Journeys to democracy

TODAY, 11 am ET/8 pm Pakistan time Sapan will host a writing workshop with my old friend Mohsin Tejani from Karachi, and his friend Lee Krishnan from Mumbai. They met 25 years ago at the Andover Breadloaf Writing Academy where they are both trainers. Since they’re here again, they offered to do this workshop in person. People can also join online with children, parents, grandparents, significant others, friends or on their own. Details here: Writing Together, Across Borders.

Sapan News feature about our Write for Peace workshop in August 2022 : Divided by borders, united by aspirations.

Love across borders: Friday 14 July

I’m speaking at this event at Copley Square, Boston, organised by Muslims for Progressive Values and Boston South Asian Coalition in collaboration with the Boston Study Group and Sapan.

Read Sapan News feature Beyond borders and boundaries of religion, caste, and nationality, on our online discussion Celebrating Love: Beyond Borders and Boundaries, February 2023.

Death forever separates cross-border brothers reunited recently after 74 years

A year-and-a-half after their first meeting in 74 years, death has forever separated two brothers living less than 140 miles from each other across the Punjab region that straddles Pakistan and India. Read the update here and sign the petition urging India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions. #MilneDo.

Six months Sayed Arif Faisal’s death at hands of Cambridge police

A coalition of Southasian diaspora, race and justice activists has continued to keep this issue alive. There was a rally at Harvard Square yesterday, where several speakers placed the mental health issue front and centre, along with demands for police accountablity. Asked to speak at the last minute, I talked about the need to explore the concept of restorative justice and causes behind the violence, and move away from the punitive approach.

Read: #JusticeforFaisal: Policing, mental health, race, and the Southasian diaspora in America – a Sapan News feature by Upasana Goswami.

Filed under: Progressive politics, Southasia | Tagged: andover breadloaf, arif faisal, Diaspora, mental health, Sapan, sapan news, Sika khan, south asia, write for peace, Writing workshop |