McGill roommates — one Jewish, the other Palestinian — find friendship and common ground
When Lucas Fuhrman got to his dorm at McGill in 2021, he was nervous and excited about whom he would share a room with.
A few days later, Sameer Karam, a Palestinian from Jerusalem, walked in the door.
Fuhrman, who is Jewish, didn't think there would be any problems, but he wasn't sure how Karam would respond.
"We were both actually kind of interested, like to see how it would work and what's going to happen," said Karam.
They not only shared a room together but had a class together, too. However, their bond was formed through playing video games and other common interests.
It was during those times they talked a lot. Fuhrman, a political science student, was interested in what was happening in the Middle East. He says his conversations with Karam were eye-opening.
"Even in our first year, there were flare-ups happening and stuff and, you know, Sameer would tell me what was going on and how it's bothering him, because he has family in the West Bank," he said.
Karam said they didn't agree on everything but they found a way to talk about it respectfully.
It's a lesson that's happening on other university campuses, albeit in a smaller and quieter way.
York University Sociology Professor Randal Schnoor teaches a class on "Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Canada".
He said the course attracted both Jewish and Muslim students and offered them a place to share their experiences.
"The climate on campuses is very polarized, there's lots of divisiveness, lots of chanting and slogans. Not a lot of listening," he said. "And this was a space for those who are interested, and there is an appetite for this among students to create a safe space, a brave space for discussion."
He said the class was so successful that some Jewish and Muslim students created a club called "Bridging the Gap." The group has since held talks on other campuses, including Queen's and University of Toronto.
Fuhrman, meanwhile, has been inspired by his experience living with Karam and says he wants to create a media platform for students to contribute their differing points of view. Karam, an engineering student, is also pleasantly surprised by his experience.
The two also ended up roommates in second year, this time by choice.
"You always have to give it a shot," Karam said. "See where it takes you and as you can see, we ended up being good friends".
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mackenzie Hughes 'gutted' after falling short at RBC Canadian Open
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Motorcycle doing wheelies, weaving in, out of traffic caught on Highway 417
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.
Oilers advance to Stanley Cup final by beating Stars in Game 6
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
'Rotten rock': Climate change altering the face of Canadian mountaineering
The Abbot Pass hut stood for decades in a rugged saddle between two iconic peaks, overlooking the limpid turquoise of Banff National Park's Lake Louise — a destination for alpinists from around the world until the ground melted beneath it and forced its closure.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
'The legacy I want to leave:' Mother with Stage 4 cancer advocates for survivors
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
Driver missing after vehicle plunges into the Riviere-des-Prairies between Montreal and Laval
Emergency response crews are on the scene Sunday morning after a vehicle plunged into the Riviere des Prairies in Montreal.