Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Student Participates in Clinton’s Presidential Campaign | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Saudi political sciences student Naif al-Khathran


Washington- If Hillary Clinton, the democratic U.S. presidential candidate, will be the first lady to enter the history with this accomplishment, the history won’t forget Saudi student Nayef al-Khathran too for being the first Saudi citizen to contribute in the democratic candidate’s electoral campaign and help her win the seat in the White House.

It is not easy to approve the applications submitted by those seeking to work for Clinton’s presidential campaign, yet what distinguished al-Khathran’s application form was the integrated action plan he submitted for the campaign.

Al-Khathran’s plan included many suggestions and information that will make a difference in winning many votes and pushing Clinton forward.

Five objectives and suggestions were submitted by al-Khathran, mainly the focus on minorities in Miami and containment of Muslim votes, which was accomplished in the state and is to be applied in Florida too.

“In the past five months, I achieved in my academic and professional life what was unexpected,” al-Khathran told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Since the approval of my application, which took them two months to finish up the procedures of me joining the staff as a major volunteer in Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, I have been gaining more experience in the political field,” he said.

He added that what made him even prouder was being the only Saudi citizen working in the site.

Getting close to U.S. politicians, knowing how the democratic system functions, wanting to learn the process through which Americans choose their president and why this election was getting considerable global attention were al-Khathran’s primary goals to attain.

By majoring political sciences in Florida, al-Khathran was able to practice what he aspired in Hillary Clinton’s campaign in Miami; he had the chance to supervise other volunteers, including students and workers in different work fields.

For al-khathran, 23, being part of Clinton’s presidential campaign is a key point in his career.

He wanted to gain experience and to take advantage of this massive political drive, especially that the U.S. presidential election is held every four years and he was lucky to be in the United States at “the right time, the right moment.”

He said, “I am focusing more on gaining new experience while simultaneously learning organizational skills, time management and professional work, since this campaign is being run by qualified people. So far, my boss is satisfied and amazed by the work I am doing and everyone is cool with me.”

He also said that he has a social responsibility where he wants to raise awareness and educate his society about issues related to politics in order to increase political awareness and its impact on Saudis.