Executive Committee
Talal Al-Hariri – Iraq
Chairman
Talal Al-Hariri is the founder and President of the Secular Project and the October 25 Movement, the first Iraqi youth-led political party to openly advocate normalization with Israel. With a strong academic background in political science and international relations, Al-Hariri has established himself as a pioneer in civil reform, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding initiatives.
A former journalist and writer for various media institutions, including the Iraqi Commission for Broadcasting, Al-Hariri co-founded the liberal Tamaddun Alliance before becoming Secretary General of the October 25 Party. He later founded the Ur-Nammu Center for Studies, a youth-driven initiative focused on reviving Iraq’s shared multi-sectarian heritage and fostering research on regional peace and integration.
Al-Hariri also serves on the Executive Committee of the Arab Council for Regional Integration. He has spearheaded numerous conferences and initiatives aimed at promoting Iraqi-Israeli peace, youth leadership, and regional cooperation. His work reflects a deep commitment to building bridges across divides, advancing shared prosperity, and fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding throughout the Middle East.
Wijdan Al-Yaeesh – Saudi Arabia
Members
Ahmed Samir – Iraq
Shadwa Jbail – Tunisia
Hadeel Lateef – Iraq
Suzan Quitaz – Kurdistan-Iraq/Israel
David Yassin – Iraq / Germany
Abdul Hameed Al-Ghabin – Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Al-said – Iraq
Mariam Majdouline – Lebanon
Samia Shingali – Iraq
Abdullah Hadeed – Syria
Ali Majid – Iraq
Mufida Mohammed – Libya
Hussein Qamar – Iraq
Aziz Hdeem – Morocco
Suzan Quitaz is a Kurdish-Iraqi Swedish journalist and a prominent peace activist. Drawing from her own inspiring journey and her family’s uprooting from Iraq to life in exile , she dedicates her work to promoting peace and coexistence.
Suzan has
participated in peace initiatives across the region and globally, using her voice to bridge divides and advocate for a world where diversity is embraced and coexistence thrives.
Suzan has worked as a journalist and podcast host for the Jerusalem Centre for Security and Foreign Affairs in Israel.
Previously worked for number of Qatari media outlets as a field producer-journalist for Alaraby Television and on freelance basis for Al Jazeera
Suzan has covered Israeli Affairs for
Al Majalla, a Saudi current affairs magazine, and
published in Times of Israel and number of Swedish media.
Wijdan Al-Yaeesh is a law graduate from Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh. She completed her legal training at the Legal Affairs Department of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and currently serves at the Saudi Cultural Mission in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Additionally, she is an advisor at an independent international arbitration organization.
With a strong commitment to fostering coexistence and youth empowerment, Wijdan plays an active role in building bridges of understanding and cultural exchange. Through her work, she collaborates with peers to promote dialogue and regional integration.
Ahmed Samir is a seasoned Iraqi media professional with over 18 years of experience in journalism, radio, television, and digital content creation. He began his career as a reporter and editor before transitioning into program hosting, eventually advancing to directing and creative production.
Having held key positions in both local and international media organizations, Ahmed has successfully led impactful digital projects. His work is dedicated to highlighting humanitarian and social issues, leveraging media as a powerful tool to drive positive change in society.
Shadwa Jbail is a Tunisian civil activist and a member of the Peace Communication Team Initiative. A graduate of the University of Tunis, Faculty of Arts, she has been actively involved in numerous peace initiatives and women’s rights movements. She has also gained experience working with various media outlets.
Committed to fostering peaceful coexistence and cultural pluralism, Shadwa continues to collaborate with her peers to promote dialogue, inclusion, and social harmony within her community.
Hadeel Lateef is an Iraqi journalist with over 18 years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media. She has specialized in investigative reporting, opinion writing, and producing and hosting political interviews, cultural programs, and in-depth reports. Throughout her career, she has utilized media as a tool for awareness and social change.
Recognizing the power of digital platforms, Hadeel established her own independent media space to promote impactful journalism and advocate for rights and freedoms. She has produced satirical political content that challenges the status quo in Iraq, alongside educational and comedic material aimed at fostering reason, scientific thought, and critical awareness. Her work actively combats emotional manipulation and promotes media literacy.
Hadeel has spearheaded social campaigns to challenge taboos and counter hate speech, including “Shako Biha” and “Khal Ntesafa,” earning international recognition as a peace advocate from the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). She was also featured in the BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring Women list and was among the pioneering female journalists selected for the German Cooperation Organization’s (MICT) Media Leadership Program.
Beyond journalism, Hadeel has managed media institutions and regional news offices. She is also an active political advocate and a content creator specializing in political analysis and public discourse.
David Yassin is an Iraqi activist and influencer with a background in law from the University of Baghdad. He has been actively involved in Iraq’s civil society, advocating for democratic reforms and social change.
Driven by a vision for regional peace, David has worked alongside fellow young leaders to promote the Abrahamic Peace Initiative, fostering dialogue and reconciliation among Iraqi and Arab youth. As part of the Secular Project’s peace initiatives, he plays a key role in advancing narratives that align with the aspirations of a new, peaceful Middle East. His ongoing efforts focus on empowering young voices and integrating them into the broader movement for coexistence and regional cooperation.
Abdul Hameed Al-Ghabin is a Saudi journalist, political analyst, and president of Al-Siyasi Center for Studies, based in London. Recognized among the 50 most influential figures in Saudi Arabia, he has been a vocal advocate for regional peace, dialogue, and cooperation as a pathway to stability and progress.
With a candid and forward-thinking approach, Al-Ghabin promotes peace as a fundamental pillar for fostering constructive discourse and prioritizing national and regional development over conflict. As a prominent youth-oriented influencer, he represents the emerging Saudi narrative of openness, sustainable development, and regional collaboration in alignment with the Kingdom’s vision for the future.
Ahmed Al-Said is a Baghdad-based civil activist and a political science graduate from the University of Baghdad. He is a member of the Fifth Republic Initiative for Peaceful Change in Iraq and an active figure within Iraq’s civil society, with a strong network among the new generation of changemakers.
Through his work in the private sector and his focus on development and investment, Ahmed advocates for a vision where peace serves as a catalyst for reform, economic opportunities, and youth empowerment. His efforts bridge the gap between stability, innovation, and sustainable progress for Iraq’s future.
Mariam Majdouline is a prominent Lebanese journalist and influencer, working with the Lebanese MTV network and the Nidaa Al-Watan news platform. Alongside her candid media discourse, Majdouline advocates for a vision based on rejecting the militia-state equation and upholding the ideals of independence while combating Iranian influence. She positions herself as a Lebanese who is fighting for Lebanon’s cause, striving for peace and prosperity, and she offers Lebanese youth a clear path towards reform in her speeches.
Samia Shingali is a Yazidi activist and influencer from Sinjar, recognized as one of the foremost advocates for peace and coexistence. She presents herself to her community as a defender of the Yazidi cause and the diverse cultural heritage of the region. Since the Yazidi genocide, Samia has worked with numerous leading international and local organizations focused on human rights and democracy. She leads a civil team dedicated to promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and the preservation of identity and civic citizenship.
Aziz Hdeem is a Moroccan activist and peacebuilder who leads the Youth for Peace Association to promote the values of peace and pluralism among Moroccan youth, with gender-inclusive participation. Hdeem has been part of numerous initiatives, most notably the Peace and Tolerance Initiative, and has collaborated with Hariri to represent the voice of Morocco’s youth. He advocates for preserving the country’s pluralistic heritage among religious communities and highlights the role of civil society in fostering values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Ali Majid is a civil activist from Baghdad and a government employee at the National Museum of Iraq. Through his academic expertise and professional role, Ali, along with a group of like-minded youth, strives to revive the cultural heritage of Mesopotamia, promote cultural diversity among religious communities, and encourage the dissemination of the message of peace and the Abrahamic heritage. Ali has been involved in several civil initiatives, most notably the Fifth Republic Initiative, aimed at empowering youth leadership and promoting good governance in Iraq.
Mufida Mohammed is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Archeology at the Heritage College of Sabratha University. Through her academic expertise and position, she has contributed numerous research studies focused on enhancing cultural and civilizational pluralism in Libya, with a particular emphasis on the role of religious diversity as a stabilizing factor for the new Libya. Mufida’s activities extend beyond academia, as she has actively participated in various peace initiatives. Through her close relationships with youth, she seeks to empower young people and promote a culture of dialogue and engagement with different cultures.
Hussein Qamar is a civil activist and one of the prominent influencers in the Iraqi civil society. Following his participation in the October Reform Movement, Hussein founded numerous youth initiatives on the ground aimed at empowering young people and encouraging their active participation in public affairs. Through his strong ties with Iraqi civil society and its various components and sects, Hussein has built an extensive network and works with his colleagues to spread a culture of peace and a peaceful approach to improving Iraq’s realities. After moving to Germany, Hussein has been dedicated to organizing the voices of the expatriate youth, ensuring they have a presence in peace discussions, while continuing to maintain connections with civil society within Iraq to unite national efforts for peace and development.
Abdullah Hadeed is a Syrian journalist and civil activist who has worked with several media outlets, most notably Al-Badia Syrian Channel. Abdullah has extensive connections within Syrian local communities, as well as with Arab and Kurdish tribes in northeastern Syria. He has contributed to numerous social initiatives aimed at spreading the message of peace and coexistence. Today, Abdullah is focused on empowering a vision of peace, striving for a new Syria that is open to the peace process, through educating youth and his journalistic work.
Ruqayah Albadri – Baghdad_Iraq
Ruqayah Albadri is a civil activist and media personality from Baghdad. After graduating from the University of Baghdad and completing her studies in the sciences, Ruqayah engaged in both media and civil work, in addition to leading several field initiatives focused on empowering youth, enhancing civil dialogue, and promoting a culture of peace and cultural pluralism. Since 2020, alongside her artistic endeavors, Ruqayah has worked to promote the Abrahamic peace vision in Iraq through individual social media initiatives aimed at spreading the principles of peace and advocating for the importance of peace as a project that offers an opportunity to rebuild Iraq and improve the world. Additionally, she plays a key role in the work of the Ur-nammu Center for Studies, an initiative aimed at enhancing the shared, multi-faith heritage.
Himdad Mustafa
Himdad Mustafa is a Kurdish researcher whose main areas of specialization include Kurdish, Iranian, and Turkish studies with a special focus on Kurdish affairs. His work has been published by both local and international media outlets and research institutes, including Kurdsat, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), and the Kurdish Center for Studies (KCS).
In addition to his research, Mustafa is a dedicated peace advocate. For years, he has worked to build bridges between Israelis, Kurds, and other ethnic groups in the Middle East.
