Peacebuilding with Intentionality

“Do your little bit of good where you are, it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Desmond Tutu

War, violence, and the ideas that lead to both have been a crucial part of my life even before I was born. My immigrant parents fled Somalia’s civil war and have spent most of their lives seeking security and stability. 

I was born in Saudi Arabia at the height of the Gulf War. We lived in the Eastern Province, where the Battle of Khafji took place. This battle was the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War and took place two hours from our home! The late Saddam Husain, notorious for using biochemical weapons, was accused of launching chemical bombs at residential areas in Saudi Arabia. 

My parents tell me these horrific stories with a big smile on their faces. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re grateful it’s in the past and that they survived it, or if they are desensitized to violence, having survived so much trauma.

The first few weeks of my  life were charged with pure panic. My mother remembers keeping a gas mask nearby me at all times. My father duct taped the windows and doors so the chemicals wouldn’t seep through the cracks. My parents tell me these horrific stories with a big smile on their faces. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re grateful it’s in the past and that they survived it, or if they are desensitized to violence, having survived so much trauma.

Fast forward seven years. We moved to Damascus, Syria. I spent the majority of my formative years being forced to learn Ba’ath Party chants and pledging allegiance to the same political party that kept my parents fearful for their children’s lives in Saudi Arabia. 

My lived experience showed me first hand that violence begets violence. I’ve lost friends in the Syrian civil war. Some have been killed by the regime while others became soldiers of that same regime. I work for a peacebuilding organization because I believe there must be an alternative solution to war. Preventative measures can be taken to disrupt cycles of violence. 

At an early age I knew that war doesn’t start out of the blue. I would always get in trouble for not agreeing with my elders when they discussed the “enemy” during the 5pm news recap. I knew that war starts with division, an “us versus them” mentality. It starts with dehumanizing everyone who doesn’t look like us or worship like we do. 

As cliche as this may sound I wanted to be a part of the alternative: peacebuilding by intentionally getting to know the “other.” I wanted to be a part of rebuilding Aleppo’s buildings, reviving its burnt farms, or helping someone start their own business so they could become independent. Preemptive Love has done all of the above, and I knew I could make a change working alongside some of the most brilliant people I have ever met. 

I interned with Preemptive Love as an English instructor in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq for one summer. I worked with students at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and at a Syrian refugee camp. On an emotional level, it was one of the hardest summers of my life, but it was rewarding. The meaningful lessons I learned from my students will forever inform how I live.

I started as a full time staff member as a Gatherings growth officer in 2020. With the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Gatherings program became a virtual program, so I transitioned into a Community project manager role. I love that I get to work with many different people from different departments in this role.

Join Afnan and Preemptive Love in laying the building blocks of peace through intentional dialogue.