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LISTEN & FOLLOW

Advocacy and the Yazidi Genocide with Abid Shamdeen

Friday, August 23, 2024

Abid Shamdeen

Episode Description

How can we best address the needs of the survivors of genocide? What does community-driven, sustainable rebuilding look like? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia speaks with Abid Shamdeen, the co-founder of Nadia's Initiative. Nadia's Initiative is an NGO focusing on advocacy for the Yazidi people and rebuilding Sinjar following the Yazidi genocide. Mr. Shamdeen shares his story, as well as provide insight into Nadia's Initiative's philosophy and impact in the Sinjar region.

Abid Shamdeen serves as the co-founder and strategic advisor at Nadia’s Initiative, a nonprofit organization committed to both rebuilding communities in crisis and advocating for survivors of sexual violence on a global scale. Hailing from Sinjar, Iraq, Shamdeen is an accomplished global development specialist whose entire career has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of marginalized communities and preventing acts of violence against them.

In his current capacity with Nadia’s Initiative, Shamdeen passionately champions the cause of Yazidi Genocide survivors, while also overseeing vital reconstruction and redevelopment endeavors that have delivered essential aid and support to the Sinjar region. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role as a member of the Sinjar Crisis Management Team, effectively providing invaluable insights and feedback to U.S. officials concerning the well-being of Yazidis in Iraq.

Before his current commitments, Abid Shamdeen lent his expertise to the United States Army in Iraq as a cultural advisor and translator from 2005-2010. His academic background includes a master’s degree in political science from the School of International Service at American University, as well as a bachelor’s degree obtained from Nebraska University. Notably, he also contributed to the Nebraska State Legislature in an Administrative Assistant capacity during his time at Nebraska University.

Resources

Murad, Nadia. The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State. New York: Tim Duggan Books, 2017.

Mental Health Resources

The content featured in this podcast may be emotionally disturbing and intense. Listener discretion is advised. Please consult this document for mental health resources if needed.

U.S.-Based Resources:

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/
• BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BIPOC-Mental-Health-Resources.pdf

Global Resources:

• Befrienders: https://befrienders.org/
• Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com/
• I Call Helpline: https://icallhelpline.org/
• 13 Yarn: https://www.13yarn.org.au/
• Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

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