Lana Daoud
Lana Daoud’s formative years
were spent traveling between the Middle East and the U.S., observing and
absorbing two different worlds. Long
before 9/11, Daoud became accustomed to assumptions from both American friends
and family in the Middle East. Daoud’s vantage point inspired a desire for
understanding, later inspiring her chosen study of History and Middle East
Studies at San Francisco State University.
Daoud’s childhood best friend was Jewish, she attended an ethnically diverse elementary school, and became accustomed to a culturally eclectic Muslim community- an “other” growing comfortable among various “others.”
The Muslim community Daoud came to know was no stranger to interfaith work, but she viewed the work to be faith leaders expressing public support of each others communities, which was “really great, but these are initial steps, not a result. Understanding lies in dialogue among the people within the communities.” NewGround gave structure to Daoud’s goal of building and maintaining dialogue.
Later, as Development Coordinator for CAIR- Greater Los Angeles, Daoud found that although younger generations gain the benefits and camaraderie of a thriving Muslim community, there remains a loss. “Kids can now grow up in an entirely Muslim community with only Muslim friends. For me, and my generation, that wasn’t an option but I believe the result for me was positive. A strong sense of community is important, but we still need to engage outside of our community.”
Daoud, along with her 2010 cohort fellows, Rebecca Berger and Tasneem Noor, initiated an exchange program between Jewish and Muslim middle school students, hoping to inspire a “NewGround Junior” that will forge interfaith bonds among younger generations. Daoud would like to use communication skills and active listening she learned through NewGround, to strengthen communication in her community, hoping to develop beyond reacting to the latest Islamophobic outburst. “There’s no sense in being defined by our defenses. I’m interested in tools to get past that stage, into constructive and forward thinking.”
Daoud reflects on her NewGround experience, “I didn’t expect to feel vulnerable. NewGround challenges you to let go of self-preserving habits developed over time, and instead let people in, trusting you’ll gain something more valuable than what you’re holding back. And you do.” In the long term, Daoud sees herself as a cultural liaison, and has aspirations of nonprofit building for which she has yet to define the potential.
Daoud’s childhood best friend was Jewish, she attended an ethnically diverse elementary school, and became accustomed to a culturally eclectic Muslim community- an “other” growing comfortable among various “others.”
The Muslim community Daoud came to know was no stranger to interfaith work, but she viewed the work to be faith leaders expressing public support of each others communities, which was “really great, but these are initial steps, not a result. Understanding lies in dialogue among the people within the communities.” NewGround gave structure to Daoud’s goal of building and maintaining dialogue.
Later, as Development Coordinator for CAIR- Greater Los Angeles, Daoud found that although younger generations gain the benefits and camaraderie of a thriving Muslim community, there remains a loss. “Kids can now grow up in an entirely Muslim community with only Muslim friends. For me, and my generation, that wasn’t an option but I believe the result for me was positive. A strong sense of community is important, but we still need to engage outside of our community.”
Daoud, along with her 2010 cohort fellows, Rebecca Berger and Tasneem Noor, initiated an exchange program between Jewish and Muslim middle school students, hoping to inspire a “NewGround Junior” that will forge interfaith bonds among younger generations. Daoud would like to use communication skills and active listening she learned through NewGround, to strengthen communication in her community, hoping to develop beyond reacting to the latest Islamophobic outburst. “There’s no sense in being defined by our defenses. I’m interested in tools to get past that stage, into constructive and forward thinking.”
Daoud reflects on her NewGround experience, “I didn’t expect to feel vulnerable. NewGround challenges you to let go of self-preserving habits developed over time, and instead let people in, trusting you’ll gain something more valuable than what you’re holding back. And you do.” In the long term, Daoud sees herself as a cultural liaison, and has aspirations of nonprofit building for which she has yet to define the potential.
