Join us for the Fellowship of Reconciliation’s monthly Gathering Voice event, where we will feature a compelling Zoom interview with two remarkable individuals: Diana Oestreich and Iskander Abbasi.
Diana Oestreich: As a combat medic in the Army National Guard, Diana Oestreich’s journey is one of extraordinary courage and profound moral challenge. Enlisting with a sense of duty and honor inspired by her parents, Diana’s service in Iraq confronted her with a harrowing command: to run over an Iraqi child to keep her convoy moving and protect her fellow soldiers. This heart-wrenching moment put her at a crossroads between her faith’s call to love her enemies and her country’s command to kill. In a powerful act of defiance, Diana chose to wage peace in the midst of war, embracing her role as a peacemaker and forming a transformative bond with an Iraqi family. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibility of peace even in the most challenging circumstances.
Iskander Abbasi: A scholar of race, religion, and resistance, Iskander Abbasi brings a rich perspective to our discussion. His work spans Islamic Liberation Theology, Decolonial Theory, Islamophobia Studies, and Environmental Justice and Ethics. For the past fifteen years, he has been actively involved in interfaith Palestine solidarity movements in the USA and South Africa. Iskander’s insights will deepen our understanding of the intersections between faith, justice, and resistance in contemporary struggles for peace and equity. This Gathering Voice event promises to be an enlightening and inspiring experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from two individuals whose lives and work embody the pursuit of peace and justice in our world.
