On January 23, 2023
Ahimsa Organization held the sixth session of the capacity-building training series in Al-Hasakah, as part of “Masar” Project, in collaboration with the Steps Center in Lebanon and under the supervision of trainers specialized in nonviolence and peaceful conflict transformation.
This session was dedicated to discussing the topic of accepting others — their beliefs and freedoms The discussion emerged after a debate among participants on the WhatsApp group regarding the death penalty, which sparked controversy due to differing perspectives.
The trainers guided the dialogue toward:
- The importance of respecting others and recognizing that we do not need to find identical versions of ourselves; differences should not create division but rather serve as opportunities for learning and growth.
- Emphasizing that accepting others means going beyond surface impressions and preconceived judgments to understand the deeper meaning behind words and actions.
The session became a gateway for participants to express their thoughts more freely and openly than in previous meetings. Many participants praised the impact of earlier trainings on developing their personalities and enhancing their ability to think nonviolently.
One participant shared:
“If I had heard similar ideas before attending these sessions, I would have certainly resorted to violence and refused to accept the situation. But after these sessions, I’ve started to reflect on the essence of what’s being said, to explore others’ reasons, and to distance myself from violence.”
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