Arabs and Israelis are living, eating, learning and having fun. Many women from the Middle East have got rid of scarves on heads and scars on hearts, at least for a few days as they are in India now, learning lessons of love, peace and freedom.

With over 150 participants from Israel, Iran, Jordon, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, Ethiopia and Afghanistan, 55 Iraqi youngsters are taking part in a month-long training programme at Art of Living Centre here.

Alex Gutman from Israel said: “We’ve love, friendship and smiles here and this is what we need the most back home. We need to take this feeling home and spread it.”

“I might be executed by our government for having made friends with Israelis and having talked to the media,” said the young woman from Iran. Dror from Israel said: “I had sleepless nights due to stress during war. Now, I’ve found solace.”

Noor Ul Huda from Afghanistan feels at home in India, he said. He wants to share the invaluable experience that he earned here with people back home. “People in war-affected areas need violence-free society, stress-free mind and disease-free body,” said Dinesh Ghodke, in charge of training for the Iraqi team.