The Mission

In the recent years there has been a worldwide trend of radicalization and an increase in tensions between religions. This leads, among other things, to conflict, discrimination and the exclusion of religious minorities. Mensen met een Missie works to strengthen interfaith relationships by facilitating dialogue between different communities. With Mission Santiago, our digital pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, we raise money for the programs of Mensen met een Missie. 

In Iraq we work together with young people. We inspire eachother to initiate positive change, and facilitate change from the bottom up. With a sustainable result. In the city of Kirkuk we train young people to discuss difficult topics amongst the different communities in the regions. Including the Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs. We help them understand the complex situation and conflicts in their country. We teach them how to support others in understanding the situation and we increase their self-confidence. Afterwards, these young people take over and organize these conversations themselves. Thus far we have given the first training courses to a group of Christian youths, but it is a desire to expand to other minorities. So that they too can bring communities together as moderators.

One of the participants that was able to participate in the Iraqi program of Mensen met een Missie is Rasha. Rasha is 36 years old and comes from a mixed family. Her mother is of Kurdish descent and her father is an Arab Shia. With this mixed background she is fully aware of what is being said about each other and she has experienced the consequences of political conflicts very closely. Her brother was recently murdered in the war against ISIS and within a month her father also died from stray explosives.

Rasha lives in an area that should have been safe, but is not. Conflict is the daily reality and her future is uncertain. The empty space that her father and her brother left in Rasha's life is indescribable. That is precisely why Rasha wants to work for peace. Her goal is a world in which there is no discrimination, a world in which different communities love and understand each other and allow each other a decent life.

During the sessions facilitated by Mensen met een Missie, Rasha learned about having an open conversation with people from different communities. During these conversations, she noticed, for example, that people still find it difficult to talk about the children of ISIS fighters. People are afraid that these children will become a threat. But what have these children done? In order to rebuild trust, it is vital to make these complex situations negotiable.

In schools, it is also important to enter into dialogue with teachers, students and parents. A child knows no difference between Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and Assyrians. Rasha is a Muslim woman and has a nine year old son. She is committed to sustainable change, not only for herself, but also for her son.

We must teach children to accept everyone regardless of religion or ethnicity. So that today's children don't have to feel sadness and emptiness as Rasha felt. So that there is at least a little hope for a better future. 

Help Rasha built a brighter future. Walk with us, stay active, contribute to dialogue and support the work of Mensen met een Missie. Will you contribute to projects that focus on Interreligious dialogue? Sign up now for the Virtual Camino. Because together we can achieve so much more!