Harmony
Unity. Peace. Togetherness.
How do we foster a world of harmony? How can we inculcate cohesion amidst chaos? In our search for harmony, we must first understand what is meant by harm.
As an expert on racial and religious hatred, I believe that in order to cultivate a harmonious society, human engagements and interactions are essential. Moreover, it is incredibly important to restore the voice of the voiceless; provide a platform to those most marginalised.
The key to harmony is not shutting down debate. It’s about curating constructive conversations that lead to fruitful outcomes. Remember: harmony doesn’t mean singing from the same hymn sheet. It’s not about diminishing differences, but accepting them. All the while being mindful that we don’t always agree, and that’s okay.
“You do not have to be me in order for us to fight alongside each other. I do not have to be you to recognize that our wars are the same. What we must do is commit ourselves to some future that can include each other and to work toward that future with the particular strengths of our individual identities. And in order for us to do this, we must allow each other our differences at the same time as we recognize our sameness.”
— Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches
Panel Events
I regularly host, present and chair public events with high-profile guests. Here are some forthcoming events that I am scheduled to host. If you would like to hire me as a host for an upcoming event, please get in touch!
November 2021. WOW Shameless Festival.
At the Women of the World- Shameless Festival of Activism Against Sexual Violence. It was so refreshing to discuss triggers and terminology surrounding sexual abuse. I spoke to the issue of gendered spiritual abuse in domestic settings.
October 2021. TRT World Forum.
‘How are we building trust within society? Is it through mitigating differences or cherishing and celebrating them?’
I took part in TRT World Forum last month for a panel discussion on Racism, Culture Wars, and the Polarisation of Global Politics.
August 2021. Gender violence: the unsaid truth.
I spoke on Gender Violence in and the diaspora at this event hosted by leading Pak newspaper, Daily Times.
May 2021
I took part in aa Facebook live event hosted by Firoze Alam, President of the Canada Bangladesh Social Justice Action Research Alliance. I discussed my #EndSpiritualAbuse campaign, the SAVE project and much more on what we can do to tackle this issue globally.
24 April 2021. Soft Power, Faith & Digital Diplomacy
I spoke on a panel with Pakistan’s Permanent Envoy to the UN at a Daily Times sponsored event on Pakistan’s regional and global aspirations, COVID-19’s impact on traditional diplomacy, importance of digital diplomacy and dynamics of soft power.
Cadbury Centre Women in Conversation series
Angela Saini in conversation
18 January 2021. I will be chairing the Cadbury Centre Women in Conversation series of webinars at the University of Birmingham. I am delighted to announce that my first guest will be acclaimed British Asian author and journalist, Angela Saini.
Broadcast Media Engagements
In my quest to attain social harmony, I try to reach wider audiences through broadcast and print media. Below are some appearances. For more, check out The SHIFT Youtube channel.
May 2021
I was a guest on BritishMuslimTV, discussing my #EndSpiritualAbuse campaign for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Edin programme.
April 2021
I was featured on The Big Ramadan Show Islam Channel , where I discussed a host of things, including my End Spiritual Abuse campaign for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Edin programme.
Radio Appearances
October 2021. BBC Muslim Reflections.
I offered my thoughts on Muslim Women in Leadership: how Muslim women are shaping the parameters of what leadership looks and feels like to them.
Christchurch Attack
16 March 2019. In the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attack, I appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today Show to discuss the rise in Islamophobia, normalisation of fascism within the mainstream public discourse. It was refreshing to have this discussion with the informed and measured voices of Nesrine Malik and Mishal Husain
Frightened of Each Other’s Shadows
10 August 2016. How do we manage prejudice, mistrust and fear of the 'other'? I was featured in this BBC Radio4 documentary to briefly talk about some of my research findings into the coping mechanisms people adopt to deal with stigmas stemming from negative stereotyping.
Print Media Pieces
Paths from the past: historians make sense of Brexit and our current political turmoil
30 March 2019. My short piece on the parallels between Weimar Antisemitism and Islamophobia in contemporary Britain was featured in The Guardian. The long read contains excerpts from some very esteemed scholars on the lessons we can learn from history.
Tony Blair’s new role fighting anti-Semitism - a kick in the teeth for Palestinians?
5 June 2015. Former prime minister has already been accused of ‘taking sides’ in his previous role as peace envoy. I discuss what his new role means for peace in the Middle East.
How will the Peshawar school attacks affect Pakistani politics?
17 December 2014. Big Question: Living in constant fear of terror attacks is an unfortunate reality for many Pakistanis, but they refuse to desensitise themselves from such atrocities.