Grassroots programs changing lives--I told you about Oral Lee Brown and I Have A Dream. The Tariq Khamisa Foundation works to end youth gang involvement.
How? One part is is the joining together of the Khamisa and Hicks families--the victim and the murderer--joined in forgiveness.
Tariq's father, Azim, says it is the teaching of his Ismaili Muslim faith that made forgiveness possible.
TKF's Violence Impact Forum (VIF) is a unique and powerful school-based violence prevention education program for students in the 4th -7th grades. The VIF assembly includes a high-impact video with powerful speakers and lively student audience participation. The program focuses on the personal story of Tariq Khamisa and Tony Hicks and the lifelong consequences of one deadly choice.VIF panelists include Azim Khamisa, Ples Felix, and Tariq's "big sister" Tasreen Khamisa Alaei, plus former male and female gang members who share the stark reality of gangs and prison life. Students learn a powerful lesson about the destructive impact of gangs and violence and the importance of making peaceful, positive choices. Students also witness "forgiveness in action" by seeing Azim and Ples sitting together on stage. This is often the first time that many children have been shown that there are alternatives to revenge and retaliation.
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