Thursday night was the first time Waleed Brinjikji, an MSU physiology senior, shared his story on campus about how his family's trip to Lebanon turned into a fight for their lives.
In mid-July, Brinjikji and some of his family, including his mother, visited Lebanon in hopes of seeing some of their family's heritage.
When fighting began between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, a political and military group stationed in Lebanon, he sensed the danger of the situation.
Brinjikji and his family were forced into hiding, spending countless nights fearing for their lives as bombs were dropped near the home in which they were living.
With the help of others, Brinjikji and his family were finally able to escape to Syria and return to the United States.
The night began with Yusuf Begg, an economics senior with the MSU Muslim Students' Association, who said the event was not meant to place blame or decide who was right or wrong, but instead to strictly focus on this family's tough journey.
Begg, who had known Brinjikji from a local Mosque near their hometowns, said he was alarmed when he heard what happened to Brinjikji but was hopeful of what people could take away from the presentation.
"Now that he is back, I hope people can go on with an open mind and become more aware of the events going on around them," Begg said.
After Begg finished speaking, Brinjikji began vividly describing what he and his family went through, including witnessing building and car explosions.
"I wanted to go into this talk with a nonpolitical outlook," Brinjikji said. "I just want to tell my story and the truth that goes along with it."
Brinjikji spent almost an hour discussing what happened during his time in Lebanon. From his travels to the Israeli-Lebanon border prior to the fighting to his description of the sounds of buildings exploding during the bombing, Brinjikji's talk kept everyone in the audience fixed on him.
"The best thing I can do right now that I am here is help spread the word," Brinjikji said. "I just want to help people understand more about what people like me had to go through to get back to their loved ones."
Ramy Goueli, an MSU biochemistry junior and one of Brinjikji's best friends, said what happened to Brinjikji showed how strong a person he is and also that he was hopeful his generation can produce more men like him.
"Waleed had a very strong character prior to the trip, but him coming back has just made him that much of a stronger person," Goueli said. "I just hope the presentation makes our generation more active and less apathetic."
Brinjikji wrapped up his talk to a round of applause and an audience of many teary eyes. He said he wants people to understand the concept of war and how it affects innocent bystanders.
"I would like people to realize that war really destroys humanity and destroys people's lives," Brinjikji said. "I want people to sympathize with victims of war."
