Phyllis Rodriguez and Aicha el-Wafi have a powerful friendship born of unthinkable loss. Rodriguez' son was killed in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001; el-Wafi's son Zacarias Moussaoui was convicted of a role in those attacks and is serving a life sentence. In hoping to find peace, these two moms have come to understand and respect one another.

Why you should listen

Phyllis Rodriguez is an artist, a teacher and a social justice activist. On September 11, 2001, her son Greg died in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Rodriguez and her husband wrote an open letter, "Not in Our Son's Name," calling on President Bush to oppose a military response in Afghanistan.

Aicha el-Wafi is an activist with the French feminist group Ni Putes Ni Soumise, working with Muslim women. Her son, Zacarias Moussaoui, was tried in relation to the attacks on US soil, and faced the possibility of execution if convicted.

In November 2002, Phyllis Rodriguez and several other relatives of victims of the attacks were invited to meet Aicha el-Wafi. Rodriguez and el-Wafi have since appeared together throughout Europe and the US, telling their story of reconciliation and forgiveness.

What others say

“Our suffering is equal. Yet I'm treated with sympathy; she is treated with hostility.” — Phyllis Rodriguez, on Aicha el-Wafi

Rotary's Friendship Exchanges are conducted in peaceful nations, yet those of us in Rotary have built bridges and made friends across continents. Our Rotary Youth Exchange students choose several countries they would prefer to experience with the exchange program, and also meet many additional exchange students from all around the world.  Friendships are built for a lifetime.

Ambassadorial scholars study abroad with all expenses paid thanks to Rotary and not only further their education, but participate in service projects and become immersed in another culture.  This, too, is peace-building.

Rotary Peace scholars are trained specifically in conflict mediation and hone their verbal skills to help communities in turmoil.  

Peace is promoted with new friendships across boundaries, whether they be country boundaries or cultural boundaries.