Peace Heroes
Interviews
Peace Heroes: Najlaa El Sheikh Helps Syrian Women Refugees Become Business Owners
“I often dream the jasmine returns to Syria to decorate and perfume our streets.”
As the Syrian regime rained barrel bombs on her hometown in Syria, Najlaa and her family were forced to flee to Turkey where she established the first organization led by a Syrian woman to help other women refugees with literacy, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support.
Peace Hero Najlaa El Sheikh speaks to ICAN about her journey, her work, and her dreams.
Peace Heroes: Muna Luqman and the Role of Women in War-Stricken Yemen
We spoke to Yemeni peace activist Muna Luqman, co-founder of the Women Solidarity Network and member of the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL), about the war in Yemen, its devastating ramifications, and about the strength of Yemeni women in the face of this destruction.
Peace Heroes: Indonesia’s Mira Kusumarini Shows How Reintegrating Ex-extremists is Done
Mira Kusumarini talks to ICAN about C-SAVE’s efforts to alter the lives of returnees and prepare their communities to accept them.
Peace Heroes: Why Nancy Yammout Met with Extremists in Lebanese Prisons
Nancy Yammout speaks to ICAN about Rescue Me’s efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners found guilty of terrorism —and how, over nine years, they’ve engaged with some 680 prisoners, and been pivotal in blocking their re-recruitment into terror groups.
Peace Heroes: Deeyah Khan is Deconstructing Extremism with Documentary Film
Renowned documentary filmmaker Deeya Khan is recognized as a leader in the entertainment industry and on the human rights and peace-building scene. She spoke to us about her work, her vision and what she’s learned about extremism by confronting it face-to-face.
Peace Heroes: How Nigerian Psychologist Fatima Akilu Rehabilitates Extremist Societies
Dr. Fatima Akilu spoke to ICAN’s Aya Nader about how extremism affects women in her country, discussed rehabilitation and reintegration of extremists, and shared what motivates her to keep the fight for peace ignited.
Rodolfo Domínguez Márquez , Fights Femicide with Accountability in Mexico
Let’s celebrate the feminist men who fight for women, Rodolfo Domiguez Marquiz courageously fights Femicide with Accountability in Mexico
Peace Hero: Mobina Jaffer, The Canadian Senator Who has been Championing Women in Peace and Security for Years
On International Women’s Day, ICAN’s Peace Heroes series honors Senator Mobina Jaffer, whose life and career capture the spirit and essence of the day. We spoke to her about her experiences as a female envoy and mediator and her persistent struggle to ensure women’s participation in peacemaking and security issues.
How Hamsatu Allamin Changed Boko Haram to Boko Halal in Nigeria
How Hamsatu Allamin Changed Boko Haram to Boko Halal
Ahlem Nasraoui Fights Terrorism in Tunisia with Entrepreneurship
Ahlem Nasraoui Fights Terrorism in Tunisia with Entrepreneurship
Pakistani Activist Mossarat Qadeem Responds to Donald Trump
We spoke to Mossarat Qadeem, Executive Director of PAIMAN Trust, about Trump’s threat to cut financial aid from Pakistan, and about her own work.
Faiza Dhocob is Fighting Terror in Somalia in the Face of Destruction
Faiza Dhocob is Fighting Terror in Somalia in the Face of Destruction
Sureya Roble is Bringing Women to the Table to Fight Extremism in Kenya
Originally published as part of the Peace Heroes series on Ms Magazine Photos of dark skinned men, sometimes even boys, in military uniform holding big guns repeatedly emerge in the media. It is a sad fact, but communities in Kenya have been radicalized. The...
How Visaka Dharmadasa’s Tragedy Led to a Rise in Sri Lankan Peace Activism
Visaka Dharmadasa led a delegation of mothers of missing servicemen into the jungles to meet with the guerillas who were responsible for their sons’ fate. She talked to us about her experience walking into the lion’s den—literally.
Bushra Qadeem Hyder on Fighting Extremism with Education in Pakistan
Bushra Qadeem Hyder, a pioneer in education, speaks of her journey of triumphs and challenges bringing up the next generation in a country saturated in conflict.
Ghada Rifai on Building a Better Future for Syria
In the midst of war, an ever-expanding network of dedicated Syrians have been working to heal the torn society. At the center is Ghada Rifai, a trained architect who has built a human network rooted in the values of peace, diversity and non-violence.
Lucy Talgieh is Promoting a More Peaceful Homeland in Palestine
Lucy Talgieh, a newly-elected municipal representative in Bethlehem, Palestine talks about women’s rights, eradicating extremism and promoting a more peaceful homeland.
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini Struggles to Ensure Women Peacebuilders are Present in Peace Negotiations
Born in Iran and a refugee in the UK by the age of 11, Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini has been a leading international advocate and peace strategist for 20 years.