Kathy Garms on the Abd el-Kader Education Project

This is the full article from our Voices from the Praire April 2011 issue.

HI: How did you learn about Abd el-Kader?

Kathy: Being raised in Elkader, I grew up hearing the name Emir Abd el-Kader and that our community was named after him in 1846, but it wasn’t until my adult years that I realized the significance and honor that were bestowed on us. In fact, I’m sure the founders of Elkader would be amazed and extremely proud to know that what began with their unique naming has created an international dimension for a very small town.

As for actually learning about Abd el-Kader, that came with John Kiser’s biography Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd el-Kader, A Story of True Jihad. This book was my first true connection to learning about Abd el-Kader’s life story in detail.

HI: When did the essay contest begin and what is it?

K: In early 2009, the Abd el-Kader Essay Contest was introduced at Elkader’s Central High School. This year the contest was open to all Iowa high school juniors and seniors. Students with the best essays receive scholarship awards. Principal Financial Group is a supporting financial sponsor.

Based on the inspiring life of Emir Abd el-Kader, the essay contest encourages learning about civility, tolerance, and understanding of other cultures. Students are asked to evaluate the significance of Abd el-Kader’s courageous life of struggle during peace, war, imprisonment, and exile as applied to current events in America and the world. The core resource for contest participants is Commander of the Faithful, the biography of Abd el-Kader, written by John Kiser, which is presented in an accessible and dramatic manner, engaging the reader on many levels: historical, cultural, ethical, and philosophical.

By late 2009, the essay contest evolved into The Abd el-Kader Education Project which today encourages people to learn about a different face of Islam that has been embraced by Muslim leaders in the U.S. and in Pakistan. Collaborating with the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, madrasa teachers in Pakistan are now using the Urdu translation of Commander of the Faithful to reflect upon and discuss Abd el-Kader’s life as a model of righteous living. Pakistani essay contests have been stimulated, in part, by Elkader’s example. The Pakistan experience is inspiring similar interest in other Muslim countries.

Contacts in other states have expressed interest in initiating Abd el-Kader Essay Contests.

HI: What is your role?

K: My role is to coordinate project activities in Iowa, which include the annual Abd el-Kader Essay Contest, free 2-day Middle East Policy Council professional development workshops, speaker opportunities and the Abd el-Kader Education Project Forum each May in Elkader, and to facilitate news bulletins to inform and create awareness of the project through outreach to businesses, civic organizations, educational institutions and other contacts. Through our newly created website, www.abdelkaderproject.org, it will be possible to reach an even wider audience.

HI: What about Abd El-Kader do you think would surprise Iowan's?

K: Abd el-Kader was a unifier not a divider. For him, there was never a conflict between politics, religion and knowledge. They should all work to serve the end of glorifying God. Abd el-Kader believed strongly that:

It would surprise Iowans to know:

HI: How does the project relate to Iowa?

K: We are all part of a world that is constantly changing. Knowledge of cultures and beliefs beyond our backyards is vital. It is equally important that we share about our lives. Iowa is distinguished for its high education standards and quality of life. Open minds with a desire to learn have allowed this to go forward.

Iowa was chosen to lead a developing model of global civic education curriculum materials relating to 21st Century Skills that is much needed today. The Abd el-Kader Education Project provides educators and the general public with knowledge of a part of the world that is misunderstood and perplexing to most Americans. Our project encourages participation by all who want to learn.

Last May, Algerian Ambassador Abdallah Baali was warmly welcomed to Elkader to be part of The Abd el-Kader Education Project Forum. The US/Algerian Business Council contacted me to coordinate their October 2008 Trade Mission Day Trip to the Elkader area. As a result, Iowa economic development contacts continue to be informed of on-going Algerian trade missions whether in the U.S. or in Algeria.

As our project relationships develop, more opportunities for interaction will develop nationally and internationally. We encourage dialog between people of diverse backgrounds who seek common ground and will continue to spread the word whenever and where ever possible. Our door is open to all who wish to enter.

HI: What other events, projects are you leading for Iowans?

K:Highlighting a few other components of the Abd el-Kader Education Project:

The Abd el-Kader Education Project Forum (Everyone is Welcome)
Saturday, May 14 at the historic Elkader Opera House
2:00-4:00 p.m. Forum Discussions
6:30 p.m. “Meet and Greet” in the Elkader Opera House with live music
7:00 p.m. The Forum begins

The Emir Abd el-Kader Story and his relevance for today will be told through engaging educational and entertaining presentations. The winning Abd el-Kader Essay Students will be honored.

Emir Abd el-Kader Educational Materials. Last fall, Emir Abd el-Kader was introduced to educators at the Iowa & National Councils for Social Studies. The Abd el-Kader Education Project curriculum entitled “Connecting across Cultures: How a Muslim Hero Won the Hearts and Minds of the World” includes a Google Earth tour entitled “Who Was Abd el-Kader” and DBQs “Embodying the Nation: George Washington, Abd el-Kader, and Gandhi”. These optional 6-12th grade curriculum materials align with Iowa and national core standards and are available free to all schools.

Free Teacher Workshops. Abd el-Kader Education Project colleague Barbara Petzen, Teach Mideast Education Director for the Middle East Policy Council in DC, will present free 2-day MEPC teacher workshops in Iowa entitled Understanding the Middle East and Islam: Perspectives, Strategies and Tools for Teaching, sponsored in part by Humanities Iowa. Schedule to be announced.

Middle School/High School Book. Elsa Marston, a well-known writer of books for middle school students (www.elsamarston.com) has enthusiastically pounced on Commander of the Faithful to rework it into a school text for middle and high school students. She calls it a “fabulous story” that must be told for younger people. Elsa will bring the story up to the present and place it in the context of modern colonial history.

Abd el-Kader Ambassadors. We invite everyone to become Abd el-Kader Ambassadors to help spread the positive message of building bridges of understanding between peoples of all cultures and beliefs. Everyone can spread the word to popularize the life and message of Abdelkader’s life, not only as a Muslim but first as a great human being.

HI: How do the Adb El-Kader education projects enrich the lives in Iowa now and into the future?

The Abd el-Kader Education Project enriches the lives of Iowans by providing a new dimension of global awareness via Emir Abd el-Kader. Who would have guessed that a famous 19th century Arab Muslim hero would be helping to bring Iowa in touch with the larger global society today?

It has become very clear to me that we must all move forward in seeking knowledge, wisdom, and friendships across the globe. Each of us has the capacity to ignite a spark to show the rest of the world how different cultures can live and work together in friendship, respect, understanding, and cooperation.

Greg Mortenson has traveled this path as told in his book Three Cups of Tea. The Abd el-Kader Education Project is traveling the same path as it brings people of different cultures and beliefs together through the exemplary life story of Emir Abd el-Kader. Knowledge and education can bring about great life changes.

“The form of worship may change but not the Master, for the God of the Christians is also ours. We are only different in the way we address ourselves to Him.” Emir Abd el-Kader

This is the full article from our Voices from the Praire April 2011 issue.