On September 11, 2014, a group of fourteen women from nations across South and Central Asia visited KARAMAH as a part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) on “Women Leaders: Promoting Peace and Security.” The delegation met with KARAMAH staff, and discussed issues of conflict resolution, education, and women’s rights.
Each of the woman was a leader in her own community. There were diplomats, advocates working on gender based violence, coalition builders, law enforcement officers, and advocates that work towards conflict resolution in conflict areas and tribal provinces. Executive director, Aisha Rahman, touched upon the Law and Leadership Summer Program, illustrating its need through a lively discussion of the current state of education about Islam.
The discussion between KARAMAH staff and these leaders confirmed the need for KARAMAH’s education. An education which restores individuals with agency to understand and analyze matters that are attributed to Islam–this agency has been robbed of many around the world and is leading many to question the ideals of Islam. KARAMAH hopes that our efforts will continue to foster open discourse and conversations about Islam. Because many of the leaders are struggling to restore justice in areas of conflict, KARAMAH staff also discussed the upcoming Muslim Mediation Initiative (“MMI”), an innovative approach to conflict resolution. More information regarding the MMI is forthcoming.
EN 
AR