Inspiring stories on World Refugee Day

Each year on June 20, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the international day to honor people who have been forced to flee their homelands. Jusoor Post celebrates this day by highlighting inspiring stories of refugees who have overcome the hardships of being displaced from their homes and have embarked on a new journey of resilience and determination.

Einstein the refugee and his humanitarian legacy 

Albert Einstein is widely recognized as a brilliant mind, renowned physicist, and Nobel laureate. Although his theory of relativity had a profound impact on the world, his legacy extends beyond his scientific achievements. Einstein was also a refugee and a passionate advocate for humanitarian causes, playing a vital role in inspiring the establishment of the organization that eventually evolved into the International Rescue Committee.

Scientist Albert Einstein, creator of the relativity theory / Shutterstock

By the time Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, Albert Einstein had already achieved fame as a prominent physicist who had won the Noble prize in physics in 1921. However, as a German Jew, his life took a drastic turn. According to the International Rescue Committee, during Nazi rule, Einstein’s civil liberties were revoked, and he was prevented from resuming his professorship at the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin. The Nazis targeted Einstein, raiding his property and burning his books, as they sought to suppress his ideas and the intellectual legacy he represented.

After fleeing Germany, Einstein sought refuge in the United States and eventually settled in Princeton, New Jersey. During this time, there were no formal programs or aid agencies dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of fellow refugees. However, Einstein, driven by his humanitarian spirit, took it upon himself to assist those in need. The International Rescue Committee quoted him saying, “I am almost ashamed to be living in such peace while all the rest struggle and suffer.”

According to the International Rescue Committee's website, Einstein played a pivotal role in its formation. In July 1933, the International Relief Association was created at Einstein's request, with the participation of prominent American artists, intellectuals, and political leaders. This association aimed to assist Germans impacted by Hitler's policies. As World War II escalated and Paris was occupied by the Nazis, the Emergency Rescue Committee was established. Eventually, these two groups merged to form the organization that would later become the International Rescue Committee.

Muzoon Almellehan: ‘Malala of Syria’ 

Muzoon Almellehan is a Syrian refugee and activist known as the “Malala of Syria”. Born in Daraa, Syria, Muzoon and her family were forced to flee their home due to the ongoing conflict in the country. They sought refuge in Jordan's Za'atari refugee camp in 2013.

While in the refugee camp, Muzoon became a passionate advocate for girls' education. Despite the challenging circumstances, she continued her own education and fought for the rights of other refugee girls to access schooling

Syrian education activist Muzoon Almellehan

Her advocacy gained recognition from various organizations, including UNICEF, which provided her with the opportunity to address world leaders at the United Nations Security Council. Muzoon also had the chance to meet with Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani Nobel laureate and education activist, who inspired her to continue her efforts.

In 2017, Muzoon became the first refugee UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, amplifying her voice and advocacy for refugee children's education on a global scale. Now, Muzoon actively engages in campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness, mobilize support, and provide educational opportunities for refugee children.

Yusra Mardini and the butterflies

In 2015, Yusra Mardini and her sister Sara fled Syria, escaping the civil war, and embarked on a perilous journey seeking refuge. Crossing the Aegean Sea on an overcrowded raft meant for far fewer people, they endured a 25-day trek to Greece. Their determination led them to swim for three hours in open water, carrying fellow refugees to safety on the island of Lesbos.

After finding shelter in Berlin, Yusra underwent training where her hard work paid off, as she qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming a member of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team. In her Olympic debut, Yusra won her 100-meter butterfly heat, making a remarkable achievement and placing 41st overall. Continuing her Olympic journey, she also competed at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, significantly improving her personal best in the 100-meter butterfly by over two seconds.

Yusra Mardini/ AFP

In 2018, Yusra published an autobiography entitled “Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian, My Story of Rescue, Hope and Triumph”. In September 2023, Netflix produced a movie on the inspiring story of the Mardinis named “The Swimmers”.