Stephanie Batshon, an environmental engineering junior from Syria, is one of many students who sympathizes with the people who are trying to carry on their day-to-day lives during the civil war in Syria.

“It’s really impossible,” Batshon said. “Could you imagine hearing bombs when you’re going to school or work?”

Dr. Russell Lucas, co-director of the Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities program at MSU, said the civil war in Syria has resulted in the deaths of at least 80,000 people.

“Neighboring countries like Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon are becoming overwhelmed with the number of refugees, and the number of internally displaced persons inside of Syria is even larger,” Lucas said. “The international community has promised aid to help with the refugee crisis, but so far the actual aid delivered is only a small fraction of what was promised and what is truly needed.”

Last Friday, national Muslim organizations, youth groups, Muslim Student Associations, or MSAs, regional coalitions, mosques and families came together and raised their hands in du’a, or prayer, for the people of Syria, an event which was called Global Qiyam for Syria.

Mohamed Mabrouk, Imam of the Islamic Center of East Lansing, 940 S Harrison Road, said about 50 people showed up for the qiyam that took place after the prayer of Isha.

“We as people have to do our part for those who are suffering over there,” Mabrouk said. “Even if it means just standing up for qiyam. We believe du’a is so powerful it can change the condition of the situation.

Baraa Osman, neuroscience junior who also is Syrian, took action during the Global Qiyam for Syria in his hometown of Flint, Mich. Osman said about 75 people participated in the qiyam in Flint.

Osman’s number-one concern is for his family members who were located in Syria but had to disperse to neighboring countries because of the dangerous conditions.

“There is a group of secret police called the Shabiha who are a part of the Syrian regime,” Osman said. “If the Shabiha found out that any citizens of Syria opposed the regime they would question you and barge into your home without notice. Lots of people have been killed because of that.”

Osman said his MSA group in Flint has gone down to Washington, D.C. to protest for the people in Syria in front of the White House and the Syrian Embassy that is located there. He also said a lot of Shabiha people would scout rallies so they can eventually find out where you live in Syria so if you ever went back to Syria, they can detain you once you get there.

“I can’t even go back to my home country if I wanted,” Osman said.