Mazhun Idris, of Nigeria, took "Peacebuilding Approaches to Violent Extremism" with Lisa Schirch at last summer's Summer Peacebuilding Institute. His participation was sponsored by the organization hosting his 1-year appointment, the Center for Islam and Religious Freedom in Washington D.C. ... read more about Atlas Fellow from Nigeria reviews SPI experience from Medium
Hero Anwar Brzw was born on May 25, 1971 in Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan, Iraq. She got her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1992 at Salahaddin University in Erbil, Iraq, and an MA in conflict transformation from CJP in 2009. She is the Deputy Country Director for REACH(Rehabilitation, Education and Community Health) in Iraq. ... read more about Hero Anwar Brzw MA ’09 remembers sanctions in Iraq from Counterpunch
...In my childhood in Pakistan, I was never taught that Islam advocates for violence and hatred against anyone. As I have been learning more about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself, I see how he was mistreated multiple times by the non-Muslims and never even responded back in the same way, but instead advised to be calm and humble in response. These real life examples set by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were revolutionary and are at the heart of our faith. So then, why have many Muslims adopted violent responses to issues like blasphemy, smashing the true spirit of Islam identifying its followers with violent public riots and extremism?... read more about CJP student Muhammad Akram on ‘Pakistan, Blasphemy and a Way Forward’ from Arc of the Universe
