Palestinian Student from Lifta Runs London Half Marathon in Support of University Education for Palestinians
Palestinian student Omnia Hamad completed The Big Half in London, covering the 13.1-mile (21.1-kilometre) course in two hours and 40 minutes. Her participation combined a personal sporting challenge with a wider commitment to supporting education and empowering young Palestinians.
Hamad took part in the race to raise funds and awareness for the Galilee Foundation, an organisation focused on supporting Palestinian youth through university scholarships, as well as personal and professional development opportunities. Its programmes aim to help students continue their education and build their academic and professional futures.
From Tower Bridge to Greenwich
The race began near Tower Bridge in London, taking runners past some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks before finishing at Cutty Sark in Greenwich. The Big Half is one of London’s prominent half-marathon events, giving participants the opportunity to take on a sporting challenge in the heart of the city in front of large crowds.
For Hamad, however, the race carried a meaning that went beyond sporting competition. As a Palestinian student proud of her roots in the depopulated Palestinian village of Lifta in Jerusalem, she has a strong personal connection to the place her family comes from. By taking part in the race, she chose to turn her presence on London’s streets into an opportunity to represent Palestine and express her pride in her identity and heritage.
Lifta Present on the Streets of London
Hamad’s message also extended beyond representing Palestine, as she linked her participation to a practical goal: supporting educational opportunities for Palestinian students. Through the foundation she chose to support, the fundraising campaign aims to contribute to university scholarships and development opportunities that can help young people gain the knowledge and skills needed to build their future careers.
Through its programmes, the Galilee Foundation provides educational and developmental support to Palestinian youth, with a particular focus on university scholarships and personal and professional development opportunities. Such initiatives are especially important for students seeking to continue their university education and develop their potential, amid the need to expand access to education and create sustainable career opportunities.
By completing the race in two hours and 40 minutes, Hamad turned a personal sporting challenge into an opportunity to highlight her Palestinian roots and support access to education. From the starting point near Tower Bridge to the finish line at Cutty Sark, the Palestinian student from Lifta carried her message to the heart of London, demonstrating how sport can also serve as a means of expressing identity and supporting others in building a better future.
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