Changing lives through language: A young Syrian’s impact

It’s 2012, and nine-year-old Mohmd Alsomay is living in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, Syria, in the midst of a nation gripped by turmoil. 

Born in 2003 in Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian revolution, Mohmd’s childhood is being shaped by the rising tide of unrest.

Every Friday afternoon, after Jumah prayer, Mohmd and his younger brother join their father and uncles in freedom protests, their voices adding to the fervour continuing to ignite the Syrian revolution – a revolution which was a precursor to the war….

Fast forward to early 2025 in Sydney, and at still just 22 years of age, Mohmd  is an impressive, intelligent and courteous young  Muslim with a tertiary education – and a boundless enthusiasm for helping others. 

As a new Muslim whose ability to speak Arabic is limited to the five daily prayers, I was intrigued when recently I came across Mohmd offering free Arabic learning plans on social media. 

Touching base with the well-spoken, young Syrian Australian, I discovered a highly engaging, upbeat individual who believes in giving back for the blessings he has received during his still-young life. 

For Mohmd, providing free assistance to non-Arabic speaking Muslims is an exercise filled with positivity, as his students invariably use their newfound knowledge to deepen their understanding of the Qur’an and Islam.

Reflecting on his early childhood in Syria, Mohmd told me, “those protests we would attend every week in Daraa were about demanding freedom….but of course, the revolution sadly escalated into war.”

The impact of the war was devastating, disrupting almost every aspect of daily life.

In late 2012, Mohmd’s  parents decided to seek refuge for the family in Egypt, confident that the conflict would be over within six months. 

“We travelled to Egypt in early 2013, but the war in Syria showed no signs of stopping,” Mohmd recalled. 

In Egypt but without residency, Mohmd and his siblings were denied access to a formal education, so he turned to self-learning, gradually building up quite a formidable library.

“With little or no formal schooling, I resorted to reading books at home, mostly about politics, religion and philosophy; I wasn’t interested in fiction as I wanted to understand life.”

In 2018, Mohmd and his family were given a new opportunity when they migrated from Egypt to Australia under the sponsorship of his father’s brother, Niaz Alsomai. 

“We are constantly grateful to Allah and to my uncle Niaz for the chance to live in a country like Australia, which offers equality, freedom and hope,” Mohmd said. 

The family found solace in the opportunities provided in their new home. 

“Unlike Egypt and Syria, where success so often depended on wealth and connections, Australia provides opportunities to those willing to work hard.”

For Mohmd, adjusting to life in Australia came with its challenges, particularly language barriers.

 “When we arrived in Sydney, I couldn’t speak a word of English –  I could barely even introduce myself.”

Determined to overcome this obstacle, Mohmd enrolled at the Evans Intensive English Centre at Blacktown in western Sydney, dedicating himself to learning English over three terms. 

Transitioning to St Marys Senior High School after just a year, he became the school vice captain and the leader of the Muslim Student Association. 

“I was passionate about running Islamic events for my peers, dedicating more time to the MSA than to my studies,” he admitted.

“It was a wonderful experience, running a small Muslim community within the school.”

After high school, Mohmd pursued a Bachelor of Psychology but soon realised this wasn’t his calling. 

“My parents always emphasised the importance of education, so rather than leaving Uni, I switched to a Bachelor of Islamic Studies.”

“While studying, I was unsure about my future, but a friend suggested that I teach Arabic, where I could combine my passions for language, the Qur’an and Islam.” 

This suggestion resonated with Mohmd, who had already gained considerable experience giving free Arabic lessons at the English learning centre and even being awarded a special certificate of achievement for doing so.

“I recognised even back then that there was a significant demand for learning Arabic to understand the Qur’an,” he said.

Mohmd’s passion led him to start offering free personalised Arabic plans online. 

“Other than word of mouth, this is the only form of ‘advertising’ I do and it doesn’t cost a cent.”

“Those who respond to me are what a friend in the marketing game calls “highly qualified leads” in that these people genuinely want to learn Arabic to understand their faith better,” he explained.

Mohmd has recently expanded his outreach by creating social media accounts on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, focusing on helping Muslims across Australia.

Balancing a full-time job, his studies and teaching commitments is challenging but Mohmd remains dedicated to his mission. 

“Life in Australia has given me so much already, and I feel a responsibility to give back,” he says.

“And knowing that those who benefit from my lessons will use their knowledge to understand the Qur’an better is deeply satisfying for me.”

Mohmd Alsomay’s story is one of resilience, gratitude and selfless contribution. 

He is a young man who, despite a tumultuous past in his homeland, has embraced the opportunities presented to him in Australia and is now focused on uplifting others. 

In a world where time is often equated with monetary gain, Mohmd stands out as someone who finds fulfillment in helping others without expecting anything in return.

His commitment to making Arabic accessible to fellow Muslims in Australia is not only admirable but also reflects his strong belief in the positive impact of knowledge.

“I believe that when we help others, we are also enriching ourselves,” Mohmd concluded with his trademark smile.

Through his enthusiasm, dedication and generosity, Mohmd Alsomay is proving that the spirit of giving knows no boundaries. 

His story serves as an inspiration for Muslims everywhere, reminding us all of the profound impact of showing gratitude and of sharing knowledge and compassion.