The Art of Living began its work in Iraq in 2003 with a focus on bringing relief and peace to people affected by the war. Several teachers from around the world were sent to Iraq in the face of ongoing bombings to conduct trauma care workshops, provide relief materials where possible and create opportunities for rehabilitation.
Mawahib Al Shaibani is an international member of The Art of Living and Program Coordinator in Iraq. Realizing that her life’s work lay in humanitarian service, she became a teacher for the organization and began acting as a liaison for its community projects in the Middle East. She works with other NGOs, government agencies, ministries, and communities on programs for social and humanitarian causes. Mawahib has facilitated numerous workshops in schools, corporations and other institutions and co-ordiantes the Women’s Empowerment Projects including vocational training of Iraqi women in Baghdad and Karbala.
It is remarkable to note that in a land where women’s rights is a leading issue, where women in leading responsible roles are few, that the coordinator for all this relief work is a woman. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is my inspiration. Watching him work selflessly, tirelessly, enthusiastically, joyously - working towards making life a celebration on this planet - that is what inspires me to take on the challenges.”
