Addressing members of the Class of 2021 as part of Northwestern Qatar’s traditional send-off, Professor Ibrahim N. Abusharif told the class that at a time when misinformation is rampant, “asking questions” and “disagreeing” are the most important devices and “most important technology any storyteller will have.”
Each year, members of the senior class at Northwestern Qatar select a professor to deliver a Last Lecture offering advice and guidance to the class.
In his lecture, Abusharif also discussed increased incidents of discrimination and racism – advising the students that they could best address discriminatory policies and acts of racism by approaching these narratives with questions and challenging them through counter-narratives that prioritize the human story.
“There's nothing that happens in the real world without it being preceded by a narrative that convinces people to otherize other people and to diminish their humanity,” noted Abusharif. “I’m asking you to disagree, even from your soon-to-be former professors, and to avoid falling into a single outlook.”
Each year, members of the senior class at Northwestern Qatar select a professor to deliver a Last Lecture offering advice and guidance to the class.
In his lecture, Abusharif also discussed increased incidents of discrimination and racism – advising the students that they could best address discriminatory policies and acts of racism by approaching these narratives with questions and challenging them through counter-narratives that prioritize the human story.
“There's nothing that happens in the real world without it being preceded by a narrative that convinces people to otherize other people and to diminish their humanity,” noted Abusharif. “I’m asking you to disagree, even from your soon-to-be former professors, and to avoid falling into a single outlook.”
“There's nothing that happens in the real world without it being preceded by a narrative that convinces people to otherize other people and to diminish their humanity,” noted Abusharif. “I’m asking you to disagree, even from your soon-to-be former professors, and to avoid falling into a single outlook.”
He went on to say that when students leave Northwestern and when opportunities arise, they should seek to confront toxic narratives with better and more inclusive narratives. It is their obligation as journalists and storytellers to use their skills to change the narrative.
Abusharif is an associate professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication Program. His academic interests include the study of the intersections of religion and media, particularly digital media disruptions and religious authority and has researched narrative non-fiction in the Arab world. He received his master's from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and his doctorate in religious and Islamic studies from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
He went on to say that when students leave Northwestern and when opportunities arise, they should seek to confront toxic narratives with better and more inclusive narratives. It is their obligation as journalists and storytellers to use their skills to change the narrative.
Abusharif is an associate professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication Program. His academic interests include the study of the intersections of religion and media, particularly digital media disruptions and religious authority and has researched narrative non-fiction in the Arab world. He received his master's from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and his doctorate in religious and Islamic studies from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
