Young Jordanian diplomat out to overturn stereotypes of Arabs in US

AMMAN — As a Jordanian in the United States, Jeffrey Sayegh found himself on a mission to refute stereotypes of Arabs by promoting dialogue and debate among his colleagues and community.  

Sayegh told The Jordan Times in a recent interview that his passion for politics encouraged him, at the age of 14, to initiate a Model United Nations club at school, aiming to promote dialogue among his colleagues and help them expand their knowledge of what is happening around them in the world.

"I felt that sports was emphasised in my school much more than global politics," he said, adding that the club engaged over 100 active participants from several backgrounds in researching and discussing several pressing global issues. 

Sayegh is also keen on spreading awareness among his family and friends on the various perspectives on international issues, urging them not to blindly believe the narratives of media outlets.  

"I look and I see the influence of the American media, and I say that the story is not being portrayed [fairly]… people do not understand what is happening in the region and in Jordan," the 22-year-old said, noting that he encourages those around him not to accept only one side of the story.

Sayegh said some Americans have developed negative views of Arabs, especially after the 9/11 attacks, which led some of his classmates to call him and other Arab students "bad names". 

"We [Arab students] responded calmly and peacefully and just absorbed it… yet we felt a need to reach out and educate the world of what the region is about and what our culture is about," he said.

"You cannot take one bad apple and declare the whole batch bad."

Over the past six years, Sayegh, who is now a senior university student majoring in political science and history with a focus on pre-law, has been interning for Jordan's permanent mission to the UN.

"At first it was hard understanding a new level of terminology and the thinking process, but when I was there my eyes opened to the values of the real world," he said. 

Working closely with diplomats has encouraged Sayegh to try hard to understand global issues and become "a good overall citizen".

"We wanted to change Jordan in a way where we move along with the West but still maintain our cultural and historical identity." 

Sayegh seeks to obtain a master's in political science and a law degree in order to reach a position where he can truly be heard when clarifying issues related to Jordan and the Middle East.

He encouraged young people to get involved in internships that engage them in a "continuous learning processes", urging them not to surrender in the face of obstacles.  

"Never stop trying, because the day you stop trying is the day you will give up."