Video by Adam Savit, Center for Security Policy
You are cordially invited to a lecture on the topic of
Salafist Movements Threaten World Cultural Heritage
with
Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi
President
The World Organization for Resource Development and Education (WORDE)
Monday, February 4
4:30 PM
The Institute of World Politics
1521 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Parking map
This event is sponsored by IWP’s Center for Culture and Security.
Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi, JD is the President of the World Organization for Resource Development and Education (WORDE). WORDE’s report “A Community-Based Approach to Countering Radicalization: A Partnership for America” is one of the first by a Muslim organization to address the evolving threat of homegrown radicalization. She has also established the International Cultural Center (ICC) which engages families in interfaith social action and community building initiatives where people from all traditions can converge to promote principles of peace, social harmony and pluralism. Also, as the Co-Chair of the first-ever all-female Islamic Law Council, she worked with other influential Muslim women to re-examine the current standing of Islamic jurisprudence on a wide variety of issues.
For the past two years, Dr. Mirahmadi has led several innovative programs to explore counter-extremism initiatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 2011 she has co-sponsored “The Project for Islamic Cooperation for a Peaceful Future in Afghanistan,” an initiative that has networked over 200 Afghan community leaders, social activists, and former Taliban commanders with internationally renowned moderate religious scholars. Dr. Mirahmadi is also the co-author of a ground-breaking study based on field interviews in over 35 cities and villages across Pakistan to examine initiatives led by traditional Muslim networks to decrease sectarian and communal violence and promote peace-building. The WORDE Report, “Pakistan’s Civil Society: Alternative Channels to Countering Extremism” and its supplementary 275 page directory of civil society organizations is the first study of this magnitude and will be replicated in Afghanistan between 2012-2014.
An authority in the field for almost two decades, Dr. Mirahmadi has briefed numerous policymakers both in the US and abroad, and has presented at conferences organized by the US Department of Defense, US Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Fusion Center, the National Counter-Terrorism Center, and the Director of National Intelligence. She currently serves on the LAPD’s Community Police Advisory Board, and the Director of National Intelligence’s Heritage Council. Given her expertise, she received a political appointment in 2004 to the US Embassy of Afghanistan as Senior Advisor for Civil Society Infrastructure.