My name is Qalbi Sami. I live in Toronto, Canada. I grew up in a Muslim family from Southern India, attended a Catholic school, and lived in a Hindu neighborhood. I am a student of the Sufi path, brought by Hazrat Inayat Khan.
Favorite Food: Biryani of course. I am an Indian.
How do you take your coffee? I take my coffee with Soymilk + Bru (which is instant coffee from India).
Date you started volunteering:
During the Parliament of World Religions – 2018, I helped Hafiz Neil Rothenberg (US Board of Directors) set up the Abrahamic Reunion meeting at his home. But I started volunteering actively with the AR since August of 2020.
What you do, professional background:
I wear many hats… I am a Childbirth Educator and the creator and founder of Humsa Prenatals, which offers online courses and webinars for pregnant women (https://humsaprenatals.com). I worked as an aide to people with disabilities for more than a decade. I’ve worked with children and young adults with special needs, in the classroom. I am the author of a children’s book, “Peli and Brr: A story of two friends.” I am also working on, “Hold my hand, Sharda,” a children’s novel about friendship between four girls from India who are of different faiths.
What you’ve done as a volunteer / title of your internship position:
I started with updating the database on Constant Contact and Donor Perfect. I was amazed to see the message of Abrahamic Reunion spreading so far and wide. I was then given a task that I dreaded at first. It involved asking people on Facebook if they’d like to receive the newsletter. After I connected with 150 people, I got the chance to write to some donors asking them to update their information for the new system. The Unity prayers, the Taste of Peacemaking series, the prayer vigils, Parliament of World Religions-2021 are some of the videos I transcribed. Chris Miller was able to put together newer videos with the help of these scripts.
How you found out about the Abrahamic Reunion:
I learned about the Abrahamic Reunion through David Less and Hafiz Neil Rothenberg. I was then introduced to Chris Miller, who helped me get started on my tasks. Hafiz is my guide on the Sufi path and a good friend, and so is David (Shahabuddin).
Why do you volunteer for the AR?
Though transcribing is not an easy task, I find it to be a profoundly spiritual experience. It allows me to peek into the consciousness of the peacemakers who are working towards making peace possible. I have felt their emotions deeply. I was quite affected by them to the point that sometimes I was in tears while transcribing. I am deeply moved by the mission of Abrahamic Reunion, and I want to be a part of it. Even though my contribution is just fractional or less than that compared to the work that others are doing.
What is your favorite thing about the AR?
I am amazed by the zeal and intent of the peacemakers such as – Shahabuddin David Less, Anat Levor, Sheikh Ghassan and Laila Manasra, Najah Kabah, Chris Miller and Neil Rothenberg, Hermione and Tim Garland, Anna Less, Michael Macy, Ted Brownstein, Siham Halabi, Sana and Khalil Albaz, Abed-al-Salam and Susu Manasra, Zainab Manasra, Mohamed Jamous, Father Firas, Deacon Jiries, Father Nael, Rev. Dave Grishaw-Jones, Sheikh Khalid Abu Ras, the Rabbis Leora Ezrachi-Vered, Dahlia Shaham, Rosenblatt, Shlomo Dev Rosen, David Rosen, and the younger generation – Malkon Marizian, Hala and Hanan Halabi, Dvir Warshovsky, Shahed Baghdadi, Sajedah-Akram, each and every one of them (even those not mentioned), who are so determined to bring peace between all nations. They are such a force and a great inspiration.
A moment with the AR or at an event, while volunteering, something you’ve read, that you remember and stuck with you:
I was most impacted by Elias Jabbour’s words, “I prefer Jews and Arabs are going to live together, with problems. I would love to live with problems rather than die without problems. Problems are to be solved. The genius mind of human beings is to solve problems.”
How has the Abrahamic Reunion changed you or your perspective?
It was a bit difficult for me to understand that Peace is the only way. I was so surprised hearing the same thing over and over from each and every one of the peacemakers. They long for peace, their hearts are hungering for peace. Watching them, I have begun to transform. It is now becoming a possibility in my own heart, and I find myself thinking – Yes, maybe, Peace IS possible. Life isn’t easy, but it is very precious. Peace is not easy, but it is worth it.
Your 1-sentence thought on, or prayer for peace, interfaith, or peacebuilding:
We are all one being. At some point, whether in this life or in the hereafter, we WILL realize it. So why not now while we are still alive? This is our one chance to be kind to one another.
Anything else you’d like to say, or for people to know about you?
I am a mom with all the idiosyncrasies that a Desi (Indian) mom would have. I have two highly talented, kind and wonderful daughters. I joke around a lot with my younger one, go for walks in nature with my friends, and I love singing. I have also been blessed in life with wonderful friends, Sufi teachers, my mother, my sisters, my nieces and nephew, and all who have helped me through some very tough times. They gave me so much love and strength to carry on. I couldn’t have done it without them. My motto is friendship. All I have to give to this world is my presence, if the world will have it. Ya Salaam, Shalom, Peace, Aman and Shanti to all.
