InSpite of Violation Prof. Shqueir Looks Ahead

As he was winding down after a long work day teaching and preparing for final exams, Prof. Adnan Shqueir’s quiet evening was violently interrupted by the Israeli soldiers. 

“I had just finished my dinner with my wife and daughters, when I heard loud pounding at my door,” said Prof. Adnan Shqueir, a faculty member and Chairperson of the Department of Life Sciences at Bethlehem University. “At gun point, we were rounded up in a small room for 3 hours, while at least 8 soldiers were freely tampering with and vandalizing our home. I am not worried about the physical damage they left behind. I am more concerned with the psychological and emotional damage.  Had they told us what they were looking for, and what is it that they wanted. things could have been easier…different. But all they communicated to us was foul language and orders to move, sit down, shut up and so on” added Prof. Shqueir.  “I feel that our basic rights and privacy were violated. I know I am not the first to face such brutality but I sure hope I am the last”.

This week Prof. Shqueir will be traveling to Egypt to participate in an international conference titled: “Environmental Protection is a Must” in which he will present a paper on biogas production. “The soldiers invading my home have interrupted my peace of mind, but I will do my best for them not to interrupt my commitment to my students and research.  I am not giving up. With the help of many around me I am  picking up the pieces and looking ahead”.

Prof. Shqueir has been a faculty member with Bethlehem University since 1981.