Co-founding what started as a grass-roots initiative is now evolving into an impactful organization, Faisal Al-Fuhaid is one with his cause. We previously covered Equait in these bazaar pages, we were thrilled to share in this youth-driven organization’s mission—promoting social equality and respect towards Kuwaiti residents from all walks of life.
Sick of the social stigmas attached with cliques, Faisal redirected his negative energy towards changing the sad phenomenon into a hopeful future via Equait. Facing discrimination, even as a Kuwaiti, for being different, he decided to pursue a hands-on approach for promoting change. As a 20-year-old university student at GUST, he’s worked with various organizations and individuals on a myriad of projects associated with Equait. From a monthly cross-cultural diwaniya in association with Global Aid Kuwait, to Model United Nations, the iRespect Football tournament which requires a multi-national team, to anti-bullying campaigns, he pares all of his efforts down to “learning to respect, accept, and more importantly understand, an opinion that is different from yours.”
Equait now works with a diverse network of adults as well as university students. He explains that, “Equait isn’t, and will never be, about my goals for the organization. It is a collective effort at its core, and its survival is ensured by more people standing up for our principles and taking the responsibility to lead with respect.”
Recently hosting the Y-workshop, Equait helped raise the question of why we should be involved in creating or participating in a not-for-profit organization, one that Faisal considers as a “step-zero, yet for something much greater, as it is extremely important to involve the youth in an effort to progress any change in society.” In the long-term, Faisal believes that Equait’s power and sustainability lies with the involvement of others. Don’t hesitate to be a part of this organization, get in touch with Faisal at equait.org.
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Passionate
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Correct
What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked?
“Where did you set up your tent and camel?” (During a family trip to Orlando a few years ago)
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Singing “Somebody that I Used to Know”, with a random person on the street last summer in New York.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Tranquility
Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?
Ultimately, I would like the chance to reside among various different cultures around the world during my lifetime, just so that I can learn about different perspectives and ways of life, while also developing myself as a person.
As for retirement, any place where family’s close by or probably New York City.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
“You come at the King, you best not miss” from The Wire
What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?
Tiger, since they’re daring and passionate.
What do you miss about your childhood?
My Grandfather. He always believed in me, giving me the love and support I needed at a young age, and he is one of the main reasons I am the man I am today.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Fahad, rather than Faisal, just so that the name confusion ends, haha!
How would you describe your handshake in one word?
Firm
What is the toughest part of your character?
I am honest when necessary, even if it means somebody gets upset during the process.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., because his ‘I Had a Dream’ speech is one of the main reasons why I chose to pursue Equait. The values reflected in this speech are universal in every sense of the word.
What in the world do you least desire?
Getting paid handsomely to just sit and do nothing.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place?
I truly believe that if everyone around the world had access to education, the world would progress a lot faster and we’d have a lot more solutions to its problems.
Also, being nice to people because of who they are, as nowadays, too many people judge others over the silliest reasons, yet they don’t get the chance to see how amazing they are as human beings, which also leads to people disliking themselves because of it. If everybody learned to get along with one other, regardless of way of life or nationality, the world would be a whole lot better.
Why do you think most girls/guys like you?
Maybe it’s because I’m generally approachable as a person, but you really have to ask them why.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…”
Being yourself.
Get in touch with Faisal by following Equait on Twitter and Instagram, @Equait. For more information, please visit www.equait.org.
