Shamil’s Corner
“If one more church is burned, I will burn down 5 mosques.”
Last November, I sat across from an influential Pentecostal minister in Kenya, a key leader in a multifaith council along the Kenyan coast. When I asked how the council—now in operation for more than two decades—was formed, he took me back to 1999 amidst some of the worst sectarian violence the country had ever seen, which included the burning of local churches. When the minister was summoned to a meeting with local Muslim leaders, he issued a retaliatory threat that told of his fear and anger. But as he listened to the Muslim leaders share their own fear and anger at the violence their communities faced, something shifted. The groups agreed together to prevent any further violence against either community—a small but essential start—and as trust was slowly built, they formed a coalition. When a death threat was made against the minister’s life, it was one of his Muslim counterparts who alerted him to it and helped ensure the minister’s safety. Decades later, the group is comprised of religious institutions from African Traditional Religions, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam, all working together to promote peace, security, and development in Kenya. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when individuals reach across divides and bring their collective wisdom to bear on solving shared issues.
Examples like these confirm a truth that roots all of Search’s work: conflict has the power to generate transformation. At every level of life and human interaction—in both small and significant ways—conflict is inevitable. Stewarded poorly, that conflict can devolve into violence and chaos. But when people choose to face conflict by joining with others—especially those with whom they disagree—and strategize together to solve problems across lines of difference, they have the power to transform communities. It’s true in Kenya, it’s true in Central Asia (as you’ll read below), and it’s true everywhere Search is at work.
International Program Highlight
What sometimes appear as sudden breakthroughs to resolve conflict often bely the steady, faithful work of frontline peacebuilders who commit to processes that, step by step, build peace. This recently proved true in the central Asian nations of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan who’d been locked in a territorial dispute for more than a century. For much of that time, the conflict sparked intermittent flashpoints as communities along the 600 miles of shared border argued over land and water access in this densely populated region. But in 2021, the clashes erupted and violence surged, leading to dozens of deaths and the displacement of more than 100,000 Kyrgz civilians alone. In the wake of the devastation, officials agreed to a ceasefire that generated high-level talks, including a mediation process initiated by Search for Common Ground.
This process, known as Track II diplomacy, brings together non-state actors such as journalists, academics, and civil society leaders to address the dispute at hand without the formal constraints of official diplomatic channels—allowing for a more inclusive and effective peace process. When our team suggested to one of the Kyrgyz peace talk leaders that he gather scientists, journalists, and bloggers interested in dialogue with colleagues from Tajikistan, the process felt “like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room.” As the Kyrgyz leader described, “We began the dialogue very carefully, felt for red lines, avoided sharp moments and hate speech, and eventually found the right format. Special credit for this goes to the Search team who acted as a moderator, mediator, and peacemaker, and our American friends, who gave us the opportunity to begin a dialogue. There were many ideas, but the most important thing was the work that was underway, which imperceptibly, drop by drop, changed the mood of some part of the population, because behind each of the group participants, there were readers, friends, relatives, colleagues, and government representatives who knew about these contacts and were imbued with our ideas and mood. Perhaps it was a small stream, but a drop wears away a stone.”
As the group built trust across divided communities, they shared local insights and nuanced analytics with decision makers to inform official peace talks. On March 13, 2025, negotiations culminated in a robust border agreement signed by the presidents of both nations, settling the century-old territorial dispute. This enormous breakthrough will enhance stability in what is one of the most densely populated regions in the world, decreasing the likelihood of future violence and increasing border management that facilitates trade and economic collaboration.
Amidst an increasing authoritarian landscape in Central Asia, this historic breakthrough highlights the power of multipartial teams who, “drop by drop,” wear away stones that impede communities’ ability to flourish, forging new streams of peace and prosperity.
Planning for Peace
As tax season wraps up, many of us are reflecting on the future—how we care for our loved ones, manage our finances, and make a lasting impact. That’s why we’re excited to share a new opportunity that empowers you to do all three.
This month, Search for Common Ground is launching a new partnership with FreeWill, a free and secure online tool that helps you create a legal will in just 20 minutes.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an existing plan, FreeWill makes it easy to protect what matters most—your loved ones, your values, and your vision for a more peaceful world. Most Americans don’t have an up-to-date will, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to plan ahead and create a legacy rooted in hope, healing, and peace.
If you choose to include a gift to Search in your plans, you’ll be joining us in building safe and peaceful societies across 34 countries for generations to come.
And if you’ve already included Search in your estate plans, we’d love to know so we can thank you properly and welcome you to our Legacy Peace Society. Let us know here.
If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Just reach out to us at [email protected].
