Ali Ahmida serves as guest on ‘New Mainers Speak’ radio program
Ali Ahmida, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science, was the featured guest on the November 9, 2014 episode of the WMPG radio program "New Mainers Speak," a program dedicated to learning about Maine residents of interest who hail from other countries.
Ahmida discussed his childhood in Libya, which was filled with activities such as boy-scouting, playing trumpet in his school’s marching band, participating in sports, and utilizing a surprisingly high number of quality public libraries. He stated that he considers himself very lucky to have grown up during a period in Libya while under a constitutional monarchy, which provided many opportunities for educational growth and fulfillment.
He also addressed the effect that Libya’s prior colonization by Italy had on his family members and other Libyans of previous generations, and he discussed how this time period in Libyan history, as well as the era of the Quddafi regime has inspired his current research.
In the interview, Ahmida discusses the danger of what he calls "mutual ignorance" and advocates for empathy so that people can see the humanity in everyone, including their enemies.
Having lived in the United States longer than he lived in Libya, Ahmida was asked about his biculturalism. "I find it very it very intriguing that I am bicultural," he responded. "I try to find the commonalities and how the two cultures complement each other."