Born in the 21st century, Khaled carries the meaning of his name, ‘immortal’—not in body, but in vision; he dreams for those who were once told not to.

Mozambique, where he comes from, is a land of fused cultures, shaped by the legacies of Portuguese colonialism, Arab trade routes, and local traditions. His most favorite things are the breathtaking coastal views, the warm hospitality of its people, and the flavorful food that reflects the diverse heritage of his country.

Khaled grew up in an environment where his parents, deeply aware of systemic barriers, instilled in him the belief that knowledge could dismantle the walls designed to confine generations. But Khaled’s courage ran deeper: he wasn’t just striving to climb over those barriers; he was determined to tear them down.

Khaled’s academic life was never about being the best student in the room, nor the worst. He always believes that people’s talents are defined by more than just exam papers. His bravery, audacity, and intellectual curiosity became his greatest tools that opened doors to new perspectives and deeper understandings. It wasn’t just about memorizing facts; it was about questioning what lay beneath the surface and engaging with ideas that others might shy away from.

As a child, Khaled dreamed of becoming a pilot, a common childhood wish. But for him, it wasn’t just about flying planes but about connecting people and places. That’s how his love for international relations began.

On March 18, 2022, at the age of 19, Khaled had to make one of the hardest decisions a young man could face. He describes that moment as ‘the turning point of his life’— The airplane door closed with a final thud. The engines roared to life beneath him, carrying him away from everything he had ever known, toward a future he could barely imagine. As the plane climbed over Maputo's coastline, Khaled watched his childhood shrink beneath the clouds. The weight of his decision settled on his chest. He hadn’t expected the goodbyes to hurt this much. For the first time, he felt the weight of his choice. The challenge of walking a path completely different from what he was used to, new culture, language, and people, miles away from his family and comfort, with nothing but the desire to thrive.

Pressing start on his journey to becoming a global citizen, Northern Cyprus ground was his first parade to further his education in English after self-learning Spanish and being a native speaker of Portuguese. Khaled understands that languages aren’t just words but master keys to human connection.

Today in Istanbul, Khaled stands at the final stage of his studies in political science and international relations. In this transcontinental city, surrounded by clashing perspectives from different backgrounds, some might see him as too intense or too outspoken—“another loud voice in an already noisy world.” But those who pause to understand soon discover a crucial distinction: his voice is not the sound of someone speaking ‘over’ others but of someone determined to speak for realities too long suppressed, not to dominate but to amplify what systems erase. While debate arises, Khaled hates to lose “battles.” He learns the hard way that not every fight needs to be won. Yet this same man who dismantles flawed arguments with surgical precision will later be sitting with friends in Turkish cafés, sharing jokes, random thoughts, or just enjoying a quiet moment, holding space for both conviction and joy.

On Turkish soil, one of the most powerful lessons has been witnessing the deep patriotism of its people, a genuine pride in their heritage that transcends differences. This sense of collective belonging has shaped his understanding of how cultural identity can guide societies through transformation, reinforcing his belief that effective global engagement starts with deep respect for local identities and the values that connect people to their roots.

Ahead lies uncertainty, but he had never needed guarantees to move forward.

Joining MEER represents to him the chance to finally bring his vision to life, a platform to transform quiet reflections into catalysts for dialogue, narrative change, and deeper public discourse.

His mission is clear: to advocate for social justice and human rights and to inspire the belief that together, ‘Yes, We Can.’ He is determined to use every resource available to ensure his present, future, and the future of the next generation are ones of empowerment, where they are not limited by the past but free to write their own stories.

Anchored in the divine promise, “Verily, with hardship comes ease” [Quran 94:6], Khaled meets each challenge like his ancestors faced the Indian Ocean, knowing calm follows storm.