The Tribune
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27 2026 | VOL. 45 | ISSUE 16
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The ‘New at McGill’ exhibit showcases over 400 years of history PG. 10
Published by the SPT, a student society of McGill University
OFF THE BOARD
Pics or it didn’t happen PG. 11
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FEATURE
To my companions and my community PGS. 8-9
SPORTS
Azeez Al-Shaair is in his second season as the Texans’ captain and defensive play caller. (Alexa Roemer / The Tribune)
Sports are political: Standing up for Azeez Al-Shaair The Houston Texans linebacker has been in the news for speaking out in support of Palestine PG. 16
STUDENT LIFE McGill’s silence on Iran Student of the week: Nada unmasks its global negligence Lulu Calame fessor Paul Kry, she was accepted to the ComEDITORIAL
The Tribune Editorial Board
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or an institution that prides itself on global engagement, McGill’s response to the crisis in Iran isn’t just inadequate—it’s indefensible. On Jan. 13, Dean of Students Tony Mittermaier sent an email to all students who hold an Iranian passport on McGill’s records. The message acknowledged the “civil unrest and disruptions to communications in Iran” and directed students to the Wellness Hub and GuardMe for mental health support. For academic accommodations, Mittermaier advised students to speak directly with their instructors. What the email did not provide was a clear, centralized protocol, or any standardized guidance to ensure that students receive consistent accom-
modations across courses. McGill regularly positions itself as a “globally engaged” institution. Still, as the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on protesters intensifies amid a nationwide internet blackout and mass arrests, the university has failed to offer comprehensive support systems for students and faculty during this time of crisis. The email’s recommendation that students speak directly with their instructors is not a neutral signal of support. It forces students to disclose personal distress as they navigate fear and uncertainty, unable to contact loved ones back home. This perfunctory response creates unequal access by design, as the accommodation outcome is likely to vary significantly depending on the instructor and the student’s comfort with PG. 5 disclosure.
Contributor
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fter completing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology (IT) from the Islamic University in Gaza, Nada stayed on to begin an IT Master’s program in September 2023. By Oct. 11, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had razed her university to the ground. “I felt like, ‘Okay, [...] I can’t go back. I cannot go back there now,’” Nada said in an interview with The Tribune. In May 2024, Nada evacuated the Gaza Strip to Cairo, Egypt, with her family. From there, she applied to McGill. With funding and application support from the Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk (PSSAR) network and McGill Computer Science Associate Pro-
puter Science Master’s Program in July 2024. “[McGill] was my first choice because it’s one of the top universities in Canada, and I’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” Nada told The Tribune. “So I felt like, ‘I’m going to be welcome there.’” She submitted her student visa application in December 2024, and today, more than a year later, Nada remains stuck in Cairo, working as a remote lecturer for students in Gaza. She is currently waiting for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to approve her visa in time for the Fall 2026 semester. Without the visa, her McGill admission will be revoked. Nada is one of 130 Palestinian students accepted into Canadian universities but barred from travel to begin their studies. PG. 12