Introducing myself and my journal: BBAD (British Born Angry Desi) Woman

About Me:
I was born with the travel bug, because of my nomadic parents who moved from Manchester, England to Karachi, Pakistan and back again while stopping at all the countries in between the two continents. I moved to Virginia Beach, USA when I was sixteen and then moved to Washington, D.C. to attend George Mason University. While in college I traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia on a scholarship to study the arts. I also traveled and lived in Sevilla, Spain for two months to study Spanish culture and language. I have traveled all over Europe, as well as, west Africa. Other recent places I have visited include the Caribbean Islands, Ireland, Guatemala, El Salvador and most states in the USA. I speak Spanish, Urdu, Punjabi and beginners Arabic. I love culinary treats, coffee, arts, social justice, activism and languages–which I am always tries to expand on when traveling!

I completed my M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in VA. I have previously worked as the Program Associate for Clergy Beyond Borders an organization that aims to build bridges between clergy of different faiths and train them to promote religious pluralism. I have also worked as the Campus Program Coordinator for the American Islamic Congress with a focus on creating a multi-cultural student campaign, Project Nur, in Washington DC and Boston, MA. I have also worked with the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution as a graduate research assistant focusing on development and religious conflicts. Through these important opportunities and experiences, I have expanded my networks of religious organizations and policy makers.

I have been published in the Wall Street Journal in an article I co-authored on the impact of Project Nur on Muslim students in college campuses across the East Coast. I have also presented my college research on Muslim women as peacemakers at the Salam Institute for Peace and Justice, Green Festival and the University of Massachusetts.
I currently work as the Director of Youth Programs at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA and as the Program Manager for the Interfaith Youth Action Group. I also consultant on youth activism with a focus on online social networking in Washington D.C In my spare time, I volunteer with a group of friends to host a monthly fundraising event at the Hillyer Art Space with Voices Organizing for International Change, Empowerment and Support (V.O.I.C.E.S) to raise funds for organizations supporting youth activism and empowerment globally.

My Passions:
traveling, youth activism, social justice, interfaith communication

My Vision for the Future:
To become a leader in interfaith activism.

My Areas of Expertise:
youth activism, religion and spirituality,