"اليد الواحدة ما تصفق"
One hand cannot clap alone
— Omani Proverb
Turquoise has always felt like home. When I was in elementary school, they named our buses after colors. I had always felt proud to ride the "turquoise" bus home, the syllables pronounced conscientiously with my always-inquisitive tongue. Years later, as I flew over the turquoise waves of the Persian Gulf en route to Muscat, Oman, I couldn't help but think of home, despite being thousands of miles away.
The weather in Muscat was optimistically balmy in early October, and the scents of mountains, dates, and incense reminded me of childhood visits to Pakistan. There’ is something grounding about recognizing the echoes of home in unexpected places. But perhaps even more grounding was the sense of community I found there — among women who carry the weight of peace on their shoulders and whose work embodies both resilience and hope.
I was visiting for a work trip on behalf of a joint project by the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). ICRD and USIP have been collaborating since 2018 to research and highlight the work of female faith negotiators and mediators in regions such as Kenya, Nigeria, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Northern Ireland, and Colombia, resulting in several case studies, curriculum development, and training programs.
This initiative's main goals were to strengthen the role of women of faith negotiators on the front lines of violent conflict and to develop a specialized training program that supports female faith peacemakers and the organizations that uplift them. By examining the factors that make women’s engagement with conflict and extremist actors effective, the program aimed to amplify their successes and contribute to peace in their communities and countries. The ultimate hope was that the specialized training program would focus on negotiation and mediation skills, include peer-to-peer mentorship, and create a framework that both inspires and equips future generations of peacebuilders.
The time I spent with the women in Muscat was priceless. Through training exercises, we shared stories, laughed, and learned from one another. Their experiences were humbling — each story a testament to resilience and strength. Many ongoing human rights and women-led initiatives still trace their motivation to the Arab Spring. I had studied the movement in my international relations classes in America, but hearing firsthand how it left such a long-lasting impact on the Arab region was surreal. Their reflections made me deeply aware of my own privilege and the responsibility I carry to utilize that privilege for collective good.
Driving through Oman mirrored the spirit of the project itself; a breathtaking blend of traditional and modern. Looming mountains framed the roads while crumbling ruins whispered stories of the past. The whitewashed houses sparkled under the sun, and the ocean stretched endlessly, its waves glittering like sapphire gems. The juxtaposition of history and present felt symbolic of the work we were doing—bridging the wisdom of the past with the promise of a more peaceful future.
Most importantly, the program was intentionally inclusive, considering both religious and non-religious women, and recognized the diversity of approaches to conflict resolution. Its research and case studies addressed gaps in existing curriculum and training, ensuring that real-world insights inform the materials. The capacity-building modules we sketched out will continue to be piloted to foster collaboration, resilience, and empowerment among women in conflict zones.
This project truly expanded beyond capacity-building and conflict resolution—it was about honoring the courage, wisdom, and tenacity of women who dare to reshape their fractured worlds and forge the communities they want to see. For themselves, for their children, for their mothers, for their sisters, and everyone in between. Sitting in those rooms, surrounded by the stories and strength of the women in Muscat, I saw the power of solidarity in action. Brick by brick, trust by trust, peace is built.
Flying back home over twinkling turquoise waves, I couldn’t help but think of how these women, like the shade itself, embody both serenity and strength, carrying their communities forward toward peace. And what an honor to have been some little part of that.
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