Tahir Wadood Malik
Tahir lost his wife when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the UN World Food Program office in Islamabad, Pakistan in October 2009. As he sought to cope with the shock of his wife's death, Tahir - a retired Major from the Pakistani Army - began to connect and empathize with survivors of terrorist attacks at a more personal level. In 2009 he co-founded the Global Survivors Network in Amman Jordan, which seeks to connect those who have lost loved ones in terrorist attacks globally. Tahir has become a critic of the "culture of silence" surrounding terrorism and grieving for loved ones in Pakistan; he seeks to reveal how the scourge has affected Pakistan and its people, and help survivors recover from the trauma of the loss. He is in the process of setting up the Pakistan Terrorism Survivors Network to bring together victims and survivors of violent extremism and terrorists attacks. He also participates in the Peace and Collaborative Development Network.
A Pakistani ponders the legacy of 9/11
Islamabad, Pakistan – The 11th of September 2001 was a hectic day at work for me in Islamabad. Just back from a holiday in the United States, I was catching up on work when my son called to give me the news that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center in New York. I [...]
Reflections on the Summit Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) Dublin, Ireland June 26 – 29, 2011
It took SAVE for me to understand the depth of Nelson Mandela’s words “Honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, pure generosity, absence of vanity, readiness to serve others – qualities which are within easy reach of every soul – are the foundations of one’s spiritual life. Development in matters of this nature is inconceivable without introspection, without knowing yourself, your weaknesses and mistakes.” (Conversations with Myself)
Sammy Rangel “FOURBEARS: Myths of Forgiveness”
FourBears: The Myth of Forgiveness: isn't a simple memoir; it is a graphically illustrated guide from tortured child, to remorseless beast, to healing and change. This book is about helping others find their way out of their history and into the here and now. Proof that what once held you down can now hold you up. After the book reflects on a horrific upbringing it looks to offer key and ground breaking insights of the inner workings of the mind of a victim and later a perpetrator of hate and violence. Service providers working in treatment centers and institutional settings would greatly benefit from this work. Anyone facing issues with forgiveness and change might find a process toward healing and recovery.
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