IARP
MPT

Reconciliation Report

Issue 6.1, March 2014
Edited by Luke Wilcox
In This Issue
About IARP and MPT
The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and our partner in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), support reconciliation between the people of Iraq and America. Visit reconciliationproject.org to learn more.

 

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From the Start of a Sister City Relationship to Mayor of Minneapolis - Congrats Betsy Hodges!
Kathy McKay, Executive Director, IARP
Sami Rasouli, Executive Director, MPT 

 

Kathy McKay Sami Rasouli

On a warm summer day in 2008 a handful of citizens were ushered into the small meeting room of Minneapolis City Council Member, Betsy Hodges. On the agenda was discussion of a possible Sister City relationship with Najaf, Iraq. Marie Braun, Kate Fournier, Sami Rasouli, Professor Sara Axtell and myself were included in the group.

 

Through background provided by Lauren Maker of the City Coordinator's office, Councilperson Hodges was prepared. She said "Yes, I think this is a good idea. I will sponsor this resolution." In the summer of 2009 the Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed the resolution declaring Minneapolis' intent to enter into its 10th Sister City relationship. The corresponding affirmation was received from Najaf Province and so it was!

 

Our friends in Najaf, who know Mayor Hodges, 
send their congratulations.

Each year we have celebrated the connection between Minneapolis and Najaf  with visitors, art shows and academic exchanges. In November of 2013 we were elated to celebrate with Ms. Hodges her election to be Mayor of the City of Minneapolis. As a consistent enthusiast of our Sister City relationship we look forward to even more celebrations and visits that will include Mayor Hodges.

 

To learn more about IARP, read the articles below and visit our website.

 

Sincerely,  

 

Kathy McKay Signature

Kathleen McKay

Executive Director, IARP

kathy@reconciliationproject.org

952-545-9981

 

Sami Rasouli

Executive Director, MPT

sami.rasouli@gmail.com

SCReportLands of Water
Presented by the Iraqi & American Reconciliation Project, Lands of Water was a visual art exhibit on display in Minneapolis this winter. The exhibit addressed the ways water is used by both American and Iraqi artists as an artistic metaphor for place, culture, environment and other ideas and sentiments.

 

The exhibit was a departure from IARP's previous exhibits, which focused on war as a dominant theme. The hope with Lands of Water was that IARP would make visual the ways in which connection to our environments and being a part of the human experience unites us with our Sister City of Najaf, Iraq, focusing on similarities rather than differences.

 

The use of water as a literal and/or metaphorical symbol for life created a space for a dialogue of understanding between Minneapolis and Najaf. Lands of Water opened at the City Hall Rotunda in downtown Minneapolis on December 12, 2013 and ran through January 16th, 2014. The exhibit featured works by eleven artists from both Minnesota and Iraq. For the opening reception, IARP organized an evening of storytelling that helped to connect the artistic pieces on display to narrative stories of life lived by rivers and marshes.

 

You are invited to view photos from Lands of Water via the link below and to continue the conversation about water and peace: landsofwater.com/.

 

Lands of Water Display
"Lilies in My Back Yard," Adnan Shati
"June 29," Sara Sampedra
"River Styx," Rachel Orman

 

Click here to view information about IARP's previous art exhibits and arts-related work. 

Mar20Join IARP on March 20 for 

"Lonely Soldiers: Women at War in Iraq"

March 16-April 6, 2014, The History Theater, St. Paul, MN

 

The stories of soldiers on the front lines of American's most recent wars are unlike any that came before - especially for women in uniform. This provocative and timely play by award-winning author Helen Benedict, is based on interviews with soldiers stationed on the front lines in Iraq; these are the real words of eight battle-tested women warriors recounting their experiences on battlefield and in the barracks, and their personal journeys toward recovery and justice. Honest, heartfelt, and current, this play directed by Austene Van, opens the door for conversations about war, gender, and the challenges facing the next generation of American soldiers.

 

Enjoyed most by ages 16+

 

IARP Show Night: March 20

Join us for the 8:00 p.m. show at the History Theater on Thursday, March 20 and stay to meet all of the actors! Reserve your discounted tickets for this IARP night for just $22 by emailing info@reconciliationproject.org or calling 952-545-9981.

 

For more information, visit http://www.historytheatre.com/2013-2014/lonely-soldiers.

NABWelcome to Adam and Eleanor!
By Elise Schebler Roberts 

 

IARP is excited to welcome Adam Ben Salem to our team for 2014! He brings his talent and interest in furthering our mission of peace-building. Adam is finishing his degree in Peace and Justice Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He is originally from the Middle East, and has been an exchange student in Colorado. When he completes his studies he'd like return to the Middle East to serve in a peace making role. As a native Arabic speaker, Adam is working with us on the Letters For Peace program and outreach with friends in Iraq.

 

Eleanor Trenary is volunteering to assist with developing guidelines for hosting visiting delegates. She recently graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Classics and Middle Eastern Studies, including coursework in Arabic. Eleanor is serving as host family liaison for our Sister City Program with Najaf.

SCReportIraqi Voices Project

In 2014, IARP is partnering with filmmaker Nathan Fisher on a collaborative mentorship program called Iraqi Voices that gives Iraqis in Minnesota support and training to produce high �quality documentary video shorts.  Iraqi Voices will result in 7 short documentaries, which will premiere at the Mizna Twin Cities Arab Film Festival in October.

 

Jameela   

Iraqi Voices is still accepting applicants! Interested Iraqis based in the Twin Cities metro area should contact nate@reconciliationproject.org for more information. No filmmaking experience is necessary, but participants need to be able to devote a few hours a week during the spring and summer to filmmaking and have Sunday evenings free. Interpreters will be provided.

 

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

NajafNews from Iraq: The State of Women's Rights

Saturday, March 8th was International Women's Day. Suaad Allami is an attorney in Baghdad and a recipient of the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. Secretary of State. She 
has presented at several IARP events and 
spent significant time in the United States, including as a Humphrey Fellow at the University of Minnesota. Below is an excerpt from her recent report on the current status of women's rights in Iraq. To read the full article on CNN iReport, click here.

 

"The last US troops left Iraq December 18, 2011, leaving 4,485 military dead, billions spent and democratic ideals floated including uncountable women's rights initiatives. There have been modest gains for Iraqi women but there is little actual progress and even less protection for women despite the glossy legislative protections spurred by the US State Department. More powerful and pervasive cultural and religious forces continue to contravene women's equality, neuter women's rights as a toothless slogan, and dwarf the Rule of Law mindset we tried hard to instill..."

Thank You Donors!

IARP would like to thank our donors for their sustained commitment to reconciliation!
  
Al Maghferah Elementary
You can join these individuals in sustaining reconciliation through a monthly contribution or a one-time contribution to IARP. Your ongoing support will help provide clean water to children in Iraq, bring Iraqi art and culture to the United States, and build friendship and respect between Iraqis and Americans. 

 

If you choose to give monthly, the amount you specify will be automatically deducted from your bank account every month, and you can stop the monthly payments at any time.

About IARP

IARP and our partner in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), support reconciliation between the people of Iraq and America. We create bridges of communication, understanding and support between Americans and Iraqis through the arts, education, cultural and professional exchange, support for peacemakers in Iraq, and water and sanitation projects. We are based in the Sister Cities of Minneapolis, USA and Najaf, Iraq. 

 

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http://reconciliationproject.org

 

Please consider making a donation. We depend on the support of individuals to make our work possible.

 

Donations can also be sent to IARP at the below address. Please make checks out to IARP and mail to:

IARP
416 E. Hennepin Ave, Suite 116
Minneapolis, MN 55414