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-Kelowna, CHBC News The only Libyan student attending UBC-Okanagan in Kelowna says he finally feels like a free man.
Raised in what he describes as a "society of fear", Seraj El-Majdoub believes the death of Moammar Gadhafi means that all young Libyans can now look forward to a much brighter future.
“I have a very big smile,” El-Majdoub said. “I am very excited about what is happening to my country.”
El-Majdoub left Libya two years ago to attend university in Canada.
He never dreamed the dictator’s days were already numbered.
“Libyans use to say that Gadhafi might be in power for a hundred years,” he said.
He has been in constant communication with family and friends, some of whom have been fighting on the front lines with the revolutionary army.
He says they have all joined in the spontaneous celebrations that have been breaking out around the country.
The new mood of euphoria is very different from the atmosphere El-Majdoub grew up in.
“It was like living in a big prison. Gadhafi closed Libya from the outside world,” he said.
Well educated and the son of a prosperous businessman, El-Majdoub went to an exclusive school in Tripoli.
Many of the other students at the school were children of the political elite: the father of one classmate was the chief of intelligence while another friend was a member of Gadhafi’s tribe.
Although some people would have preferred to see Gadhafi brought to trial, El-Majdoub is glad the dictator is gone.
“I think Libyans feel safer now that he is dead. People don’t need to judge him in court. They know what he has done,” he said.
El-Majdoub says he plans to return home once he completes his education and is looking forward to helping rebuild Libya.
Raised in what he describes as a "society of fear", Seraj El-Majdoub believes the death of Moammar Gadhafi means that all young Libyans can now look forward to a much brighter future.
“I have a very big smile,” El-Majdoub said. “I am very excited about what is happening to my country.”
El-Majdoub left Libya two years ago to attend university in Canada.
He never dreamed the dictator’s days were already numbered.
“Libyans use to say that Gadhafi might be in power for a hundred years,” he said.
He has been in constant communication with family and friends, some of whom have been fighting on the front lines with the revolutionary army.
He says they have all joined in the spontaneous celebrations that have been breaking out around the country.
The new mood of euphoria is very different from the atmosphere El-Majdoub grew up in.
“It was like living in a big prison. Gadhafi closed Libya from the outside world,” he said.
Well educated and the son of a prosperous businessman, El-Majdoub went to an exclusive school in Tripoli.
Many of the other students at the school were children of the political elite: the father of one classmate was the chief of intelligence while another friend was a member of Gadhafi’s tribe.
Although some people would have preferred to see Gadhafi brought to trial, El-Majdoub is glad the dictator is gone.
“I think Libyans feel safer now that he is dead. People don’t need to judge him in court. They know what he has done,” he said.
El-Majdoub says he plans to return home once he completes his education and is looking forward to helping rebuild Libya.
Photo Credit: CHBC News , Dan Couch
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