat Andrew Waller, praised him as a compassionate and intelligent individual. Khalil recently concluded his master’s studies at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, with his degree pending.

Currently, Khalil and his wife are anticipating the arrival of their first child in April, which adds to the emotional weight of his current legal troubles. Abdalla expressed the strain of possibly meeting their child under such difficult circumstances.

In summary, Mahmoud Khalil is a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University, facing potential deportation following his recent arrest. His journey from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria to a master’s candidate at Columbia is marked by resilience and significant personal achievements. The impending birth of his first child adds urgency and poignancy to his current situation, as his family confronts the ramifications of his legal challenges.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com