Sally Kader

Kader has been recognized for her distinguished contribution to global peace.[3] She has sought to increase awareness of pressing global issues such as human trafficking and much of her work has been committed towards building peace in the world. In pursuit of these goals, Kader has hosted numerous events, panel discussions, peace conferences, vigils, prayer services and peace marches including International Peace Conferences at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Annual UN International Day of Peace celebrations throughout the world and an International Peace Walk in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (December 19, 2005) among others. Through this work, Kader has strived to contribute towards peace-building initiatives by promoting mutual respect, camaraderie and religious tolerance and by condemning violence and hatred.

Kader is a long-time activist for women’s rights and much of her work has been devoted toward the empowerment of women and the elevation of women’s status in society. She has taken an active involvement in women empowerment initiatives by encouraging dialogue and educating audiences on various women’s issues. This has included hosting interfaith discussions between different religious women, raising awareness on the trafficking of young girls, promoting women’s role in the media and encouraging women to participate in society, politics and decision-making. Some of her work has included helping refugee Palestinian women and hosting international conferences including one on the Role of Immigrant Women towards International Peace in Stockholm, Sweden.

In addition, Kader has annually organized numerous side-events for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (“CSW”) on a variety of topics. Some of the CSW side events hosted by Kader have included Women in Islam: East Meets West (March 4, 2005), The Trafficking of Young Girls in the 21st Century (February 26, 2007), Rights of Muslim Women: Islam and Tradition (March 8, 2005), The Role of Women in Creating a Counter-Balance to Extremism (February 2007), The Role of Women in the Media Coverage of Peace-Building between the Middle East and the West (February 28, 2007), Empowering Women in Politics and Decision-Making in Muslim Countries (March 6, 2007), Empowerment of Women through Media Exposure for Building Peace (February 25, 2008), Violence against the Working Mother (March 1, 2010) and Muslim, Jewish and Christian Women Who Share the Vision of Understanding (March 12, 2009) among many others. USFMEP has further submitted statements for the CSW sessions including a recent one on Rural Women and Girls in Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas.[4]

Kader is a prominent activist working in the fight for greater recognition of children’s rights. She has promoted youth empowerment through events such as the Montessori Model United Nations Conferences in April 2011 and 2012,[5] youth interfaith dialogue events[6] in addition to hosting several panel discussions on trafficking in children. She serves as an Ambassador and an Auxiliary Board Member of the CIS, specifically supporting the Virtual Global Task Force, which was the first ever international operational law enforcement task force to protect children worldwide over the Internet.

Kader has also spoken to University students throughout the world including her speeches at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (December 12, 2010), University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas (September 2007), Georgetown University (November 14, 2005) and several others. She has sought to inspire and educate students about peace-building and has held youth interfaith dialogues to promote tolerance and mutual understanding. In addition, she has had sporting events and sports tournaments for youth throughout the world.

Kader has held numerous interfaith discussions bringing people of different faiths and cultures together for peaceful dialogue. She has hosted forums and conferences promoting interfaith and intercultural discussion between clashing religious communities, bringing religious leaders together to discuss shared values and the importance of religious tolerance. On July 20, 2009, Kader hosted an unprecedented congregation of 30 rabbis and imams from 13 European countries to the United Nations headquarters in New York City to discuss peace initiatives. She also served as key speaker at the United Nations Buddhist-Muslim Dialogue Series (September 3, 2008).

Kader has further sought to involve women and youth in the interfaith dialogue process. She has moderated a Youth Interfaith Dialogue for Peace and Mutual Understanding (July 25, 2011) as well as events catered towards women. These include Women are mirrored in Each Other: An Interfaith Dialogue and Muslim (March 1, 2012) and Christian and Jewish Women Who Share the Vision of Understanding (March 12, 2009) among others. Kader also served as a delegate for the Global Action Forum: Arab and American Dialogue.

Through the promotion of interfaith dialogue, Kader has worked to eliminate boundaries between people of different religions and cultures. Her work towards interfaith dialogue resonates with USFMEP’s primary mission to build bridges of tolerance and understanding.