Last spring, FCNL’s Legislative Director for Middle East Policy, Hassan El-Tayyab visited Ramallah Friends School (RFS) as he traveled through Israel and occupied Palestinian territory. The Ramallah Friends School has a long history having served not only as a school but also as a center for refugees, a hospital, and a community center. Guided by Quaker values, RFS strives to offer a balanced and engaged educational institution in the Palestinian community.
At this December Quaker Changemaker Event, FCNL’s Bobby Trice will moderate a conversation between FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab and RFS Head of School Rania Maayeh.
Speakers
Hassan El-Tayyab is FCNL’s legislative director for Middle East policy.
His passion for foreign affairs is rooted in his desire to make life better for people in the Middle East, including his extended family in Jordan. He is convinced that advancing a more peaceful and diplomacy-based foreign policy in the Middle East is critical, not only for the family he loves, but for peace and stability worldwide.
Prior to joining FCNL in August 2019, he was co-director of the national advocacy group Just Foreign Policy, where he led their lobbying work to advance a more progressive foreign policy in the Middle East and Latin America. He played a major role in the successful passage of the War Powers Resolution to end U.S. military participation in the Saudi-led coalition’s war and blockade on Yemen.
His writings and commentaries have been featured in numerous news outlets, including CNN, BBC World News, Politico, The Hill, Al Jazeera, The Huffington Post, The Intercept and more.
Rania Maayeh joined the Ramallah Friends School team as Head of School in July 2021.
She is a long standing RFS community member having been a parent of three alums, a teacher and a former student. Rania brings with her broad experience in Palestinian education and management that spans three decades.
Moderator
Bobby is the Quaker Engagement Program Manager.
In this role, he cultivates relationships with Friends and coordinates FCNL staff and volunteer engagement with Quaker communities across the country. Bobby also visits Friends himself to offer messages and workshops on Quaker lobbying. He is passionate about deepening and supporting Quakers’ spirit-led advocacy on Capitol Hill and around the nation, communicating across political divides, practicing seeing that of God in people he disagrees with, and building relationships to make change within and beyond Congress.
Bobby is a member of Friends Meeting of Washington (Baltimore Yearly Meeting) and serves as an at-large member of the Beacon Hill Friends House Board of Managers.
Bobby holds a B.A. in social work and sociology/anthropology from Warren Wilson College. Most recently, he held staff positions with FCNL as Quaker Outreach Coordinator and Quaker Engagement Associate and FCNL young adult program positions as Program Assistant for Quaker Outreach and Advocacy Corps Organizer. Bobby comes to FCNL from Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting. He is originally from Nevada City, California.
