Jihan was born in exile and raised in Paris, where her father, a Libyan human rights lawyer, was a peaceful opposition leader to Qaddafi’s regime. After her father disappeared in Cairo, her family lived between the United States and France, while her mother, a Syrian artist, fought for justice in an international campaign.
Jihan grew up cradled in her family’s love of art and music, which served as their lifeline. She received her BA in International and Comparative Politics with a concentration in Human Rights, Philosophy, and International Law, and her MA in Art Education and Storytelling. Jihan is committed to discovering how free expression can be a vehicle for empowerment and understanding.