"Attending the ten-day training gave me a new way of looking at the world. I feel I no longer react harshly toward my students . . . there would be peace in Pakistan if there was a way to have all madrasa administrators attend the workshop."
- Madrasa Administrator

For the past four years, ICRD has been conducting a unique initiative to secure a better future for the children of Pakistan and to enhance global security in a meaningful way. Together with partnering Pakistani religious and civic organizations, ICRD is helping teachers of Pakistan’s madrasas (Islamic religious schools) to provide a better education and improved moral guidance for their students by conducting teacher-training workshops that:

+ Encourage expansion of the madrasa curriculums to include the scientific and social disciplines, with a special emphasis on religious tolerance and human rights (particularly women’s rights),

+ Encourage the adoption of pedagogical techniques that can promote critical thinking skills among the students,

+ Convey conflict resolution and dialogue facilitation skills, and

+ Equip newly-trained teachers with the skills to train other previously uninvolved madrasa leaders in these same areas.

By providing madrasa leaders the opportunity to discuss and reflect on Islamic principles with leaders of other sects, often for the first time in their lives, this program is fostering peaceful coexistence among these diverse groups. It is also encouraging greater adherence to the principles of tolerance and human rights in Islam, with an emphasis on how these values were successfully upheld in past Islamic civilizations.

"I felt all the anger and rage I have carried for so many years about the Americans washed away from my being . . . the ten days spent on learning and in reflection helped me put the pieces together to reach out in peace instead of constantly burning with anger."
-Madrasa Administrator