Thanks Kathy,
This has been an extremely wonderful experience. I have been working with this group for a year and a half. At the beginning I was reluctant to work with such a group, but now I assure you that they were just kids who have been mislead to do what they thought was going to help their people and religion. With careful care and understanding they become as normal as you can imagine; they paint, draw, sculpt and enjoy their lives just like most of us. Their terrorist ideation fades out when they discover their softer side. And when they get their, you can't stop them from having fun in expressing their deepest sides and give you their most buried secrets; broken families, neglect, failed love affairs, and many childhood traumatic experiences. I will keep working with them helping them discover the joy of art making as therapy.
And by the way our sessions are so deep in process and need a strong understanding of the culture and religion.
Awad Alyami, with love to all,,,

Dear Awad,

I am so pleased that you read the post and responded from the other side of the globe! The impact of your work is far-reaching and profound, my friend and colleague. You also have so much to teach us about the cultural and religious issues you weave into your work with your clients.

We missed you at the annual conference this year, but I know we will all soon meet again. Our colleague and art therapy champion Bobbi Stoll spoke highly of her visit to your program!

All my best wishes,

Cathy

What an inspiring article! I currently reside in Kuwait and have recently read about the work with detainees. I even spoke to my husband about how it would be interesting if art therapy would work in that setting.

Awe inspiring work.

Anna-Lou

Greetings and Happy New Year from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

I finally have time to read my old emails and am glad to have run across this inspirational article.

With so much suffering around the planet, where victims become perpetrators and the cycle of violence appears without end, particularly in the Middle East, it is not just refreshing, but inspiring to read about this project in Saudi Arabia. It is certainly a side of Saudi society that most never see, or consider as a Saudi export.

As a storyteller/teacher, who shares stories from the cultures of the Middle East, I hope to incorporate this story in my performances and workshops, teaching others about their so-called "enemies."

We have much to learn from each other. Thank you, Dr. Alyami, for your work. Insha'Allah, we will learn to Make Art Not War, to truly reach the peace we all seek.

Blessings & Peace,

Audrey Galex

I would love to help if that were possible. I am a 2nd year grad student at Adler School of Professional Psychology in the masters in counseling: art therapy department. Adler School often offers scholarships for students to volunteer in their field. I am done with course work and my internship at a Psychiatric hospital in May. I would love to be able to come and assist for a few weeks any time after May if it were possible. Are there any openings to volunteer? I have a friend who speaks fluent Arabic who isn't an art therapist but is also interested in assisting. Whom should I contact to see if this would be possible?

What an interesting idea! It would be wonderful if it turned out to have long-term effects and could be used to fight terrorism on a larger scale. Thanks for the article, I sure enjoy this site!

It is a nice article.I am so impressed with what Dr. Awad Alyami is doing. And it surely not easy to face those former JIHAD warriors.