“If any country’s citizens needed de-stressing, it would be those of Iraq. The Art of Living Foundation has a history of taking on tough tasks. It has operated similar de-stressing courses in Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, Gujarat and in New York after the 11 September attacks.” – BBC World News, January 14, 2004
The Humanitarian Crisis
The repercussions of two significant wars involving Iraq resulted in civil unrest, economic collapse, and infrastructure breakdown in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that millions of Iraqi citizens, including men, women, and children, required medical attention and psychological support. A survey indicated a prevalent reliance on medications for stress management.
“Iraqis are in a catch-22 situation. In any long-drawn conflict, the victim tends to turn into an oppressor and the oppressor becomes a victim. A broader vision and spiritual understanding alone can break this vicious cycle.”- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of The Art of Living.
In addition to addressing individual mental health challenges, extensive efforts were required to undertake the monumental task of national reconstruction.
In the wake of these devastating conflicts in Iraq, The Art of Living Foundation emerged as a significant player, leveraging its expertise in trauma relief and holistic care to aid Iraqi citizens.
The Art of Living’s Approach to Rebuilding Iraq
Since September 2003, The Art of Living has contributed to rebuilding war-torn Iraq; being one of the few non-governmental organizations operating in Baghdad today.
In cooperation with its sister organization, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), the foundation has helped thousands of Iraqi citizens with its trauma relief programs, holistic medical care, and women’s empowerment projects.
Gurudev’s Iraq peace initiative embarked on a two-pronged mission: furnishing techniques for stress relief and disaster management to address personal distress, and second, facilitating the restoration of lives through service-oriented initiatives.
The Art of Living’s approach included forging international collaborations among diverse faiths, using spirituality as a tool to promote non-violence, and empowering communities to foster enduring peace.
International Collaboration for Iraq’s Reconstruction
Recognizing the global significance of Iraq’s reconstruction, The Art of Living called for a multinational coalition of volunteers to support the rebuilding process.
Gurudev emphasized, “It is critical that the world community collaborate on the rebuilding of Iraq. This must be a worldwide effort to help the Iraqi people restore their country.”
By harnessing a diverse range of expertise and perspectives, this coalition sought to foster unity and cooperation on a global scale.
“The provision of aid through a multinational and multi-faith coalition will demonstrate that this is an opportunity to bring greater unity and cooperation to the world,” said Gurudev.
Gurudev aimed to assemble leaders representing the primary faiths in Iraq and sought their collaboration in aiding the distressed people of Iraq.
With this view of building collaborations to help Iraq, Gurudev went to the United States after a visit to Lebanon where he met with religious leaders and social activists to discuss the issue of rebuilding Iraq.
Spirituality: A powerful Approach to Healing
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasized the importance of spiritual understanding in breaking the cycle of violence, owning to the e complex dynamics of conflict.
“There are big powers who have big might, but they are not able to unite the hearts and mind of people. This work can be done only by a spiritual leader.” Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki after meeting Gurudev
Gurudev’s Iraq peace initiative sought to promote inner peace as a catalyst for societal harmony, garnering support from Iraqi leaders like Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.
Through its customized programs, The Art of Living has demonstrated the value of individual inner peace as a formidable instrument in conflict resolution, propagating the ethos of peace and non-violence among the Iraqi populace.
Transformative Contributions
Prison Programs: Changing Lives Behind Bars
At the invitation of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, The Art of Living spearheaded prison programs within Iraq’s correctional facilities.
This new initiative focused on training the Iraqi youth to combat violence through nonviolent methods and techniques. This effort aimed to give thousands of hardened prisoners a dream of a peaceful society. But it was not just a dream, it’s something that was practically realized.
Transforming Iraqi Youth: Shaping Future Leaders
In August 2007, the collaborative effort between The Art of Living and the Iraqi government resulted in 55 Iraqis undergoing a month-long training at its International Center in Bangalore, India.
The youth participated in The Art of Living’s innovative Youth Leadership Training Program. The program focuses on leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Participants also learn stress and trauma relief techniques through breathing, meditation and yoga.
This joint initiative came as a follow-up to a proposal made by Jasmin Mohammed Jafar, the Iraqi Minister for Sports and Youth, during Gurudev’s visit to the country in May 2007.
Empowering Iraqi Women: Fostering Independence
In 2005, The Art of Living established the Iraq Women’s Empowerment Program, with the aim of facilitating financial independence for Iraqi women. To date, more than 500 women have participated in vocational training programs focused on tailoring and computer literacy.
Additionally, in 2006, 43 people, predominantly women from Baghdad, Basra, Suleimani, and Karbala, received intensive training to become Art of Living teachers. The aim was to provide active local support to fellow Iraqis who were suffering.
Sustainable Community Development
The Art of Living Foundation is implementing its popular 5H Program (Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Values, Harmony in Diversity) in Iraq, empowering communities to rebuild and take responsibility for their own development.
The Art of Living also organized trauma relief workshops and training in Ayurveda. So far, 5,000 Iraqis have undergone these trainings.
Voices from Iraq
Despite the immense challenges facing Iraq, voices from within the country expressed hope and gratitude for the transformative impact of The Art of Living’s initiatives.
“The situation in Iraq is so bad that people do not know how to smile and here we see everybody smiling. We had no hope and we could only pray for some power to come and take us out of the situation. We think the Art of Living is that power.” Ramia Sagban from Baghdad
“We knew only death and despair. Now we can smile. This is the greatest gift that the Art of Living has given us.” -Shafiqur Rehman, a trauma-relief program participant
