LISTEN: Coexistence, Peace, and Diplomacy in the Middle East with Fatema Al Harbi
- Allied Voices for Israel (AVI)
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
On Episode 11 of the Common Voices podcast, we sit down with Bahraini peace activist Fatema Al Harbi
Click on the above graphic to listen to Episode 11 of Common Voices!
On episode 11 of the Common Voices podcast, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) Founder and Executive Director Daniel sits down with Fatema Al Harbi – a Muslim-Arab advocate from Bahrain who dedicates her life to advocating for coexistence, peace, and diplomacy between Muslims and Jews.
Growing up in Bahrain, Fatema was always was curious about Jews and Israel but grew up hearing only one story, full of propaganda and hate, from news outlets in the Arab world. She always questioned why she was supposed to hate Israel.
Click the above still to listen to a soundbite from our latest Common Voices podcast episode
Fatema is currently the Director of Gulf Affairs at Sharaka and serves as the first Bahraini EU Peace Ambassador.
Fatema and Daniel discuss her background and advocacy, her work with Sharaka and in promoting the Abraham Accords, her experience visiting Israel, challenges and hopes post-October 7th, the impact of her work in promoting allyship and coexistence between Muslims and Jews, and more.
In this clip, Fatema expresses the increasingly hostile and hateful attitudes towards Muslim-Jewish relations that exists in the West vs the Middle East.
To listen to Episode 11: Coexistence, Peace, and Diplomacy in the Middle East & Beyond, please click here.
To watch the episode on YouTube, please click here.
Click above to stream episode 11
When Fatema first visited Israel, she was surprised to see Muslims and Jews living and interacting together, contrary to the “apartheid state” narrative she had heard.
She saw a Muslim woman wearing a hijab and a Jewish man wearing a kippah walking together at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, which she described as a “beautiful picture of coexistence.” When she shared a photo of this on Instagram, people accused her of photoshopping it, as they couldn't believe a simple image of a Muslim woman with a Jewish man walking together in the university was real.
This is why Fatema's mission of coexistence is so essential to building lasting peace and unity in the Middle East. Advocates like Fatema and organizations like AVI are aligned in their collective mission to educate people beyond preconceived stereotypes and propaganda.
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We are honoured to be one of the Canadian organizations partnered on an important event with The BAYT Brotherhood International Law Committee (BILC) and Wagner Sidlofsky LLP in hosting world-renowned international law expert Natasha Hausdorff for an exclusive presentation in Toronto.
In a time of rising anti-Jewish hatred on campuses, in workplaces, and in society at large, Natasha provides reasoned and fact-based arguments needed to advocate for Israel and the Jewish community.
When: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7pm ET (VIP reception at 6pm)
Where: Toronto (Location disclosed 24 hours prior)
Do not miss this chance to hear from a champion who has defended Israel and the rule of law internationally. Let’s get informed and advocate for a policy that promotes Canadian interests and supports our allies.
To register, please click here.
RSVP to Raheel Raza: raheel@raheelraza.com
AVI is honoured to serve as a partner on an upcoming program hosted by the Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism (CMAA) and the 4M Forum for Learning.
Please join us for A Multifaith Perspective on Israel on February 8, from 3–5 PM in midtown Toronto. Attendees will hear from participants who recently returned after taking part in a CMAA-led trip to Israel.
AVI's Allyship Advisor Abhinav will also share about his first experience in Israel as part of his Common Ground Ambassadorship with AVI.
Attendees will hear from a powerful panel of Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Hindu, and Bahá’í Canadians. Together, they’ll reflect on their mission to Israel and their conversations with members of diverse communities across the region. This is a conversation rooted in dialogue, lived experience, and mutual understanding.
Please RSVP to raheel@raheelraza.com. Space is limited.
AVI is also leading a series of workshops throughout British Columbia over the next two weeks. Please click here to learn more.
P.S. If you haven't had a chance yet, I encourage you to read our AVI 2025 Impact Report, detailing our efforts across Canada over the past year.
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