Qasid Ahmad
Université de Lorraine, CRPG, CNRS, France
As the child of immigrants/refugees who fled Pakistan for Germany due to religious persecution as Ahmadi Muslims, I’ve intimately experienced the complexities of adapting to a new culture while being part of a minority. My parents, especially, faced immense hurdles in establishing themselves in an unfamiliar land, lacking many of the opportunities I later had access to. Growing up as a Muslim in Germany, I’ve navigated the unique intersection of my faith and cultural identity, which has profoundly shaped my worldview.
As a Muslim, I hold a deep conviction in the principles of mutual respect across all lines of ethnicity, gender, and faith, and in the harmony between science and faith. In the realm of geosciences, I have observed a noticeable gap in representation for academics who practice a certain faith, particularly Muslim scholars. This lack of representation is a concern I am eager to tackle in my capacity as a DEI committee member at the EAG. My goal is to bridge this divide, ensuring that the geoscience community is as diverse in faith and belief as it is in other aspects, fostering an environment where all perspectives are valued and contribute to the richness of scientific discourse.