Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

A commentary piece written by Sami Rasouli, Director of IARP’s partner organization the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, appeared in the Star Tribune on February 22, 2010. In the commentary, Sami writes, “In January, I returned to Iraq. I left Minneapolis with thanks for Americans’ commitment to peace and their generous spirit. I left, also, with a plea: Let us remember the people of my other homeland, Iraq. Let us remember our brothers and sisters.” To read the whole piece, click here.

Below is a story of a volunteer who has connected with an Iraqi Artist, Anwar Qamar.

From Iraq to Minnesota: Connecting through Art

Barb with painting purchased from Anwar Qamar, artist in Iraq

Barb is a Minnesotan who recently heard Sami Rasouli, Director of MPT, speak about life in Iraq and the continuing consequences of war. After Sami’s talk, Barb wrote, “We were all devastated, and called to action, and also inspired by the potential that we people can reach across to each other and simply create peace.” Barb bought a painting by Iraqi artist Anwar Qamar that Sami had brought with him. She emailed Anwar and, with some help in getting the email to Anwar from IARP’s partner in Iraq the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, talked with Anwar via their computers. Anwar showed Barb other pieces of his work and asked her to speak slowly so he could catch the English. More »

The Departure - Esam Saheb

Call for Artist Submissions
The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project is seeking artists to submit their work for a juried visual arts group show, The Art of Conflict: Identity in Conflict and Displacement, opening in August 2010 at a gallery space in Minneapolis, MN. The exhibition will feature 12-15 works from local Twin Cities artists, and 12-15 works from Iraqi artists. To read guidelines and submit work, click here.

The exhibition aims to explore the themes of violent conflict, war, displacement, and personal identity by combining perspectives from those living within a violent conflict (Iraqi artists) and those who have “escaped” from such conflict (local refugee, immigrant, and veteran artists). In Minnesota, life amid violent conflict – in Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Honduras, Burma, or elsewhere – is difficult for many to imagine. Yet many Minnesotans, including refugees and veterans, have experienced directly war or violent conflict and live with that experience everyday. More »

Sami Rasouli, Director of the Muslim Peacemaker Teams and IARP Board Member, recently spoke at the University of Minnesota-Duluth about the work of IARP and MPT to build connections and peace between Iraqis and Americans. Sami also spoke about the current situation in Iraq and the challenges of rebuilding Iraqi society. Below are a few photos from the event:

The delegation from Najaf to Minneapolis headed home to Iraq on October 2nd after a productive 2 weeks. The delegates met with hundreds of Americans and set a strong foundation for further connections and peace-building activities between the two cities and countries. You can read about their visit here and here. Below are photos from the delegates’ visit.

One of the delegates, Dr. Najim Askouri, writes,”Thank you very much for your hospitality towards us during our visit to Minneapolis. We spent beautiful days to be remembered for a long time. We hope that the sister city relationship will be promoted and fulfilled for the benefits of people and the cause of peace. God bless you all.

THE MPLS-NAJAF SISTER CITY

COMMITTEE INVITE YOU TO:

Arab Night

A celebration of the sister city relationship

between Najaf, Iraq and Minneapolis, Minnesota,

hosted by the visiting delegation from Najaf and

featuring:

Live Middle Eastern

Music

Catering by Big Marina’s Grill & Deli

St. Joan of Arc Choir

Iraqi Art by Najaf Artists via IARP

& More!

Thursday, SEPT 24th 2009. 7pm-9pm.

St. Joan of Arc Church Gym.

4537 3rd Ave S. Mpls, MN 55419.

$8 suggested donation.

For the English version, click here.

2009R-337

قرار مدينة منيابولس

بأصدار من:  هادجس, جوردن, حافستد, رمينجتن, جلدن

قبول دعوة من مدينة النجف الاشرف في العراق للانضمام بإتفاقية التوأمة و دعوة مواطني مدينتي النجف و منيابولس للمشاركة بالنشاطات المذكورة في الاتفاقية ، والموافقة على تطوير الخطط الخاصة بها من قبل منظمة “مشروع المصالحة العراقية-الامريكية” More »

EngageMN, an online project aiming to give voice to Minnesota’s Muslim community, recently published an article about the new Sister City relationship between Minneapolis, USA and Najaf, Iraq. The article also highlights the upcoming delegation visit to Minneapolis from Najaf. To read the article, click here.

After more than a year of moving toward this goal, the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and our partner in Iraq the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT) are celebrating the beginning of a formal Sister City relationship between Najaf, Iraq and Minneapolis, MN USA. On Friday, July 31st, the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution by unanimous vote establishing the two cities as official Sister Cities.

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Adnan

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