Berghof Foundation: 50 years of conflict transformation

Interview
Hanadi
Sheikh Najib
Preacher and
Journalist
Positive change
through working
with Imams
What is your background and how did you end up
doing peacebuilding work?
My main purpose is to spread a message
of acceptance of varying perspectives. For me, the
concept of peace stems from Islam itself. Being
a media specialist with an Islamic background, I
focus on delivering the peaceful message of Islam
and empowering youth with the skills to establish a
society based on peace and understanding. I began
my career as editor-in-chief of the magazine ‘Ghadi-
but it has been essentially through my work ‏,’يدغ
with the Berghof Foundation that I have been able to
develop my peacebuilding work.
Looking at the situation today, what do you personally
take away from this work?
Since 2015, my work with Berghof has
opened many new doors. There are a lot of people I
wouldn’t have met had it not been for Berghof and
my work with the organisation. On a personal level,
I have become more accepting and understanding
of differences in opinion within the Sunni sect
itself, and across different sects. I have gained the
patience necessary to work towards finding common
ground and the convergence of opinions. I hope I can
continue working on these initiatives and take them
to different Lebanese regions next.
Can you tell us more about your work with Berghof?
I started working with Berghof in 2015 when I
felt it was my duty to join local projects that promote
dialogue and a moderate religious discourse. In
a conference at Dar al-Fatwa, the official Islamic
institution in Lebanon and Berghof’s partner from
2015 until 2018, I was the only woman speaker among
traditional male political figures. This was a pivotal
moment both for me and indeed for the religious
institution, proving that women can and should play
an active role within it. My experience with Dar al-
Fatwa was not without its difficulties and challenges,
of course — it is a very conservative institution. In
addition, I participated in a dialogue facilitation and
mediation training course held by Berghof, which
enabled me to conduct a training programme for
prominent religious figures in various Lebanese
regions, including a Media and Communication
Training Programme for Imams. I hope to continue
this initiative by further equipping promising figures
with the skills they need to effect positive change
using their public platform.
What was the greatest challenge or difficulty
you encountered?
Given the current Lebanese situation, as
well as the constraints due to COVID-19, one of the
greatest challenges has been to continue working
on our projects. It was also exceedingly difficult to
clarify to the stakeholders from different religious
backgrounds that their values and Berghof’s values
are one and the same, and that their work with the
organisation is an equal partnership.
What are your biggest hopes and fears for the
situation in your country?
My source of hope and inspiration comes
from anyone who perseveres and continues to work
in spite of the circumstances. I have met countless
inspiring individuals, and it is their passion and
dedication that keep me going and give me the
strength to continue. The most dangerous thing is for
people to focus on personal gain. I believe that one
should always maintain a balance between working
towards your interests and your set of beliefs, while
taking a step towards others.
What would you like people who don’t know your
context to understand?
My message is a message of peace. While
the circumstances or the means may vary, my
message is consistent and serves as a base for all
my work. While working with Berghof, I was never
asked to change my opinion or adopt new ideals,
but to share my own, unique experience. I was given
absolute freedom to express my own opinion. I want
to thank Berghof for expanding my horizons and
equipping me with the necessary skills.
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