Tag: Peace Building
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Beyond the Binary in Peacebuilding: Unpacking UNOCT’s Gender Mainstreaming Framework under the iDove Program
As a peace activist operating within high-risk, extremist environments, I have witnessed firsthand how radical groups manipulate identity to fuel violence. To counter this effectively, our local grassroots efforts must be backed by rigorous, global structural accountability. Recently, through the iDove Program, I had the privilege of attending an eye-opening interactive session led by the…
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The Master Key to Peace: My Journey from Fear to the Multan Arts Council
There was a time in my life, while studying at MNS University, when the world felt incredibly heavy. In Pakistan, we were living through a period of constant fear. As a Shia, the news was filled with reports of targetings and blasts. Every time I stepped out, I had a psychological trauma that stayed with…
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The Mystery of the “New” Mahdi
Recently, I saw a sticker at a castle in Switzerland and some TikTok videos that confused me. They talked about a new religion called the “Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light” and a leader named Aba Al-Sadiq (Abdullah Hashem). Since I am from a background where the name “Ahmadi” usually refers to the Pakistani community,…
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The Brain and the Search for Peace
I have often wondered why humans need religion. After my HIV diagnosis, I found myself moving away from traditional beliefs and leaning more toward science. Science gave me the tools to survive and the data to understand my body. But I also realized that the human brain seems to have a built-in need for something…
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Finding the “Mahdi” on a Castle Wall: A Journey from Fear to Science
I was visiting the Valère castle recently, just looking for some history and peace. But as I was reading the information boards, I saw a sticker that stopped me in my tracks. It had a man with a beard, a black background, and a QR code. Underneath, it said in French: “What was promised to…
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Building Bridges from the Ground Up: Joining the Global Muslim-Jewish Youth Unity Project
I am thrilled to announce my involvement as a team member in a truly groundbreaking initiative: the GLOBAL MUSLIM-JEWISH YOUTH UNITY PROJECT. This project, which officially launched on October 7, 2025, is not just another non-profit; it is a declaration of courage and a testament to the power of people over politics. The Impossible Has…
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De la discrimination au dialogue : le parcours d’un bâtisseur de paix au Pakistan
Ali Raza Khan, bâtisseur de paix engagé originaire de Multan, au Pakistan, œuvre depuis 2015 pour lutter contre la violence sectaire et la discrimination qui touchent son pays depuis des décennies. Issu de la communauté musulmane chiite, Ali a transformé ses expériences personnelles en une force motrice pour le changement, formant des milliers de jeunes…
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امتیاز سے مکالمے تک: پاکستان میں ایک امن ساز کا سفر
امتیاز سے مکالمے تک: پاکستان میں ایک امن ساز کا سفر علی رضا خان، جو کہ ملتان، پاکستان سے تعلق رکھنے والے ایک پرعزم امن ساز ہیں، ۲۰۱۵ سے فرقہ وارانہ تشدد اور امتیازی سلوک کے خلاف کام کر رہے ہیں، جو کئی دہائیوں سے ان کے ملک کو متاثر کر رہا ہے۔ شیعہ مسلم…
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From Discrimination to Dialogue: A Peace-Builder’s Journey in Pakistan
Ali Raza Khan, a dedicated peace-builder from Multan, Pakistan, has been working since 2015 to combat the sectarian violence and discrimination that has plagued his country for decades. Drawing from his personal experiences as a member of the Shia Muslim community, Ali has channeled his struggles into a powerful force for change, training thousands of…
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Peace is Not Just Between People—It is Also With Our Planet
On February 25, 2023, I was invited as a guest speaker to a youth gathering at Kohna Qasim Bagh. The goal was to discuss interfaith harmony and how young people can help build peace and prevent violent extremism (CVE/PVE). We had a very deep and meaningful session about how our generation can stop the cycle…