Ibtihal Aboussad roared loud enough, and Microsoft was left with no choice last Friday but to listen—just like a lioness.

The Moroccan software engineer and Harvard graduate, Al Saad, recently made international headlines for her protest against Microsoft’s alleged involvement in supplying AI technology to the Israeli military during the Gaza conflict.

During Microsoft’s 50th-anniversary celebration, she interrupted a speech by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman.

“You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military,” Aboussad shouted at Microsoft’s AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. “Over fifty thousand people have died, and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region.”

Suleyman, who is also of Arab descent, calmly tried to de-escalate the situation. “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” he said.

Aboussad continued, shouting that Suleyman and “all of Microsoft” had blood on their hands. “You’re all war profiteers!”

She then threw a keffiyeh scarf—an iconic symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people—onto the stage before being escorted out of the event, according to Al Manar TV.

The protest began as Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was presenting product updates and the long-term vision for the company’s AI assistant, Copilot, to an audience that included Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer.

The incident has since sparked discussions about corporate ethics, free speech, and the military use of artificial intelligence.

The Microsoft employee group No Azure for Apartheid, which advocates for ending all Azure contracts and partnerships with the Israeli military and government, commented on the terminations on Monday, writing:

“Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal have both been officially fired by Microsoft over calls for disrupting the shameful Microsoft 50th anniversary.”

Agrawal had already submitted her two weeks’ notice and was preparing to leave the company on April 11, but on Monday, a manager emailed her to say that Microsoft “has decided to make your resignation effective immediately,” according to Oregon Public Broadcasting on April 7, 2025.

Oregon Public Broadcasting also reported that dozens of Google employees were fired last year after internal protests over a contract between Google and the Israeli government. Sit-ins at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California targeted a $1.2 billion deal known as Project Nimbus, which provides AI technology to the Israeli government.

An investigation by The Associated Press earlier this year revealed that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI had been used as part of an Israeli military program to select bombing targets during recent wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Aboussad, of Moroccan origin and a Harvard graduate, worked as a software developer at Microsoft’s Canadian headquarters in Toronto. Not only did she protest against the company, but she also announced that she had resigned from her position—contrary to Microsoft’s claim that she was fired.

Less than 24 hours after her brave act, her accounts were deleted, she was expelled from Microsoft’s Canadian headquarters in Toronto, and she was digitally isolated—contrary to Microsoft’s version of events.

Aboussad has since received many job offers.

Upon learning about Ibtihal’s story, Kuwaiti businessman Abdullah Al-Dubos offered her a prestigious position, calling her a Moroccan heroine who exposed and revealed Microsoft’s complicity in the genocide in Gaza.

She has already received dozens of job offers from around the world because she is not only super competent—but courageous.

This is a well-deserved reward for her. May Allah bless her for her courage and her sacrifice to help the Palestinian people. She sacrificed her career to stand on the side of justice.

The story of this brave heroine from Morocco should be shared widely. She has received a great job offer because she’s not only skilled—she also has the heart of a lioness. What a powerful reward for her act of bravery and compassion. I truly wish her the best for the future.

Roar loud enough, and the world will have no choice but to listen—just like a lioness.
"Strength isn’t just physical; it’s the fire that burns within a woman’s soul, much like a lioness’ heart."

Link to Tweet: https://x.com/Jumana_Writes/status/1908276022081909035

Dr. Sumaya Hamadmad of Columbus, Ohio—one of the most respected members of the Central Ohio Muslim community—shared a Facebook post in defense of Aboussad that captured the feelings of many pro-Palestinian advocates:

“Silence is complicity, but small things can make a difference.”

This was echoed by Ibtihal herself in an email to her colleagues. She wrote that she thought deeply before taking action, and her inner voice repeatedly asked her:

“What is the point of this action you are taking? What impact will it leave? Wouldn’t it be better to keep the job you’ve worked so hard for and support Gaza financially? Wouldn’t that be more effective, practical, and meaningful? Who are you to think you can stop a genocide the entire world has conspired to ignore?”

Dr. Hamadmad concluded her message by saying:

“But Ibtihal believed in the value of small things and in the individual’s ability to act, change, and leave an impact. Perhaps she overcame all the whispers of her inner voice with her prayer. O God, inspire us to do what Ibtihal has done… grant us faith in its benefit… the courage to act… and protect us from helplessness.”

Mahmoud El-Yousseph, a Palestinian freelancer for Islamicity.org and ColumbusFreepress.com. He can be reached at elyousseph6@yahoo.com.