Dr. Jaballa Hasan kids wonder why he spends many nights glued to the television watching CNN or the Internet news, for they were to young to remember the the agony of living under such an unjust and unethical ruler such as Muammar Gadhafi. Dr. Hasan spoke to a group of students about the passion he has for has for his country, what it took to escape, and his hopes for his country's future.
Gadhafi has reigned over Libya for more than 40 years. For many Libyans the past 40 years have been filled with fear and oppression.
“In 1976 I witnessed 25 students being hung in public at University of Libya just because they wanted to speak their mind,” Hasan said.
For some, it is a shocking and gruesome story, for the people of Libya it is just one of the many ways Gadhafi has conditioned Libyans to live in fear under his ruling.
“ In 1990 I worked as a professor at the University of Ben Gazi where I taught speech and mass media, but I was asked to teach the Gaddafi Green Book”, Hasan said. “ I could not teach this book because it was beyond belief and no one could associate with it.”
In 1975 Gadhafi wrote and published the Green Book, which summarized his political and philosophical views on democracy. Gadhafi wanted the people of Libya to memorize the book and follow its teachings.
Hasan’s family advised him to remain quite about his belief of the way Gadhafi’s ruled if he were to remain in Libya.
Hasan went on to explain after his defiance to teach the infamous Green Book, he soon found his self under surveillance.
Six years later in 1996 officials arrested Hasan and placed him in solitary confinement for five days.
While in confinement Hasan endured psychological torture daily and was forced to live in total darkness.
"Being in solitary confinement I feared for my life, it was very scary,” Said Hasan.
Hasan soon realized the value of life of Libya was limited. On April 7, 1996 Hasan his wife and two young children escaped through a car out of Libya and into Egypt.
While years have passed since Hasan escaped Libya, he continues to try and put the troubling times behind him, still remaining aware of the conditions that have yet to change.
“Sometimes I can not sleep at night, So I stay up late to watch the news translated in English and Arabic," Hasan Said.
Hasan is also active in Houston. Two weeks ago, Hasan along with over 200 other Libyans, took to the streets of the Galleria area protesting for the right of freedom in their homeland.
As it stands, communication in Libya is limited. Many days Hasan can not get in contact with his family.
He continuous to rely on other sources to ensure their safety while remaining in Libya.Hasan remains optimistic about the future of Libya and where their government is headed.
He has high hopes that the other Arabian countries will ban together and bring pressure to Gadhafi that will lead to him resigning.
He believes that one day the people of Libya will be able to experience the democratic freedom they desire.
