Interview with Ali Nasrallah, the Student Who Turned His University into a Field of Resistance
Ali Nasrallah, a Pakistani-origin graduate from the University of Leeds in the UK, had a unique experience during his graduation ceremony — one that transformed a formal academic moment into a political statement. By raising the flag of Palestine as he received his diploma, he sent a clear message of solidarity and resistance with the people of Gaza and the West Bank.
Nasrallah, who studied Asian Studies and graduated in July 2025, says he had decided from the very beginning — when he entered the university in 2022 — that he would raise the flag of Palestine on that day.
“How can one celebrate graduation when there are no universities left standing in Gaza and mass killings are happening live before our eyes? It was the least moral duty I could fulfill,” he said.
According to him, the reaction from both students and professors was overwhelmingly positive. One professor even wore and waved a keffiyeh during the ceremony in solidarity. Some students later told him,
“We wish we had your courage to do the same.”
Still, Nasrallah acknowledges that such an act could affect his future career prospects, possibly limiting job opportunities. Yet, he views this as part of his duty of resistance.
He emphasized the crucial role of universities in justice movements:
“Today, the student protests and solidarity encampments across the US and Europe show that the axis of resistance isn’t limited to Iran, Yemen, or Lebanon; every Western university that stands against colonialism and Zionism is part of that front.”
Nasrallah also pointed to the shift in public atmosphere after October 7. Before that, collaboration between Islamic societies and Zionist groups under the banner of “interfaith dialogue” was common on campuses.
“After the genocide in Gaza began, such collaborations became unimaginable,” he said.
He believes that the wave of global solidarity that followed included Jewish anti-Zionist students and rabbis who played a significant role.
When asked about Iran, Nasrallah noted a change in how many people in the UK view the country after October 7:
“People realized that while Arab regimes either stayed silent or cooperated with Israel, Iran was the only state that truly stood by the Palestinian resistance. Today, in London’s streets, you can even see pictures of Iranian leaders in demonstrations.”
He concluded by emphasizing that the world is moving toward multipolarity, while Western colonial powers are in decline:
“Empires become more violent when they are collapsing, but the global movement toward a multipolar world is unstoppable.”
