The Trump administration's efforts to deport people to countries around the world with which they have no connection echo an older set of captivity policies developed a generation ago to track, trap, and transport people "traveling while Muslim" in the context of the War on Terror.
Babar Ahmad, born in Britain to Pakistani parents, discusses his experiences in Bosnia and Chechnya supporting fellow Muslims in the face of genocide and repression; his journey through nearly 11 years of captivity in UK and US prisons; and his efforts to support healing, resilience, and conflict resolution.
Babar Ahmad is a British Muslim from London whose life has spanned genocide, torture, and death row. Educated at Imperial College London, he took up arms in defense of Muslims facing genocide in Bosnia and Chechnya. A victim of torture and police brutality, he then spent 11 years in UK and US prisons among cartel bosses, drug lords, and gang leaders. There, he learned the unspoken codes of survival and honed rare skills in mediating between warring prison factions. Emerging from captivity without bitterness, anger, or hatred, Ahmad now shares his hard-won lessons, offering a powerful testament to how hope can overcome despair and how bridges can be built even in the most hostile environments.
Darryl Li is associate professor of anthropology and associate member of the University of Chicago Law School.
Lunch will be served for those who register.
If you have questions or would like additional information on accessibility and accommodations in place for this event, please contact the Pozen Center at pozenhumanrights@uchicago.edu.