File:Rahat Naqvi 2009 (cropped).jpg

English: 29 November - 19 December 2009 University of Calgary education professor Rahat Naqvi had the opportunity to meet with U.S. organizations involved in efforts to promote interfaith understanding during a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program on the theme of inter-religious dialogue. Naqvi’s research focuses on literacy development, integration and learning of minority language students. The State Department-sponsored program took her from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Dallas and New York where she met with government officials, academics, religious and community leaders working on initiatives to promote tolerance, multicultural mindsets and diversity. “This program broadened my perspective on the U.S., its history and culture and I came away with the sense that the Obama administration’s efforts around inter-religious dialogue and opening up to Muslims are genuine,” Naqvi said. “I see all these initiatives as part of building bridges and promoting ways to better understand how we might live well in today’s world.”