In the village of Yusuf Abad, Abdul Rahman Seddiqi is known as the best mediator in his region. He has been a mediator for over 3 years and he helps people solve problems and conflicts, showing how mediation can make a big difference in people’s lives and his journey is a proof of how mediation can change things for the better.
Abdul Rahman learned about solving conflicts when he was growing up as a teen. The older people in his community taught him how to live together peacefully and if a conflict happens how to resolve it in calm and peaceful manner. Inspired by these lessons, he decided to spend his life helping others, saying, “I have a duty to me, my people, to my religion and to humanity to bring peace to people’s lives and resolve conflicts.”
He deals with all kinds of conflicts, from small arguments between couples to big problems about religion and family inheritance. Abdul Rahman stands out because he gets deeply involved in the community. He brings together important people, respected elders, scholars, and those who know a lot about the issues.
One of the most difficult cases that Abdul Rahman resolved was as following:
“In Joghrtan Village, a dispute over the ownership of a mosque between Sunni and Shia communities created tensions. Originally constructed by Sunnis, Shias had gradually started praying there and claimed ownership over time. The matter was brought before the Council of Scholars in Injil District, and, in collaboration with the Head of Hajj and Endowments, a committee was formed to investigate the issue.
Moulavi Abdul Rahman Sadiqi, heading the committee, along with its members, meticulously examined documents, evidence, and statements from local elders. Their thorough investigation led to the conclusion that the mosque historically belonged to Sunnis, and Shias had no involvement in its construction or ownership. Both parties accepted this decision, and the dispute between the Sunni and Shia communities was peacefully resolved. As a result, both groups now coexist peacefully in Joghrtan Village.
The resolution not only brought mutual acceptance between the Sunni and Shia communities but also ensured a peaceful sharing of the mosque. The decision made by Abdul Rahman Seddiqi, through the committee’s findings, fostered harmony and understanding between the two sects, contributing to a peaceful coexistence in the village.”
Another case that he resolved during his years of hard work is as following:
“In Nowin Sofla Village, a land dispute between a Tajik and a Pashtun prompted concerns of escalating tensions between the two communities. The disagreement centered around a piece of land, with both parties having supporters and the potential for a major conflict arising. To address the issue, Moulavi Abdul Rahman Sadiqi took on the role of mediator.
During the mediation process, the he was engaged to find a resolution. The seller claimed to have sold the land to the buyer several years ago, and the buyer had accepted it without objection at the time. The mediator, Moulavi Abdul Rahman Sadiqi, suggested that the parties verify the size of the land during the handover and accept that as the deal because it was the actual land which was sold to the buyer and advised against initiating any conflict. Both parties agreed to this approach, and the issue was peacefully resolved without any significant confrontation. A consensus was reached on the size of the land, leading to the restoration of peace in the village.
As a result, the successful resolution not only prevented a potential ethnic conflict but also brought a sense of fairness and justice to both the Tajik and Pashtun parties involved in the dispute. The agreement on the land’s size played a crucial role in ensuring harmony and averting further tensions in Nowin Sofla Village.”
Abdul Rahman learned a lot from the Strengthening Social Cohesion in Afghanistan (SSCA) Project, a program funded by the Search for Common Ground organization and implemented by the Razi Social Development Organization.
He says: “This project helped me become a better mediator by providing special training on resolving conflicts. It focused on understanding the reasons for conflicts and using effective strategies to solve them which I can use in the future to bring peace to my community. I appreciate the project’s emphasis on involving the community and using traditional ways of mediation.”
Thanks to the Search for Common Ground, Abdul Rahman is now not just a mediator in his community but also a symbol of how community-focused programs can make a real difference. His story shows that with the right training and support, individuals can bring positive change to their communities.
Abdul Rahman learned about solving conflicts when he was growing up as a teen. The older people in his community taught him how to live together peacefully and if a conflict happens how to resolve it in calm and peaceful manner. Inspired by these lessons, he decided to spend his life helping others, saying, “I have a duty to me, my people, to my religion and to humanity to bring peace to people’s lives and resolve conflicts.”
He deals with all kinds of conflicts, from small arguments between couples to big problems about religion and family inheritance. Abdul Rahman stands out because he gets deeply involved in the community. He brings together important people, respected elders, scholars, and those who know a lot about the issues.
One of the most difficult cases that Abdul Rahman resolved was as following:
“In Joghrtan Village, a dispute over the ownership of a mosque between Sunni and Shia communities created tensions. Originally constructed by Sunnis, Shias had gradually started praying there and claimed ownership over time. The matter was brought before the Council of Scholars in Injil District, and, in collaboration with the Head of Hajj and Endowments, a committee was formed to investigate the issue.
Moulavi Abdul Rahman Sadiqi, heading the committee, along with its members, meticulously examined documents, evidence, and statements from local elders. Their thorough investigation led to the conclusion that the mosque historically belonged to Sunnis, and Shias had no involvement in its construction or ownership. Both parties accepted this decision, and the dispute between the Sunni and Shia communities was peacefully resolved. As a result, both groups now coexist peacefully in Joghrtan Village.
The resolution not only brought mutual acceptance between the Sunni and Shia communities but also ensured a peaceful sharing of the mosque. The decision made by Abdul Rahman Seddiqi, through the committee’s findings, fostered harmony and understanding between the two sects, contributing to a peaceful coexistence in the village.”
Another case that he resolved during his years of hard work is as following:
“In Nowin Sofla Village, a land dispute between a Tajik and a Pashtun prompted concerns of escalating tensions between the two communities. The disagreement centered around a piece of land, with both parties having supporters and the potential for a major conflict arising. To address the issue, Moulavi Abdul Rahman Sadiqi took on the role of mediator.
During the mediation process, the he was engaged to find a resolution. The seller claimed to have sold the land to the buyer several years ago, and the buyer had accepted it without objection at the time. The mediator, Moulavi Abdul Rahman Sadiqi, suggested that the parties verify the size of the land during the handover and accept that as the deal because it was the actual land which was sold to the buyer and advised against initiating any conflict. Both parties agreed to this approach, and the issue was peacefully resolved without any significant confrontation. A consensus was reached on the size of the land, leading to the restoration of peace in the village.
As a result, the successful resolution not only prevented a potential ethnic conflict but also brought a sense of fairness and justice to both the Tajik and Pashtun parties involved in the dispute. The agreement on the land’s size played a crucial role in ensuring harmony and averting further tensions in Nowin Sofla Village.”
Abdul Rahman learned a lot from the Strengthening Social Cohesion in Afghanistan (SSCA) Project, a program funded by the Search for Common Ground organization and implemented by the Razi Social Development Organization.
He says: “This project helped me become a better mediator by providing special training on resolving conflicts. It focused on understanding the reasons for conflicts and using effective strategies to solve them which I can use in the future to bring peace to my community. I appreciate the project’s emphasis on involving the community and using traditional ways of mediation.”
Thanks to the Search for Common Ground, Abdul Rahman is now not just a mediator in his community but also a symbol of how community-focused programs can make a real difference. His story shows that with the right training and support, individuals can bring positive change to their communities.
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