Bayan Khatib
{{Short description|Syrian-Canadian activist and humanitarian}}
Bayan Khatib is a Canada-based former refugee from Syria, who founded the Syrian Canadian Foundation.{{Cite news|date=2021-01-14|title=Syrian refugees celebrate fifth anniversary in Canada with virtual event|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/2021/01/14/syrian-refugees-celebrate-fifth-anniversary-in-canada-with-virtual-event.html|access-date=2021-12-15|issn=0319-0781}} Khatib is known as a spokesperson, activist, and commentator on the Syria war.
Early life
Bayan Khatib was born in Syria shortly before her parents fled to USA as refugees, and was initially raised by her grandparents in Syria.{{Cite news|last=Fellegi|first=Vivien|date=29 November 2017|title=Meet The Woman Helping Syrian Newcomers Deal With The Trauma Of Displacement|work=Chatelaine{{!}}Chatelaine (magazine)|url=https://www.chatelaine.com/living/ms-chatelaine/bayan-khatib/}}{{Cite web|title=Bayan Khatib finds her true calling in helping Syrian refugees|url=https://canadianimmigrant.ca/people/bayan-khatib-finds-her-true-calling-in-helping-syrian-refugees|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Canadian Immigrant|language=en-US}}
In 1986, at the age of seven, Bayan Khatib moved to Denver to rejoin her nuclear family, who she hardly knew. She had a challenging transition initially as her parents were still dealing with the emotional trauma of their experiences in Syria. Later the family moved to Toronto.
Career
In 2011, in the context of the Syria conflict, Khatib worked as a spokesperson for the political opposition in Syria.
In Toronto, she worked as a media relations officer trying to increase public awareness of the Syria war.
In 2015, as Syrian refugees were arriving in Canada, Khatib founded the Syrian Canadian Foundation to provide support services for newcomers to Canada.{{Cite web|last=Appia|first=Veronica|date=2021-03-03|title=To reach diverse groups, Ontario needs more 'culturally competent' COVID-19 data: experts|url=https://www.toronto.com/news-story/10342622-to-reach-diverse-groups-ontario-needs-more-culturally-competent-covid-19-data-experts/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Toronto.com|language=en-CA}}
Khatib also worked as the director of communications for the Al-Qazzaz Foundation.
In 2018, she reacted to the airstrikes on Syria by saying that Syrians felt a mixture of optimism that it would curtail President Assad, and fear of civilian casualties. She pushed the Government of Canada to do more to end the conflict in Syria.{{Cite news|date=15 April 2018|title=Mix of worry, optimism as Syrian Canadians react to U.S.-led airstrikes|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/mike-pence-trump-syria-airstrikes-1.4620505}}
In 2021, she organized deliveries of essential items to newcomers.{{Cite news|last=Keung|first=Nicholas|date=2021-04-28|title=Are linens, kitchenware and furniture essential during a pandemic? Yes, when you’re a newcomer moving into a|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/28/are-linens-kitchenware-and-furniture-essential-during-a-pandemic-yes-when-youre-a-newcomer-moving-into-a-home.html|access-date=2021-12-15|issn=0319-0781}}{{Cite news|date=2021-04-29|title=Today’s coronavirus news: OPP charges golf course that defied COVID restrictions; Provinces to get single-shot|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/29/todays-coronavirus-news-april-29-2021-gta-toronto-canada.html|access-date=2021-12-15|issn=0319-0781}}