Fugees Coach Luma Mufleh of ‘Outcasts United’ to Visit Oklahoma City University
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma
City University freshmen will meet the subject of their first assignment when
Luma Mufleh, who is featured in the national best-seller “Outcasts United,”
visits campus Aug. 18.
Incoming
freshmen read the Warren St. John book this summer as part of the OCUReads
program, which unites students by giving them a common book to read and engages
them on campus through discussions and events related to the material.
Mufleh
is the founder of an inspirational soccer team called the Fugees – short for
refugees – comprised of players from 18 war-torn countries including Afghanistan,
Iraq, Bosnia, Congo, Somalia and Sudan. An immigrant from Jordan, Mufleh formed
the team after noticing a group of boys playing soccer in the street. Without
some of the most basic equipment, the boys played for the enjoyment of the game
and it reminded Mufleh of her home.
She
organized tryouts for a team and quickly realized the challenges of her team
were going to be unique as the players were dealing with post-traumatic stress
issues, language barriers, cultural disconnects and devastating poverty. Mufleh
weaved together a community on and off the field, helping the players develop
support networks for themselves and their families. She also helped found the Fugees Family, which
helps child survivors of war realize their full potential and assists refugees
with transitioning to life in the U.S.
Mufleh
will speak at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the Petree Recital Hall inside OCU’s
Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center, located at N.W. 25th St. and
Blackwelder Ave. The presentation is free to the public.
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