IARP

A Message from IARP Board Member Sarah Kanan

IARP — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:55:19 +0000

"I grew up in Iran, but I was from Iraq. Then I came here, to America, and I still continued being that person who grew up in Iran but was from Iraq, even though I live in America." I wrote those words in the�book�I created with the�Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project�(IARP) last year. The book tells my story of growing up in Iran and the United States as an Iraqi. When I went to visit Iraq, my home country, I was a foreigner among my own people. When I came to live in America I was still seen as a foreigner, regardless of my citizenship. Going to high school in America, I became part of leadership groups. I was involved in creating interfaith and cross-cultural awareness. I started to develop my own identity. In 2009 I returned to my family's country of origin. This time, my childhood memories had lost their innocence. There were power outages for hours at a time and sometimes there was no water. Or the water is dirty. Iraqis were going through war and death on a daily basis.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="581"] Photo by Anna Kaminski[/caption]

Still, despite the bitterness I witnessed, I loved so much about Iraq: the importance of the concept of family, the way people take time to enjoy the little things in life, and especially the wide and delicious variety of Iraqi cuisine. While visiting Basra, where my family is from, I saw a sign that read, "Ask not what Iraq can do for you, but what you can do for Iraq." This statement really touched me and when I returned to America, I wanted to find a way to apply it. I heard about IARP and started attending some events, and last year I wrote my book. Earlier this year I was honored to join the Board of Directors. I'm involved with IARP because I believe in its mission of reconciliation and in the impact of its work. Iraqis and Americans have so much to learn from one another, but we can't do that separated by a legacy of war and violence. Additionally, there is a real lack of organizations doing work like IARP, work that promotes a better future for Iraqis. With your support, IARP is helping both sides begin to heal. We are providing�clean water�to Iraqi schools, creating�dialogue through art and culture, bringing Iraqis and Americans�face-to-face�and building new friendships, and supporting�peacemakers in Iraq.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Young students in Iraq who received access to clean water through our Water for Peace program.[/caption]

In order to continue this work for reconciliation, we need your help. I'd like to ask you to help both of my home countries begin to heal by�becoming a monthly sustaining donor. We really need you to continue our work. A�monthly gift�will help make possible several upcoming projects: A delegation of women activists from Najaf, Iraq to Minneapolis: women attorneys, teachers, and journalists will visit Minneapolis this summer. They will engage in leadership training, dialogue with counterparts in the Twin Cities, and capacity building activities for their return to Iraq. They are eager to exchange knowledge with women in the Twin Cities. A return delegation to Iraq: IARP's delegation to Najaf in November 2012 was the first American citizen delegation to Najaf since before 2003, according to the local government. IARP and MPT are planning a return delegation to Najaf, as well as additional delegations to Minneapolis. We recently released a�report on the Minneapolis - Najaf relationship�as a model for other Iraqi - American Sister City relationships, and we hope to support the development of these additional Sister City relationships. We have continuing programs with our Iraqi affiliate the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, including:

The Iraqi Art Project: We are planning a major exhibit in the fall of 2013 in Minneapolis, highlighting the relationship with Najaf. We also plan to continue exhibiting books and videos we produced with local Iraqi refugees and Iraqi-Americans as a way to bring personal stories of those affected by the war to Americans. More info:�IraqiArtProject.org

The Water for Peace Program: with the support of faith communities, schools, veteran groups, and individuals, we have provided clean water to over 44,000 children, 89 schools, a medical clinic, and a large teaching hospital in Iraq. More info:�WaterForPeaceProject.org

A portion of your donation will be used to support these programs.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="597"] IARP's delegation to Najaf in November 2012 planted trees along a major thoroughfare in the city. One Najafi man said, "Before you came here, the US was known as the #1 killer of Iraqis. But you came in peace. We see that you come as friends. Children and adults see a new face of Americans. You came and provided water filters, you sent letters to school children. This is reconciliation."[/caption]

We genuinely appreciate your support. Our organization is very modest and we endeavor to be good stewards of resources shared with us. This May, we need to reach 25 households who will commit to donating monthly on an on-going basis. Any amount would be very much appreciated and welcomed. We can work with you to accept those monthly gifts with a bank transfer or via a credit card, whichever works best for you.�You can find out more about the giving options on our website here. Your gifts will remain eligible as tax-deductible as we are recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Of course, if you're not able to commit to a monthly gift but would like to support IARP with�a one-time gift, we deeply appreciate every donation. IARP staff members Luke Wilcox (luke@reconciliationproject.org,�612-367-6194) or Kathy McKay�(kathy@reconciliationproject.org,�952-545-9981) can answer any questions you may have about our programs. When I hear the quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," I think of both America and Iraq. Please join me in doing what we can for both countries. Sincerely,

Sarah�Kanan Board Member Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project Sarah's book is available on IARP's Iraqi Art Project website,�IraqiArtProject.org

Cruise with Iraqi Women Leaders

IARP — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:25:11 +0000

Meet and support courageous women leaders from Iraq

July 2, 2013 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Lady of the Lake Cruise, Lake Minnetonka 8 Water Street Excelsior, MN 55331

Dinner will be served

Passenger (1 Ticket): $50 Empowering Sponsor (8 Tickets and a Table for 8): $400 Supporting Sponsor (6 Tickets and a Table for 6): $300

Click here to reserve your tickets.

Questions: Luke@ReconciliationProject.org or 612-367-6194

All proceeds will support the hosting of our featured guests on the cruise, 8-10 Iraqi women leaders visiting the Twin Cities for leadership training, contacts with women's rights organizations, and public presentations to Americans.

Iraqi women have seen a backward slide in their rights since 2003. These women are courageously traveling to Minnesota to learn and become better leaders for women's rights in Iraq. Please join us in supporting them.

We Mourn with Iraq

IARP — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:52:00 +0000

“We Mourn with Iraq”

IARP — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:48:15 +0000

A message from the 3rd and 4th grade classes at Summers-Knoll School in Michigan: After viewing a photograph of two young Iraqis sharing a message of condolence and solidarity with the people of Boston, my class and I were inspired to create a message for Iraqis that are suffering through horrific attacks. While making the video, Iraqis continued to suffer through bombings, including in the cities of Amarah, Diwaniyah, Ramadi, Fallujah and Karbala. We hope to raise awareness of the conditions under which the Iraqis work to rebuild their lives after the war and occupation and honor the courage and resilience of the Iraqi people. We are working with the IARP (Iraqi + American Reconciliation Project) whose work focuses on building channels of communication and support between communities in Iraq and America. The song used in the video is entitled, "Peace and Love" by Homeboy Sandman - Chris Swinko, Teacher at Summers-Knoll School, Ann Arbor, Michigan We Mourn With Iraq from SK.Chris on Vimeo.

“To our friends in Iraq, our hearts are with you.”

IARP — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:32:22 +0000

In response to the photo of two Iraqi boys here:

"To our friends in Iraq, our hearts are with you."

- Medtronic Preschool Class, Minnesota

Water for Peace Action at 3 Schools in Iraq

IARP — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:15:20 +0000

The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and our partner in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), are proud to announce that the 727 students of Al Adnaniyah Elementary School, 575 students of Demashaq Middle School, and 925 students of Imam Hussein High School�in Najaf, Iraq now have access to clean water through our Water for Peace program. MPT recently installed large (200 gallon per day) water sanitation systems at each of the schools. Thank you to the donor St. Joan of Arch Church! Below are some photos from the schools: [gallery ids="8827,8828,8829,8830,8831,8832,8833,8834,8835,8836,8837,8838,8839,8840,8841,8842,8843,8844,8845,8846,8847,8848,8849,8850,8851,8852,8853,8854,8855,8856,8857,8858,8859,8860,8861,8862,8863,8864,8865,8866" orderby="rand"]

A message of condolences and solidarity from Iraqis to Americans

IARP — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:24:47 +0000

A message of condolences and solidarity from Iraqis to Americans.� Photo credit: Sami Rasouli and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams.�View on Facebook.

2012 Annual Report Release: Seeds of Reconciliation

IARP — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:48:05 +0000

You helped us accomplish a lot last year. You helped us plant seeds of reconciliation between Iraqis and Americans. Together we are working to nurture and grow those seeds, to transform a legacy of violence into one of reconciliation. We invite you to explore what you helped make possible in 2012: Click here to view the entire report.

Water for Peace Action at Jawad Ali Tahir School in Najaf, Iraq

IARP — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:33:10 +0000

The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and our partner in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), are proud to announce that the 650 students of Jawad Ali Tahir School in Najaf, Iraq now have access to clean water through our Water for Peace program. MPT recently installed large (200 gallon per day) water sanitation system at the school. Thank you to donors St. Augustine Church and Jane Nicholl! Below are some photos from the schools: [gallery ids="8762,8761,8763,8764,8765"]

Water for Peace Action at Schools and Medical Clinic in Najaf, Iraq

IARP — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:13:31 +0000

The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and our partner in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), are proud to announce that the 651 students of Al Amani Middle School, the 729 students of Al Nidhal (The Struggle) Elementary School, and the 599 patients per day at the "For You" Medical Clinic in Najaf, Iraq now have access to clean water. Through our Water for Peace program, we recently installed large (200 gallon per day) water sanitation systems at all three locations. Thank you to the following major donors for bringing life-saving clean water to these schools and medical clinic: Steve and Christine Clemens, Kaia Svien and Bob Lyman, St. Augustine Church, Jane Nicholl, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Thank you also to the following donors for their critical support helping make these water installations possible: Rita Allen, Michele Braley and Nils Dybvig (in honor of Lee), Kevin Byrne, Karen Ekdahl, Cathy Fasy and Ed Murphy, Dave Gagne and Lauri Krouse, Susu Jeffrey, Karen and Ryan Karis, Kirk and Kimberly Knesting-Lund, Dan Leisen and Andi Kuenning, Sharon and Antoni Lewandowski, Sally and Robert Lund, Sharon Lyon, Patricia Mack, Lotti Matkovits, Judy Miner, Mardi and John Pearson (in honor of Carolyn Schurr and Steve and Christine Clemens for their work toward peace), Hilda Richey, Lisa Rudolph, Peter Thompson (in honor of Carolyn Schurr), Carol Witte and Winston Cavert, and Deborah Wuerffel. Below are some photos from the schools: [gallery ids="8745,8747,8746,8744,8743,8742,8741,8740,8739,8738,8737,8736,8735,8734,8733,8780,8779,8778,8776,8775,8774,8773,8772,8771,8770,8769,8768"]