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Nurish Amanah (photo: Raquel Evita Saraswati)

Nurish Amanah (photo: Raquel Saraswati)

Raquel: What does Kartini’s legacy mean for you as a young Indonesian woman?

Nurish: Raden Ayu Kartini is the most popular symbol of the emancipation of Indonesian women and a national heroine.

Despite her enormous popularity as a national heroine for women, there are historians in some circles who question the legitimacy of her high ranking. They feel that Indonesia doesn’t give as much recognition to other great women like Dewi Sartika, Sultanah Seri Ratu Tajul, and others. Their complaint is specifically about race and ethnicity. They believe that Kartini was declared a heroine for all women because she was Javanese.

On Kartini Day, celebrated annually on the 21st of April, the country celebrates the life and legacy of Raden Ayu Kartini. For me, every woman of valor deserves to be called “Kartini.”

Kartini is a symbol of women’s emancipation, achievement and equality. Today’s Kartinis – Islam’s new Kartinis – can be Javanese, Arabian, Chinese, American, African and more.
 
Raquel: You work on so many important issues – but I know that education is one of your greatest passions. Can you tell me about how and why you decided to work on alternative education?

Nurish: I have taught from the kindergarten to university level. I have learned a lot about educational development, particularly in the field of alternative education. Indonesia is still considered part of the third world, and we are facing significant problems in education. Kompas, a major Indonesian daily newspaper, reported in March of 2010 that over 5 million school-age children are currently not enrolled in school. Most of these children are female.

Given the high numbers of students either not able to attend school at all, or to achieve higher levels of education, it is important to me to do something constructive for them. I am seeking to open an alternative school. It is a slow process, especially given my commitment to doing so without dependence on traditional fundraising. I am committed to funding much of the project myself. I work very hard, even selling textiles in my village, to make honest, halal money.

Nurish and Raquel

Nurish: My friends and I founded an organization called ABINITIO in 2008. We began work on an online magazine with the goal of developing a successful small business, and hiring students who need employment so that they can support themselves while getting an education.

Once our business is well-established, we will open a school for alternative education in a village or rural area, where education is most difficult to obtain.

My ideas for our alternative schooling program differ greatly from the education currently available in government and traditional schools. I firmly disagree with the educational system in public schools – the curriculum is unreasonably stressful and student life is very difficult. Some teachers hit their students as a form of punishment. I believe that is counter to the spirit of education.

I believe in learning outside of the classroom. By remaining isolated in the classroom, teachers can’t be fully aware of students’ talents and potential. We will create outdoor learning environments as well as media laboratories for students. Through these alternative learning environments and a holistic approach to education – free of violence and needless pressure, students will develop responsible relationships with society and the environment. It is also my hope that with a more student-centered approach like this, the school will graduate individuals who are more compassionate and aware.

Raquel: One of our first conversations was about women and the environment. Can you share with readers some of the connections you’ve found between environmental damage in Indonesia and the welfare of women?

Nurish: In our conversation, I was referring to the case of the Sidoarjo mud flow.

(*Raquel’s note: Lapindo, an oil and gas company, was drilling near the Sidoarjo mud volcano. The volcano erupted, releasing enough mud to fill a dozen Olympic-sized swimming pools. Despite controversy, the international community has come to an overwhelming consensus that the volcano’s eruption is connected to Lapindo’s drilling activities. The mud flow, currently contained by levees, still continues to intermittently disrupt local highways and villages. There are concerns that the volcano may erupt again in the future.)

Nurish: Upon learning of this incident, I wrote a paper titled “The Death of Ethics,” in which I discussed environmental ethics. The Sidoarjo incident was not a natural disaster, but an environmental one caused by human beings. It destroyed thousands of hectares of rice fields, homes, industries, mosques and more. Women and children suffered the most from the devastation, and we are seeing that this is often the case.
 
Raquel: What are some other connections you see between women, the environment, and industrialization?

Nurish: I think the issues of industrialization and consumption are also women’s issues. Women’s lives are often controlled by the cultural, social, religious and political demands on them. For example, women are expected to be physically beautiful. To meet these demands and to be accepted in the work force and social sphere, women need to spend a lot on products and services to enhance their physical appearance. Though it is the women consuming these products, they are actually being controlled by the forces insisting that they be “consumed” for their bodies and looks. In short and to be frank, women’s bodies are regularly assaulted by the cosmetics, fashion and other industries.
 
Raquel: I have enormous respect for you as a woman of faith. How does Islam inspire you to create positive change?
 
Nurish: Islam teaches me to learn with other people and other groups. For me, Islam represents unity, and not just among Muslims. We have to be respectful, tolerant, and peaceful with others. Lakum dinukum waliyadin means “To you be your way, and to me mine” (Qur’an 109:06). This verse promotes tolerance toward other religions and other groups.  All human beings are family, and this is my understanding of the essence of Islamic teaching.

Raquel: Do you have a Muslim female heroine? Who is she, and why?

Nurish: Surely, I do. The first one I must mention is my mother. It is because of her that I am here and that I have survived – and her spirit is always with me. Her patience drives me to be a better woman.

Secondly, I dearly admire Nawal El Saadawi and her books inspire me. I don’t know her personally, but I like her ideas. She is very amazing.  Her book, Woman at Point Zero, really inspires me.

Nurish and Raquel

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Islam’s new Kartinis: Introduction

                                  March, 2010: Valerie Khan Yusufzai

                                  April, 2010: Nujood Ali

——–

Raquel Evita Saraswati is an American Muslim activist and writer whose main interests are religion and human rights, conflict resolution, women’s issues and democracy.

The current European headlines are dominated by France and Belgium’s impending face-veil legislation, but there is another, more important, story that isn’t getting as much attention—that of a quiet revolution throughout Europe of Muslim women emerging onto the political scene.

One of the most prominent examples is that of Salma Yaqoob in the UK. Yaqoob, a prospective parliament candidate, is the most prominent Muslim woman in British public life today. She herself wears a headscarf, a powerful symbol of a faith she has accommodated with her passionate leftwing politics. She represents UK’s Respect party and has a pretty good chance of making history as one of the first British Muslim women MPs. There are other Muslim women running for seats in Birmingham, Bethnal Green, Bolton South and other cities.

Sadly, however, by virtue of being both Muslim and women, Yaqoob and others face opposition from all sides who don’t believe they belong in politics. They face resistance from conservative elements in their own Muslim communities, as well as more extremist elements. During Yaqoob’s campaign in 2005, she even faced harassment and death threats from al-Ghurabaa, an Islamic extremist group later banned under UK’s Terrorism Act.

On the other hand, many non-Muslim voters feel threatened by her as a Muslim. “I’m between a rock and a hard place,” she says. “I have to jump hurdles because of the way I look. Firstly, I have to make it clear that I don’t support terrorism, secondly, that I’m British, thirdly, that I don’t just lobby for Muslims and lastly, that I’m not a Trojan horse for sinister Islamist plots.”

But she has been winning even her fiercest critics. She says, “some people who made out fatwas against voting for a woman have now been saying that I’m the right candidate. I have been invited into mosques – some of which don’t even have facilities for women to pray – to give the Friday sermons.”

But the story isn’t that Yaqoob and others like her might bring the headscarf to Westminster, but that they are introducing to British electoral politics a constituency of Muslim women. She claims that her work in politics “challenges the old order, which treats our communities as silent voting fodder. And it was only possible because we united people around a progressive message of anti-racism and social justice”.

So as difficult as it might be, she isn’t giving up. And others like her throughout Europe aren’t giving up either. And THAT is the bigger story to tell.

Meet our friend, Hanan, a fabulous new peacemaker, a cool mother,  a deeply progressive and courageous Muslim woman, one of a legion that we are discovering around the world. This is the hope of the Middle East.

For one Israeli Arab woman, peace begins within
By Karin Kloosterman

Real peacemakers are often the quiet ones, like Hanan Gaffaly – who works at the NGO Kids Creating Peace and volunteers for Sulhita, an NGO that brings together Palestinian and Israeli youth. Thousands of peacemakers like Gaffaly are not high profile activists like Ghandi and Martin Luther King were. They work from deep within, starting with themselves and their communities, and move on to take small, bold steps to influence the ‘big picture.’

ISRAEL21c first met Gaffaly, a 34-year-old Israeli Arab woman from the city of Jaffa near Tel Aviv, while at a San Francisco-based United Religions Initiative conference. At the annual meeting, held in Madaba, Jordan in December, which brought together different faiths from the Middle East-North Africa region, she sat with Elad Vazana, director of the Sulha Peace Project, an Israeli-Arab peace organization that also runs the Sulhita youth NGO, and proffered her personal story.

Palestinians, Israelis and the world at large fail to comprehend how uncomfortable it is for Gaffaly a “Palestinian Arab Israeli” who feels wedged in a major cultural rift in the Middle East. On one hand she identifies herself strongly as an Israeli, but at the same time she has Palestinian relatives with whom she empathizes.

Read the entire article from ISRAEL21c here.

“None but a noble man treats women in an honorable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (At-Tirmithy)

Last year, I was approached by MarcGopin.com to write a column focusing on positive incremental change.
While I am always in favor of an optimistic approach, I confess that it is sometimes hard to remain positive. This is especially difficult considering the many challenges women – and especially Muslim women – continue to face in establishing and preserving their rights. 

For example, it is true that the tribal practice of honor killing – in which women are slain to restore the “honor” of their families and communities  -  is not exclusive to Islamic societies and even existed in pre-Islamic times. However, it is also true that the perpetrators of these crimes are often Muslim – and their victims, numbering in the thousands each year, are Muslim women. Some who have lost their lives for “honor” are victims of rape – punished for “impurity” rather than supported in mercy.  Many girls and women are still forced into marriages, barred from receiving even the most basic education, maimed with acid, and treated as second-class citizens. 

 
While these stories seem overwhelming, hope lies in our past and in our present.

Over a century ago, a young Muslim named Raden Ayu Kartini used her  voice to empower women in her own society. To her, the full empowerment of women – half of God’s creation – was essential to preserving basic human dignity.

Kartini’s now famous letters called for the equal education of women (she also founded a school for the education of girls), the cessation of forced marriages, and the full autonomy and legal equality of women. Kartini also aptly noted that “religion must guard us against committing sins, but more often, sins are committed in the name of religion.” While critical of the way her faith was practiced, her views did not prevent her from a fervent belief in Allah and a devotion to Islam.

Since Kartini’s passing, her legacy has inspired generations to continue raising their voices for the full equality of women. In fact, Indonesia recognizes her annually on “Kartini Day”; and her letters remain a call to critical thinking for Muslims.

Many of the issues Kartini raised at the turn of the 20th century are urgent concerns we have yet to resolve.  As we usher in a new decade, we find ourselves in a world smaller than that known to generations before us. No one can claim ignorance to the suffering of so many. Kartini’s mission to protect women has never been more pressing.
Many Muslim women are actively working for the improved status of women and girls. Their work is both demonstrative of positive incremental change and a source of hope and inspiration.

Each month, this space will feature a feature a Muslim woman working for positive change throughout the last decade.  When possible, my column will introduce you to these women via interviews I’ve had the opportunity to conduct with them. It is my aim to share with you not just the stories of well-publicized figures, but also to highlight the lesser-known heroines within the Muslim community.  The pursuits of justice and knowledge engage the best traditions of Islam – traditions women have long championed.  The women featured here have each taught me something about resilience and hope in the face of monumental challenges. I hope these stories do the same for you, inspiring positive change for the next ten years and beyond.

See you next month!

Links to check out:

* Al-Azhar Document on the Protection of Women and Children

* International Campaign Against Honour Killings

* Arabs and Muslims Against Honour Crimes

* The Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women

* Women Living Under Muslim Laws

* Musawah for Equality in the Family

* Acid Survivors Foundation – Pakistan

***********************************************************

Raquel Evita Saraswati is an American Muslim activist and writer whose main interests are religion and human rights, conflict resolution, women’s issues and democracy. She has lectured and published internationally on issues regarding women’s rights, honor violence, and the role of women in transforming the Muslim world. To contact her, visit her website.

Elana Rozenman and Ibtisam Mahmeed

THIS LETTER FROM ELANA ROZENMAN:

February 26th, 2009
TRUST- WIN visit to “Cordoba” school, Hebron

The ongoing conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians in the aftermath
of the violence in Gaza and southern Israel has put a strain on the ability
and willingness of many Israelis and Palestinians to engage in
peace-building activities. In that context last Thursday morning a group of
Israeli women (Jewish and Christian) set out from Jerusalem with enthusiasm
and some trepidation to meet with Reem Alshareef who is the Muslim director
of the Cordoba school in the H2 area of Hebron which is under Israeli
control. For pictures, press here and search under ‘Women Hebron’.
The Israeli women were from the left, the right, and the center politically.
All of them are in our wonderful book “Sixty Years, Sixty Voices: Israeli
and Palestinian Women” (www.sixtyvoices.org) One was an Armenian Orthodox
woman who is a nurse at Hadassah Hospital. One of the Israeli women lives
in Nokdim, a settlement not far from Hebron. One is the Director of the
Israeli branch of NAAMAT – the largest Israeli women’s organization On the
way there was discussion about how safe it was to travel without an escort
given the continual stress between the Jewish and the Muslim residents
of Hebron. Some of the Israeli women had not been to Hebron for years and
were surprised to learn that other women go there regularly to pray at the
Tomb of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

Reem’s school is across from Beit Hadassah on Shuhada Street in an area of
continual confrontation between Jewish and Muslim residents. We passed the
army guard and the barrier to walk with Reem up the hill to her school. We
brought her beautiful flowers and chocolates and were greeted by the
delicious smells of majedra cooking. We met with the teachers who served us
a delicious meal and everyone introduced themselves and shared a few words
in Hebrew or Arabic with much laughter. We spoke with Reem’s 10th grade
students from her English class and they enjoyed speaking to us in English
and answering our questions about their lives and their future plans. Reem
discussed their situation and history between Jews and Muslims in Hebron –
and basically we just enjoyed being together as women of all ages who are
trying to learn about each other’s lives and build a better future for
ourselves and our children, and who are refusing to be stopped by the
political environment, or the conflict. We women often have an easier time
leaving politics behind and building relationships of friendship and trust.
We were invited to hold our next meeting at the Armenian women’s center in
the Armenian Quarter of the Old City.

When we left, Reem accompanied us down to the street and said she could not
as a Palestinian walk on Shuhada Street. And sure enough — as she started
to walk towards the van with us, the soldier on guard came over and warned
her not to walk with us. Some of our women started arguing with him, but he
and Reem agreed this is the law, and we kissed her good-by and she left to
go back up the stairs.

On the drive back, the women were amazed at how easy it was to get there,
how graciously we were received by everyone at the school, the warm and
lovely atmosphere there and how happy the children were. They appreciated
not only the visit to Hebron and the school, but were grateful to have the
opportunity to get to know Reem and her reality — a possibility that is not
normally available.

A few days later, one of our TRUST WIN Coordinators went with a group of
Jewish women to pray in Hebron and reported:
“As we were boarding the bus in Hebron, my eye caught sight of an Arab woman
on her balcony looking at us. We were too far away to see one another’s
faces yet I felt her peacefulness. Spontaneously, I waved to her in a
friendly way and she waved back. I threw her a kiss and she sent one right
back to me. That moment of intimacy was certainly the highlight of my day!

Elana Rozenman
Director
TRUST – Emun
15 Naomi Street
Jerusalem 93552 Israel
972 2 6749698
972 522861779
elana@trust-emun.org

A REPORT BY DR. KATRIEN HERTOG

International Women’s Conference Celebrates Women’s Leadership

Bangalore, 6-8 February 2009

“If the Lehman Brothers would have been ‘Lehman Sisters’, would we be in the same mess as the one we are in now?” This provocative question characterizes the lively atmosphere of the Third International Women’s Conference, organised by the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) in Bangalore at the beginning of February. The Conference was dedicated to ‘The Light of Leadership: Integrating Global Perspectives’ and brought together 700 women from 68 countries and the most diverse cultures. All these women have taken up a leadership role in the world, whether on grassroots level or at the top, and this in the most diverse areas, such as health, politics, business, media, education, art or science. A top manager of the World Bank was sitting next to the first elected aboriginal woman, Miss Universe was sitting next to a renowned scientist, and all were sharing their experiences, motivation and challenges as a woman to make a difference in this world. The conference highlighted the daily, often invisible contribution of women to the wellbeing of our world and served as a platform to inspire and be inspired.

The position of women in the world today shows that a lot has become possible, but that many challenges still remain. Yes, there are indeed women ministers in Muslim countries in the Middle East, but the role of women in the film industry in India remains very limited and stereotypical, for example. During her breath-taking performance the celebrated Sufi artist Zila Khan sang about the many doors which have been opened for women, but also about the responsibility to walk skilfully through these open doors and not trample them. A constant theme throughout the speeches was the call among and upon the women present to take their responsibility and their rights as women instead of waiting for them till they are given. If you do not like the role of a silly beauty queen, then start writing your own scripts, it was argued. Instead of silently submitting to the ruling norms and limitations and avoiding conflicts as much as possible, women should apply their strength and talents to create “intelligent and constructive conflict”, according to Barbara Etter, as senior police woman from West-Australia. “If we keep doing what we always did, we will get what we always got. We have to do things differently. Business as unusual!”

On the basis of personal experiences, historical facts and modern statistics it was argued that women have special talents and possibilities for leadership. Some said that women have a natural inclination towards ethical values such as integrity, transparency, listening, courage and compassion, with a few exceptions. Mothers told about their fundamental concern for the wellbeing of their children as a motivation for their service to society, since their children “could not be seen in isolation from all the other children in the world”. Their deep longing for harmony would make them natural negotiators who are creative in finding win-win solutions, just like managing a household can never be or-or, but always and-and. “Men inspire to fight, women to unite”, it was said. According to Sister Concilia from Sri Lanka there is a big need in her country for spiritual women, who are courageous and compassionate, in order to reconcile the people where the religions of Sri Lanka have failed due to a lack of spirituality. Women were also seen as natural long-term visionaries, for whom addressing immediate, concrete needs is self-evident. Their intuition and flexibility help them in both crisis situations and daily routine to be of service to the present moment. In short, women have an inherent talent for leadership. You can see this, according to H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of IAHV, when in peaceful times you put several women together: immediately there is work for conflict resolution practitioners!

Also from Belgium the conference was attended by some special women. Sister Jeanne Devos spoke about her work of 25-years in India to give domestic workers rights and dignity: “It is a mystery why in the Indian culture today there is so much reverence for an airhostess, but no respect at all for domestic workers, while they are doing the same work after all? The only difference is that one works in a plane and the other in a house.” She left a strong impression through her inspiration and her perseverance, which have made a big difference for millions of women and children in India. Katrien Beeckman, working for the Red Cross in Geneva, shared some keys for successful leadership, such as transparency and honesty, belongingness, a spiritual way of living and a long-term vision. Special Guest at the conference was Mrs. Hennicot-Schoepges, Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. She was deeply touched by the warm and authentic atmosphere, the strength of the women who were present and the intercultural experience “compared to which Europe stands nowhere”. In her speech she emphasized the role of music and culture to bring people together.

But maybe most special about the whole conference was the spirituality from which it was conceived and in which it was embedded. What else is spirituality if not dancing together from the heart, celebrating diversity in all colours of the rainbow, empathizing with the mother who lost her son in the fighting for the Taj Hotel in Mumbai and being touched by the compassion of the woman who survived, being inspired by the enthusiasm to make a difference in this world, or meditating together? Or like Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000, said about the questions she was asked why for God’s sake she would waste her time somewhere in an ashram, not even in the city but somewhere in the hills, for some women’s conference: “I am happy it is in this place, because spirituality is the basis of everything. If you are centered and peaceful in yourself, then you also have the strength to stand up against your boss.” This is also the vision of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: “Only through spirituality can holistic change be brought about, since spirituality touches on each and every aspect of life.”

The whole event was bursting with enthusiasm, energy and possibilities for women’s leadership.

A report by Dr. Katrien Hertog:

Imams and Rabbis from the USA, Europe and the Middle East, joined by Christians and other religious experts, came together for the third time to move forward on the road to peace in the Middle East. The Congress, under the patronage of UNESCO in Paris, reflected some of the common opportunities and challenges related to religions’ engagement for peacebuilding but also clearly highlighted the distinct added value of a spiritual approach to peacebuilding.

To start with, there were some clearly differing views on the role of religious leaders in peacebuilding, a question which relates to the interrelationship between religion, mysticism and politics. Some clerics were clearly afraid of too much politics. As one rabbi expressed it: “We didn’t come to talk about politics, but about peace.” Others were emphasizing that religious leaders should be concerned with changing the reality on the ground. It was pointed out several times that the peacebuilding potential of religious leaders and communities should reach politicians and decisionmakers. The political and diplomatic world share an overall secular bias, partly because religion is by many considered to be complex and divisive. But, as one rabbi pointed out: “If you don’t want religion to be the problem, you should not ignore it, which is an invitation to extremists, but you should make it part of the solution.” The view was widespread that political leaders had failed to bring peace to the region, partly because they ignored the religious factor. Therefore it was suggested that the new administration in the USA should not just involve secular leaders of both societies but also religious and spiritual leaders in its approach to peace in the Middle East.

Religious leaders were also called upon to take up their responsibility and make their voice heard among the public opinion so that political leaders would be supported to make the compromises which are necessary for peace. As one rabbi formulated it, religion should be able to provide “the psychological and spiritual glue” to hold the peace process together. Therefore it is important that the Congress really manages to reach out to the masses of believers, a challenge which is typical for these kind of inter-religious conferences. For example, it was suggested that Imams and rabbis, being preachers and teachers, should speak in each sermon 5 minutes on peace. The challenge is not only to reach the masses, but also the violent extremists in one’s own religious group. In this regard the great importance of intra-religious dialogue was emphasized and the ability of religious leaders to overcome the pressures against speaking out.

Another obstacle related not just to religious peacebuilding but to peace initiatives in general and one which was mentioned throughout the meetings, is the lack of attention in the media, which focuses all too eagerly on religions’ contribution to violence. One rabbi ironically suggested to organise a little fight with some blood at the end of meaningful peace initiatives in order to attract the press.

The Congress of Imams and Rabbis was also challenged by the call to include the important contribution of women to peace in society. For predominantly male religious institutions this requires of course a significant shift in mentality and practical organisation.

But through the meetings and the issues discussed, there was another voice present, which I would call the voice of spiritual peacebuilding. It can be heard in some of the words that were spoken, it can be felt in the company of certain people and it can be seen in certain behaviour. For example, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who was invited to give one of the keynote speeches, shared his vision of a one world family, an ancient idea that goes back thousands of years, in which we will all feel our connectedness and not just tolerate, but celebrate our differences. He advocates a shift in identities so that we identify ourselves in the first place as human beings in this bigger picture of creation, sharing the same universal human values, and only then with a certain nationality or religion, instead of the other way around which creates so much problems. A journey from the head to the heart has to happen. This journey has to reach every corner of the world, because as long as some fanatics remain, there will be no peace. Practically he proposes concrete training programs to manage stress, release frustrations and channel energy towards positive contributions to society.

A similar view was expressed by Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal and of the Islamic Conference, who broadened the vision of the religious leaders to the level of global citizenship and planetary consciousness. Putting forward a challenging vision for the future, he said that wars belong to prehistory and that we therefore have not yet begun history as such. He also emphasized the importance of in-depth peacebuilding, such as developing deep interpersonal relationships and kindling peace in the hearts of men, like it is reflected in the UNESCO definition which states that war starts in the minds of men and should therefore be prevented in the minds of men. Also Rosa Guerreiro, representative of UNESCO for Interreligious Dialogue, stressed the attention which is needed for inner reflection on one’s own mind and attitude and on the question what actually hinders one to approach the other. The need for introspection was also emphasized by one rabbi, who, however, also pointed out the difficulties for a traumatized people to be self-critical. Another Jewish representative believes this introspection is possible and said the true barriers are found in our own minds. “If we can destroy our own fears, we can easily destroy the cement wall”, he argued. For him, the peace process is clearly a spiritual process throughout and not just spiritual when it comes to the final pictures. One imam said that, peace coming from the heart, we actually have to take the responsibility to attain that inner peace.

These broader visions and deeper connections are the life-giving juice of this interreligious gathering for peace and of the work for transformation on a deeper level. If not for that, would an Orthodox rabbi discuss issues of the heart with his “enemy” imam from Iran till the early morning hours?

To conclude, one could say that the Congress of Imams and Rabbis has a great potential. Religion is challenged and placed in its responsible position for peace, in a way which is not reactive but pro-active. It is also significant that from now on also Christians and women will be included in the initiatives. The realization of religions’ potential for peace depends however to a large extent on their inner dynamics. One rabbi issued a very strong and clear call: “Let us work for peace, or let us move from this path so that we are not longer a hurdle on the path to peace. Let us repent that we have been an obstacle to peace, but let us commit that we will now pave the way.”

I wonder whether the most significant inner transformation of religions towards peace would not be a shift from religious peacebuilding to spiritual peacebuilding, where the latter is understood as engagement for peace which can be embedded in a religious tradition but is not confined to it and therefore more universal. Then religious leaders can reach out to the depths of the hearts and minds of all people, independent of whether they belong to another religion, no religion, or whether they adhere to a violent interpretation of one’s own religion. Would that not be the unique added value of religions for peacebuilding?

Rabbis and Imams for Peace

This is a wonderful video about yet another way that people without any training in conflict resolution or diplomacy can become a part of the solution rather than part of the problem when it comes to global conflicts. I call them citizen diplomats, and I think they represent the infinite and creative ways that individuals can choose to move beyond the boundaries of group hatreds and fears.

A Slim Peace

Starting after the Muslim Ramadan and the Jewish New Year, group of Palestinian and Israeli women will be meeting face to face in Jerusalem. Not for political reasons, not to cast blame on who’s right or wrong in the Middle East conflict – these women will be focusing on their waistline, and sharing a simple and common desire to lose weight.

“A Slim Peace” is a group founded in 2006 by Yael Luttwak, a 36-year-old American-Israeli filmmaker who grew up in Washington D.C. Struggling with her own weight issues in Israel, she rounded up a group of 14 Israeli and Palestinian women to document their shared experiences, as they met in Jerusalem over a six week period.While Weight Watchers in Israel was one of the first Weight Watchers branches to set up shop outside the U.S., Palestinian women only recently – thanks to American TV – have started grappling with the importance of healthy eating and dieting.

Learning about the ‘enemy’

Luttwak’s documentary – screened in New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival and around the world – exposes in a humorous way, the surprising connections these Israeli and Palestinian women make while learning about exercise, better nutrition, and the benefits of a homegrown Mediterranean diet. Some women even discovered that they had more in common with the “enemy” than they did with their own neighbors.

“Before, the only Israelis I knew were soldiers at checkpoints, I thought they were all brutal,” Palestinian student Enas Smoom told news service Reuters: “But in the group, we forget we are Israelis and Palestinians – we are just women talking about nutrition.”