Sandy Albahri

„One cannot eliminate racism and discrimination, but especially when dealing with the next generation information and education can make all the difference“, says Sandy Albahri. That is what this young woman from Syria is focussing on. It has only been five years since Sandy Albahri left Damaskus and came to Berlin. Since 2015 she has been involved in several projects in Berlin: committed to diversity and communication, fighting prejudices, discrimination and antisemitism.

It was an integration course that she attended in Berlin-Marienfelde, where she was first accommodated together with her parents and siblings, that became the real turning point for Sandy Albahri. Back in Damaskus she worked in Marketing. It was only in Berlin that she first came in contact with social work. Sandy Albahri was instantly intrigued and tetermined to become more involved in the topic. In 2016 she started working as a guide for Arabic speaking refugees at a project called „Multaka: Museum as meeting point“ which is affiliated to Deutsches Historisches Museum. That is how she came in contact with an initiative called „Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus“ (KIgA e.V.; Kreuzberg Initiative against Anti-Semitism).

She works as an interpreter and workshop instructor on two different projects. In the scope of a project called „Eliminating Prejudices/Valuing Diversity“ which as been closed meanwhile, Sandy facilitated a dialogue held at welcoming classes and shelters with young refugees on the topic of National Socialism, Antisemitism, Holocaust or the Middle East conflict. The project called „Discover Diversity – Between the Present and the Past“ focuses on living together in Berlin. The goal is to eliminate prejudices amongst young refugees, Anti-Semitism and other aspects of discrimination. Contemporary witnesses are involved in the dialogue as well. „So far the response of all teenagers involved has been spectacular“, Sandy Albahri concludes. They show great interest in the topic and ask many questions, such as „How do Jews live today, how do they pray, etc.“

„Everyone can make a difference in our society“ that is Sandy Albahri’s honest belief. Her long-term goal is to start her own organization or initiative that is committed to the elimination of discrimination, racism and antisemitism.