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Asfur Basel is a student from Gaza, trying to raise funds to fulfil his dream of studying Computer Science at Glasgow University.
Asfur Basel, aged 20 years old, is quickly building a strong online presence on social media, recording his journey until he gets from Gaza to Glasgow. He has been accepted to the University of Glasgow, with an unconditional offer, to study his dream major, computer science. Having all his documents in order, the only thing standing in his way is the funding.
A testament to his hard work and resilience, he got a 89.6% in his high school diploma in the scientific stream in the midst of the genocide in 2023. After winning a photography competition in high school, he completed a professional photography course. He has also obtained first aid certification and nursing skills training. Additionally, he has volunteered with the Ministry of Health in Palestine for a Polio Vaccination Campaign, and is currently a photographer and video editor for Al-Taj Sharia School Gaza.
Despite the harsh conditions he has lived through, his daily vlogs are life-affirming as well as filled with hope and humour. Basel documents going to the gym, cafes, as well as studying and watching football matches on TV with friends. Besides his academic goals, he enjoys photography and editing, staying active through sports like swimming and working out.
At the same time he carries out strong citizen journalism, documenting daily life in Gaza. For instance, he makes videos about what it’s like to live in tents, and videos such as “no electricity here in Gaza, so how do we charge our phones?”. Basel also records the humanitarian work he does, such as his volunteering at a free food center in Gaza with the organisation Masjid-e tajushsharlah. Additionally, he is open about his struggles including mental health and dealing with OCD.
Moreover, he takes followers to different places in Gaza, such as the north of Gaza to run errands. “Small earrings, long roads and a lot on our minds,” he says, showing the buildings as big piles. He explains how the place is chaotic, “yet full of life”. In another video he takes us to Al-Zawaydah, in central Gaza, as he goes to pick up a humanitarian package in the Al-Zawaydah camp. As he arrived he commented “the area was full of life and homes, the views genuinely improved my mood”, humorously comparing it to being in Paris.
He also documents his outings to the beach. “The beach is where the people in Gaza go to breathe and escape reality for a moment,” Basel says in one video. “I can see Glasgow in every sunset.”
In one video where narrates a poem he wrote titled “can we dream? or is even that not allowed?” he shares images of his childhood, and videos of growing up in Palestine, contrasted with Israel's bombing and destruction of Palestine. One clip of the video is the bombing of his home; now a pile of rubble because of the Israeli army. In the full length video, you hear them talk in the background, exclaiming ‘wow’.
“can we dream? or is even that not allowed?
in a world where human rights seem forbidden.
Peace, education, love and dreams.
When I was young I was taught that these were our basic rights.
That every human being deserves them.
But no one told me that some of us might not be included.
So… Are we human?
Living in the same universe?
I don’t know. Maybe.
But the only thing I know for sure is that dreaming is still allowed.”
His favourite thing about the University of Glasgow is, “the food, the people, the culture, the accent, everything, everything really". He is also very excited about the quality of the education, as the University is ranked amongst the top 100 universities in the world, which “makes it an excellent choice”. Despite his favourite team being Real Madrid, Basel is fully embracing Celtic FC now that he is planning to go to Scotland. If you are one of his followers, you will know that he is on the search to buy a Celtic shirt in Palestine.
If he makes it to Glasgow, the first thing he wishes to do is, “Maybe just stop to realise that I have made that from the war zone, from the chaos, from the loss, to my dream university, to the life that I’ve ever dreamed of.”
“Maybe I’ll tear up a little, then I’m right straight to get some fried food.” Fully embracing Scottish slang, he adds how it would be “pure dead brilliant”.
Basel is a huge One Direction fan, his favourite songs recently being "Up all night” and “Kiss You”. He’s also been listening to “The Skye Boat Song” by The Corries, and “If You Believe” by Patch Crowe and Strive to Be, both of which remind him of Scotland. A song very close to his heart right now is “I Wish I Was in Glasgow” by Billy Connolly with one of his favourite lines being, “Oh, but Glasgow gave me more / Than it ever took away / And prepared me for life on the road.”
Referring to funding, Basel says, “There remains one final obstacle standing between me and achieving a dream I have long awaited and been deprived of. This opportunity would completely change my life and grant me a right that I was denied in my own country. Ultimately, my goal is to become an active and impactful person who can help others and those who are oppressed like me around the world. It deeply saddens me to see myself unable to achieve what I aspire to accomplish in my homeland.” Currently, he has raised $5,870 out of $40,500 having until September to raise all the funds. He hopes for and believes in miracles.
You can support Basel's journey here: