Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Below is a recent note from Sami Rasouli, Director of Muslim Peacemaker Teams (IARP’s partner in Iraq):

Dear friend,

“Schools across Iraq are crumbling as a result of a lack of government attention as well as rampant corruption, leaving many children without any means of education say observers.” By Nizar Latif / Wasit

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=74&id=2420&lang=0

Meanwhile IARP & MPT are trying to do a positive difference toward Iraqi children’s lives by reducing the violation of Human Rights, hardship of living conditions, violence & abuse applications, and improving their education system.

Please read this report:
EDUCATION FOR PEACE ACTION
IN NAJAF

English as a foreign language for Third graders at Iraqi schools:

The Iraqi Ministry of Education had a successful experiment of teaching English as a foreign language for Third graders in the province of Al-Muthana last schooling year (2007-2008).

IME had added the program as a new curricula for 3rd grade students at all schools across the country during current schooling year (2008-2009). English as a foreign language program begun to be taught at 5th grade in the past. The education community across the country is pleased for such positive change and development, even some educators and education experts are calling for earlier start with the program as early as 1st grade to begin with. The students are learning to listen, point, make, say words and eventually getting engaged in conversation between each other without leaning writing, reading or grammar skills at this stage of learning. The idea is to enable this group of early age kids to use a foreign language by providing them skills of active methods of communication.

MPT considers this curricula development is very important for the students at this stage of age where kids could discover other’s culture through learning other’s language, since MPT and IARP are engaged actively in several projects (Letters For Peace for instance) aimed to connecting children of both US and IRAQ.

Teachers, students and their parents are happy for this exciting program, but schools are lacking necessary visual aids such as flashcards, audio system and wall charts that make teacher’s job easy and help students to get best results of learning process.

MPTers Mr. Ayad Khoshi, Principal of Al-Hiwariyoon Elementary and his Supervisor Mr. Abdul Khuder Abbas have suggested to MPT the possibility to provide the school with the needed VA by scanning the 42 colored pages of the newly assigned 3rd grade book-Iraq opportunity (please see photo below) and printing 21 large sizes of 2 pages together (1.2m X 80cm) as extremely helpful tool for English teachers.

This educational action was under taken by MPT 6 weeks ago as a response to Mr. Khoshi and Mr. Abbas request to show how VA for leaning a foreign language is important and also urging the officials in charge at the Iraqi Eduction Ministry to make them available for schools next year.

English teacher Mr. Anmar Jasim has reported that the experiment of using the wall charts at 2 of his English classes has improved kids learning up to 95% against 55% before using them.

There are over 16,000 elementary schools in Iraq.

Helping kids learn English will eventually help a whole Iraqi generation to understand American culture and become friends toward other people who speak English as an International language.

Thank you for your time and good work to heal our wounded world.

Peace,

Sami Rasouli
Muslim Peacemaker Teams
Najaf, Iraq

“The Iraqis who believed most in America are now running for their lives. Who will save them?”

Below are trailers for “The Promise of Freedom,” a documentary about Kirk Johnson, an American aid worker trying to help Iraqis who are in danger because they cooperated and worked with the U.S. over the last six years.

Below is a simplified version of the second edition of IARP’s new e-newsletter, the Reconciliation Report. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please email info@mpt-iraq.org with the word “subscribe” in the subject line, or leave a comment here on this blog.

IARP Reconciliation Report

Issue 2, May 2009

Art shows, water systems, and expanding outreach

By Kathy McKay, Executive Director

Greetings from the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project! I hope this second edition of the Reconciliation Report finds you well and enjoying spring.

I want to thank you for your support for IARP. We’re particularly excited about a number of art shows in the U.S. and Iraq, new water sanitation systems providing clean water for Iraqi schools and hospitals, and our expanding outreach efforts–none of which would be possible without you. This edition includes information on these activities, a note from Sami Rasouli (Director of Muslim Peacemaker Teams), and links for you to learn and act.

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Art Shows

IARP believes strongly in the power of art to transform perceptions and ideas. An Iraqi artist’s expression of war and occupation provides a window into her personal experience. For Americans, this window can counter the objectification of Iraqis as mere recipients of U.S. action (as depicted in photographs and media; e.g., American soldiers with guns bursting into an Iraqi home) and instead personalize Iraqi life.

A number of exciting shows are displaying Iraqi art this spring and summer. At United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN, the gallery show Art of War: Artists in Dialogue will be on display through June 15th. The show includes art from U.S. veterans and Iraqis. In conjunction with the gallery show, Iraq War veteran and UTS student Luke Leonard will hold a public discussion on May 6th about the situation in the Middle East. IARP hopes to see you there!

Through July 5th, the Salir a la luz gallery brings to light the interconnectedness of the world and enters “into the lives of children in war-torn Iraq.” The children’s art exhibit is from War Kids Relief, an organization that connects Iraqi and American youth. The Salir a la luz gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday 12-6pm or by appointment and is located in the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western, St. Paul, MN.

IARP will display Iraqi art at Art-A-Whirl, the large art weekend in Northeast Minneapolis from May 15-17th. IARP’s display will be at 1400 Van Buren St. IARP will also showcase Iraqi art at the Sabes Jewish Community Center and the Lanesboro Arts Center this September-November.

In Iraq, IARP’s partner organization Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT) recently hosted an art show in Najaf for Iraqi artist Shaima’a Saad. Images from the show, which over 500 people attended, can be found on IARP’s blog.

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Water sanitation systems

With support from IARP and a number of American groups, Muslim Peacemaker Teams continues to install water sanitation systems at schools and hospitals in Iraq, providing clean water for Iraqis. Below are some recent photos sent by Sami Rasouli, Director of MPT.

IARP and MPT are thankful for the many people who have expressed interest in contributing to the Water for Peace project. Dr. Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins are currently on a 2000 mile cyclying/speaking tour on the U.S. West Coast to bring attention to two water issues: plastic waste filling the ocean and the critical need for clean water at schools around the world. Part of their mission is to raise awareness and funds for water sanitation systems in Iraq. Dr. Eriksen says, “Anna and I firmly believe that if every citizen could choose two causes (one human rights cause and one conservation cause) to know well, teach about, and defend with time and money, then the world would be a much different place. For this tour down the coast, we chose ‘Plastic waste in our seas’ and ‘Clean water for schools.’ We hope to make difference.” Their website can be found here.

For teachers and others interested in the water situation in Iraq, IARP has a short synopsis of the situation here.

More pictures from the Water for Peace project can be found here.

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Expanding outreach

IARP is working hard to expand its outreach, connecting with a number of groups and individuals. Our new blog provides an open place for you to explore and contribute to IARP’s work. We invite you to submit activities, events, articles or other content that expresses your views on reconciliation, peace, and the relationship between Iraqis and Americans. IARP also has a Facebook group and Twitter online.

Recently, IARP Board Member Matt Gilroy visited a number of local and national organizations that support peace and human rights in the U.S. and Middle East. IARP is exploring ways to collaborate with Friends for a Non-Violent World, AMIDEAST, Global Action for Children, Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Washington Office, and others.

IARP also recently met with War Kids Relief to talk about collaboration and exchanged some exciting ideas. Both organizations work with kids and students in Iraq and the U.S. to build friendship and peace. What if there had been programs like the Young Ambassadors Program and Water for Peace 40 years ago, throughout the U.S. and Iraq? Would the same war have happened? It’s much harder to go to war with your friends than your “enemies.”

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Sami Reports

A note from Sami Rasouli, Director of the Muslim Peacemaker Teams

Dear IARP and friends,

Congratulations! If there is any kind of CHANGE taking place or will take place in the US since January 20th, 2009, CHANGE of minds and hearts would be what we need in Iraq, and this is happening right now, day after day in Najaf due to your fine work of peacebuilding and extending bridges of respect and understanding between people of the US and Iraq. I would like to report to you about Water For Peace action that took place this morning at Al-Khawrnaq High School for boys (700 students) in Najaf. The School is an old teaching institution, was established in 1923. I personally had attended my 7th, 8th and 9th grades in the sixties. A large unit of 300 Gallons of drinking water production purifier has been installed at the school. Thank you!

School Principal, Staff members and students have expressed with enthusiasm their appreciation for you and the donors of the gift they have received and friendship you are offering. They also have listened with interest to MPTer Samirah (project coordinator) who graciously explained MPT & IARP plans for Minneapolis-Najaf sister city project.

More reports to come soon.

Best,

Sami Rasouli, Muslim Peacemaker Teams

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Update on Najaf delegation planning

IARP continues to plan for a delegation from Najaf, Iraq to visit Minneapolis this coming September. Members of the delegation will include professors (likely a Dean and a Department Chair) from the University of Kufa, a representative from the Chamber of Commerce of Najaf, one or two members of the Najaf City Council, representatives from two or three women-focused NGO’s, representative(s) from the Social Science research group AFAAQ, and a member of the writer’s group currently corresponding with a group at the Loft in Minneapolis. Several of these visitors already have communicated with individuals here in the Twin Cities.

The Najaf residents are reportedly excited to meet people here that they have communicated with, to see how our city is run, and see how we live.

The delegation planning group has met once and is looking for more volunteers to make sure this is a rich, relaxing and educational visit for our friends from Iraq. Please respond to info@mpt-iraq.org if you would like to be involved.

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Links

UNAMI Human Rights Report: the recently released report from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, covering the period from July 1 to December 31, 2008.

Peace with Justice Center (Vermont): provides some good resources for peace and justice activists.

Blogs of the Month

Preemptive Love Coalition: “Life-saving heart surgeries for Iraqi children & cooperation between communities at odds.”

Checkpoint Baghdad: Newsweek’s Iraq blog. Stories are usually interesting and informative.

From Baghdad to New York: “Iraq as Iraqis see it and love it.”

Take Action!

The Shape of Change project is an expanded sculpture project, investigating Iraqi and American concepts of political change, independence and civic agency. People across both countries are answering questions ranging from the meaning of democracy to the importance of national identity. Answers will be collected in an open source data base and interpreted in several ways. As content evolves in response to political events, artistic renderings of the data will function as evolving representations of change. If you are interested in the project, you can read more information and fill out the questionnaire here.

Urge President Obama to support Iraqi refugees.

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Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Join IARP’s Facebook group or follow us on Twitter

Visit IARP’s website or Blog

Email IARP

Donate online and help strengthen the work of IARP. Donations can also be sent by mail to:

Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

1346 Westwood Hills Road

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

These Iraqi music artists were recommended to me by a Lebanese friend… If anyone has other suggestions of Iraqi artists they like, please let me know!

UPDATE: LNyousif at From Baghdad to New York recommended Naseer Shama. I love it! LNyousif also recommended the great Ismail al-Farwache (who lost his leg in the 1991 Gulf War) and collected the Photos of Iraq below with a few different Iraqi music pieces. Thanks!

Naseer Shama:

Ismail al-Farwache:

Iraq in Photos:

Kazem al-Saher:
Haitham Yousif:
Hatem al-Iraqi:

On May 6th, Iraq War veteran and United Theological Seminary student Luke Leonard will hold a public discussion about the situation in the Middle East. The forum is in conjunction with the ongoing show Art of War: Artists in Dialogue, currently on display at UTS. See flyer below for more information.

This looks like a fantastic show about the interconnectedness of the world. It’s open until July 5th, Tuesday-Sunday 12-6pm or by appointment. Location is the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western, St. Paul, MN. If you can go, go!

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LIVING IN LIGHT April 24 – July 5, 2009 Opening Friday, April 24 ● 6 pm – 9 pm Wine and hors d’oeuvres Paintings by Kelli Bickman, Photog raphy by Connie Bickman, and Mixed-media by Iraqi War Kids Relief Everyday we are reminded of our how our lives intersect with others at home, at work and in our communities. This show brings to light how that interconnectedness extends around the world by encouraging us to bring home the playfulness of the Buddha and other deities, share the stories of women from around the world, and enter into the lives of children in war-torn Iraq. Come see yourself in the lives of others and then, like these artists, envision the role you play in making this a better world. Watch for the many special events during this extended 10-week show! To preview the current show, click here. After the opening, come visit us: Tues – Sun 12-6 or by appointment Salir a la Luz is located in St. Paul in the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western (map). Or visit us on the web at: www.saliralaluz.com Handicapped accessible. Please call for information (651.340.1957). Additional parking across=2 0Selby courtesy of the St. Paul Urban League. Top: K. Bickman, Christ Buddha, 5′ x 7 ‘ Middle: War Kids Relief, Doll #17, 11 x 14 Bottom: C. Bickman, Aboriginal Dance, 11 x 14

Main Gallery Kelli Bickman is a multi-media artist who has traveled the world extensively and been fortunate to study with several spiritual masters, including the Dalai Lama and Geshe Micheal Roach. In 2007 she ventured to India and spent several months living in a Tibetian Buddhist Nunnery studying tangka paintings and temple art. Come see the influence of these experiences in the “Images of Enlightenment” paintings on exhibit at Salir a la Luz. Special events to follow. Left: Naga Om, 34 x 22

Minnesota Gallery Children’s Gallery We are pleased to carry over the popular exhibit by award-winning photojournalist Connie Bickman. With photos and stories from around the world, Connie let’s us enter into the lives of others to better see our own. Watch for coming events where Connie will share her own story and life-changing experiences! Above: Golden Offering, 11 x 14 The children’s art exhibit is from the War Kids Relief (WKR) program. WKR connects American and Iraqi youth through a program centered on a pen-pal and art exchange. Come learn how they empower children to become Youth Ambassadors for their countries, leading towards a more peaceful understanding between nations. Special events include mini-Youth Ambassador workshops and A Soldier’s March for Peace!

165 western avenue, suite 10 • saint paul, mn 55102 • www.saliralaluz.com • info@saliralaluz.com

IARP and War Kids Relief (see below) have had an initial meeting to talk about collaboration and exchanged some exciting ideas. Seems like a perfect fit: we both work with kids and students in Iraq and the U.S. to build friendships and peace. If current distrust between Iraqis and Americans is left unaddressed, it could “lead to a future generation of tension among these two groups, and the price paid could be extremely high.” What if there had been programs like War Kids Relief and Water for Peace 40 years ago, throughout the U.S. and Iraq? Would the same war have happened? It’s much harder to go to war with your friends than your “enemies.”

War Kids Relief
War Kids Relief was founded in 2005 by Capt. Jonathan Powers, former artillery platoon leader in the Army’s 1st Armored Division, as a way to help Iraqi children deal with the adverse effects of the war. Now an in-house program of Children’s Culture Connection, War Kids Relief is harnessing the creative potential of children in both Iraq and the US to promote peace, tolerance and respect for different cultures through their newfound friendships with one another.

With donor support we will replicate this program all across the U.S. and Iraq in a sustainable, long term program.

Young Ambassadors Pilot Program

In 2009, War Kids Relief will be launching the first Young Ambassadors Program to promote peace, tolerance and respect for different cultures among Iraqi and US youth.

The Need in Iraq:
Iraqi youth lack exposure to other cultures. Many have negative impressions and ideas about Americans. On a daily basis, Iraqi youth are negatively influenced through magazines and books that contain extreme ideas encouraging violence. Rarely are young people exposed to alternative viewpoints. These disengaged Iraqi youth are more vulnerable to military recruitment, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, and radicalization. Many have lost their families and homes in the current war and have no constructive outlets to express their pain, fear and frustration.

The Need in the US:
In America, young people have little knowledge of the realities of life for young people in war-affected areas. Many have an inaccurate understanding of the current war in Iraq, believing that all Iraqis are the enemy, and leading to negative stereotyping, fear and distrust of people of Arab descent. Many American children have also lost their own parents, relatives and loved ones in the war. Currently there are almost no channels of communication open between Iraqi and American youth. This lack of communication and misunderstanding, left unaddressed, will lead to a future generation of tension among these two groups, and the price paid could be extremely high.

War Kids Relief, in partnership with the Iraqi NGO, the Darstan Group, is changing that. Together we will be conducting a program that will:

-Create a friendship bridge between the Iraqi and USA children by pairing middle school students in the US with their peers in Iraq through a creative cultural exchange.

-Expand the cross-cultural understanding and tolerance of the US/Iraqi youth to help them understand and appreciate one another’s cultures.

-Promote tolerance, peace and the principles of human rights among the selected Iraqi youth to enable them to work for social changes among their families and communities by acting as focal points for peace education.

-Educate US youth about the Iraqi cultures and people, and build compassion towards their peers living in war-affected areas, with a realistic view of how they can help.

My friend, children of America,

I’m your friend from Iraq. I love you and love all the children of the world. My people love to live in peace. I want to play and grow up looking to the sun of freedom. Please I don’t want war. Let us be friends. Let our both people be friends loving each other.

Your friend, Hind, age 10, Karbala, Iraq

Dear Iraqi brother,

I really wish this war would be over. I dream of a day when there is no war or killing. I want peace throughout the world. I am 12 and in seventh grade. I hope that one day you can play freely.

Love, your brother, Wilson K., St Paul, MN, USA

Letters for Peace – first sparked by letters written by Iraqi teens to their peers in the US, the Letters for Peace program has generated approximately 800 letters back and forth from US schoolchildren to their Iraqi counterparts. Iraqi letters are translated into English; American letters into Arabic and all are distributed to age-appropriate schools in each country and placed on a website for mutual viewing. The need for translators has brought spouses of Arab students at a local college in MN into the project; as an extra dividend, these volunteers get to read heartfelt desires for peace emanating from US schoolchildren.

Water for Peace – a project initiated by Vets for Peace in response to the deteriorating water sanitation problems, Water for Peace is a service-learning project that raises funds to provide Iraqi schools with potable water. Available to US schools, clubs, and religious institutions, this project links a US organization with a recipient school. Photos of the installation process and the resulting happy, healthier children help to build bridges across our cultures that have been torn apart by war.

These projects are sponsored by the Iraqi & American Reconciliation Project (IARP) of MN whose mission is to promote reconciliation between the people of the United States and Iraq in response to the devastation affecting Iraqi families, society and culture.

IARP’s projects offer simple means to enable the people of both countries to shed layers of immobilizing fear, to see beyond the notion of “enemy” when they consider each other. IARP works in tandem with the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT) of Najaf, Iraq. The Najaf MPT chapter is directed by Sami Rasouli a US citizen for 26 years, who returned to his homeland after the US invasion of Iraq to help his people pull together to survive the chaos of occupation. Mr Rasouli, with strong roots in both cultures, serves as a bridge-builder, helping to explain the peoples of each country to each other.

For a brighter future for children everywhere, as one step to move nations beyond war, please join us in writing letters and / or providing clean drinking water to the youth of Iraq. Let your teacher friends know about this project, too. Meet us at www.reconciliationproject.org/education.

Minneapolis artist Heba Amin was recently featured in a Star Tribune article about her work illustrating a book on female Muslim heroes (some of her illustrations are above). Amin says, “I’m very aware of cultural stereotypes. The image of Muslim women in the United States is of veiled, oppressed people who have no voice. But in fact, Muslim women have a long history of remarkable achievements.” A little-known but very true fact.

The book, “Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World,” was awarded a National Best Books 2008 Award and a Moonbeam Peacemaker Award. More info on the book can be found here.

On a (kind of) related note, EngageMN.com recently published an article on Muslim feminism and Muslim women in Minnesota: “For Muslim Women in Minnesota, Complex Identities”.

The Shape of Change is an expanded sculpture project, investigating Iraqi and American concepts of political change, independence and civic agency. People across both countries are answering questions ranging from the meaning of democracy to the importance of national identity. Answers will be collected in an open source data base and interpreted in several ways: as online data visualizations, physical sculptures, and a series of dialogues between paired Iraqi and American cities. Data will be publicly available for collaborations between Iraqi and American artists. As content evolves in response to political events, artistic renderings of the data will function as evolving representations of change.

The theme of change was ubiquitous throughout the US presidential campaign, and now that a new American president and many new regional Iraqi leaders have been elected, the need to discuss what political change actually means is imperative. The piece will explore if/how these concepts differ across cultures, and how desire for them is manifested or displaced.

If you are interested in the project, you can read more information here and fill out the questionnaire here. Pass the request along to people in as many different locations with as many different view points as you can.

Shape of Change Questions

1. In the current US elections, both political parties and voters across the country have cited the need for change, but people are seldom specific about what they feel change means. How do you define political change?
2. What do you feel would constitute meaningful change in your country? Do you feel this is possible?
3. What changes do you feel are required to improve the relationship between Iraq and the United States?
4. What do you feel constitutes true independence?
5. What do you feel needs to happen for Iraq and the United States to be fully independent of each other and when will you know that this has been achieved?
6. What do you feel constitutes true individual freedom? Do you feel this is possible in a democratic society?
7. Are you free to exercise choice in your life? Do you feel you have the ability to choose between meaningfully different political options in your country? If not, how might this situation be improved?
8. Do individuals have a political voice in your country? Do you enjoy freedom of expression? Do you feel that expression should ever be curtailed by government?
9. What is the potential for individuals to affect political change where you are?
10. Is national identity important and/or necessary? How would you describe your nation’s identity? Is it defined in relation to other countries?
11. What do you feel is the meaning of the word democracy?
12. What country and what part of that country are you from?