Palestinian ambassador receives standing ovation at Gaelcholáiste in Carlow
Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, ambassador of the State of Palestine to Ireland, gets a standing ovation from pupils as she arrives at Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach Photos: Michael O'Rourke Photography
THE Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmahjid, visited Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach on 28 April after being invited to speak by a third-year student.
Odhran Ó Saoraí, who is in class 3G, invited the ambassador as part of his classroom-based assessment (CBA), which allows students to showcase their skills through projects or performances.
Dr Abdalmahjid gave a talk about the history of Palestine and the historic and ongoing connections between Ireland and Palestine to the entire student body. She then answered questions that Odhran and his classmates had gathered from students before partaking in refreshments.
“Class 3G organised the event completely and organised the questions,” said Orlagh Ní Fhaoláin, the principal of Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach.
Upon entering the sports hall where she was due to address the student body, Dr Abdalmahjid was given a standing ovation by students and staff.
“It was quite an emotional day to be honest,” Orlagh said, “She was quite overwhelmed by the support that the students showed her.”
Although she could not attend the talk, the principal wanted to extend her thanks to Colm Ó Cuimin, who teaches class 3G and helped the students to plan the event.
“We are so proud of the students who organised this,” Orlagh said. “It’s something that I think we will remember in Gaelcholáiste for a long time to come. Once the students found out that the ambassador was coming to our school, there was a great sense of excitement and people wanted to be involved and wanted to welcome her.”
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