Women Promoting Peace: New Visions and Action Abstract: The One Light for Peace

By Sharmin Ahmad

“The One Light Institute” (OLI)  is currently engaged in developing an educational curriculum with  holistic and cross cultural learning approach for children, youth and community connecting them/us locally, regionally and globally. The Rainbow in a Heart dance drama ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKtHS93w-3Y) has been woven into OLI’s project promoting peace.
A  holistic approach to learning by using the multi-dimensional, multi-disciplinary, transformative and experiential educational tools  can awaken hearts to foster peace; peace within ourselves, our relationships and our surroundings. The root of violence ( active or passive) is ignorance about the scientific as well as the spiritual reality that we all are part of a single whole; that, Light which is the building block of creation, permeates through each of us. Our thoughts either positive or negative has the power to impact our surroundings including ourselves. This knowledge about  life’s creative  force and our interdependence in life’s web is not new to many but its’ implementation is the most challenging task, specially when we have grown into thinking and behaving otherwise. It’s easier for children and youth who are the harbinger of a new future and leaders of tomorrow to receive the holistic approach to learning and its’ application  in life. Women who have been the primary care givers  to their children and to generations,  when empowered with knowledge ,can be the bridge that will lead our new generation in creating a new paradigm of living with love , peace, beauty and harmony. This may sound like a utopian concept in an era of increased violence, exploitation of earth’s vital resources for the profit and pleasure of the few , structural oppression which breeds and feeds inequality and injustice and war in the Middle East, yet these realities must not stop us from  spreading the seeds of hope through our thoughts and actions. Keeping in mind that in the mathematical theory of chaos even the tiniest flutter of the wings of a butterfly can cause  a storm;  and the small acorn grows in to a mighty Oak tree.  

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2018 Events

April Spring Session: Reconciliation

Noted writer and social activist  Pecki Witonsky will deliver a talk on her book, ” The Cave of Reconciliation

July 14, 2018: Summer Session: Peace and Conflict Resolution Training Workshop On Family Conflicts.   

Fall event: To Be Announced. 
Project: Developing The Rainbow in a Heart Peace Guide for parents, teachers, students and community.

“The Rainbow in a Heart” Play

The First school based Mime Art stage drama of “The Rainbow in a Heart” performed by the students of Republic school.
Playwright: Sharmin Ahmad
Trainer: Bashar Murad
Organized by CTARA and OLI.

A much-needed, timely, and bold initiative by One Light Institute (USA), Tajuddin Ahmed Research Academy (Dhaka), and Republic School and College (Gazipur) to serve students, teachers, and community people in Gazipur area. I am proud of volunteer doctors, nurses, and organizers, especially Kamrul Islam Aftab and his mentor Sharmin Ahmad for making this happen.

Good health for all, rich and poor! Last December I talked on the need for promoting health and cultural literacies at the Republic School and College, Gazipur, attended by about 2000 students and parents. Among others, daughter of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad – Mrs. Sharmin Ahmad, Youth and Sports State Minister Mr. Zahid Ahsan Russel, and liberation war icon Barrister Amir Ul Islam also spoke emphasizing charity and sacrifices.

Prenatal Education (online) 2020

(Session 1) of Prenatal Education. July 3, 2020
​Education of a child: When does it begin? The role of parents in the holistic development of children. Participants from Bangladesh, Costa Rica and U.S.A joined in this interactive session, organized by the One Light Institute.

(Session 2) of Prenatal Natural Birth. July 10, 2020
Uva Meiner discussed about natural birthing and its’ benefit.

(Session 3) of Prenatal & Early Childhood Education. July 17, 2020
​This session focused on the stages of development, importance of reading together, learning new skills, deep breathing and meditation. Radia Tamim shared her translated book on Prenatal Education and Rosemary Mitu Rebeiro gave an overview of early childhood education and cognitive development.

(Session 4) of Prenatal & Early Childhood Education. July 23, 2020
The session began with a power point presentation on the stages of development by Dr. Sameena Chowdhury followed by a discussion on early childhood curriculum and evaluation by Rosemary Mitu Rebeiro, breathing practice by Uva Meiner and guided meditation by Sharmin Ahmad. Big thanks for your enriching presentations, participations and support.

Association of Asia Scholars Webinar

Association of Asia Scholars Webinar by Sharmin Ahmad on War of Liberation of Bangladesh: Reflections on Faith and Harmony.

Happy to share with you the enriching and engaging event with the members of the Association of Asia Scholars.
Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Swaran Singh and Dr.Reena Marwan for your gracious invitation, organization of the event and excellent moderations. Also big thanks to all the participants for your thought provoking questions and comments.

“The President’s Volunteer Service Award” Ceremony

Sharmin Ahmad, President of One Light Institute was among the twenty two distinguished personalities who received “The President’s Volunteer Service Award” for their dedicated social works and outstanding contributions to the national media. Recipients of the Medal and Top Gold Certificate also received a testimonial signed by USA President Joe Biden in recognition of their work. Among the twenty recipients, twelve guests were present at the ceremony to receive the award. They are: Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, Masuma Khatun, Sarkar Kabiruddin, Roquia Haider and Anis Ahmed of Voice of America; Wahed Hossaini, Sharmin Ahmad, Anthony Pius Gomes, Rosemary Mitu Rebeiro, Shamim Chowdhury, Shampa Banik and Anika Rahman of social service and activism fields. Radwan Chowdhury and Anthony Pius Gomes, the founders of Udion Foundation who organized the Socially Engaged “President’s Spotlight Award” event on behalf of Udion welcomed the guests with another presenter Anika Rahman. Mr. Gomes introduced the award recipients and Mr. Chowdhury presented an elaborate account of it’s foundation’s humanitarian works in Bangladesh. The Fairfax County President, Honorable Jeffrey Mckay, Vice- Chair, Fairfax School Board, Honorable Rachna Heizer handed over the awards at the event.

যুক্তরাষ্ট্র প্রেসিডেন্টের ” দ্যা প্রেসিডেন্টস ভলানটিয়ার সার্ভিস এওয়ার্ড ”  সম্মাননায় ভূষিত হলেন ওয়ানলাইট ইন্সটিটিউটের সভানেত্রী শারমিন আহমদ সহ ওয়াশিংটন ডিসি মেট্রো এলাকার বিশজন সমাজকর্মী ও গনমাধ্যম ব্যাক্তিত্ব ৷ বিস্তারিত জানুন

Ramadan Iftar-Dinner

One Light Institute’s Ramadan Iftar-Dinner | Buy Tickets in Potomac | Ticketbud
7 -9 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2023
Potomac Community recreation Center
11315 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854  

Unity is Power and Gives Strength
Keynote Speaker Imam Refai Arefin
Imam of Islamic Center of Potomac, ICCP

Prenatal Education Workshop 2022

Huge thanks to all the participants- parents, teachers- students, organizers, volunteers and those who had extended their support to make our pre-natal education workshop a big success. Special thanks to Aftab, founder of CTARA and his excellent team for working tirelessly with all smiles. The event was graced by respected Abdur Rahim, Family Planning officer of Kapasia.
The enthusiastic comments, feedback and evaluation portray the growing need of prenatal education in our family and society to promote and nurture peace.


This interactive day long workshop in Gazipur, was woven by lively discussions, reading, writing, art, music and meditation. The Prenatal Education workshop was designed from the book “The Rainbow in a Heart” . “The Rainbow in a Heart” is the first Published book of Sharmin Ahmad.