UN / PEACE ADVOCATE ALHANISLAM

Maryam Bukar Hassan, also known as Alhanislam, a Nigerian poet, human rights activist, and Pan-Africanist renowned for her impassioned advocacy on social issues, was designated United Nations Global Advocate for Peace and met with Secretary-General António Guterres and other officials at UN Headquarters in New York. She also performed at the Central Park Summerstage. UNIFEED / COURTESY OF CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE

• Video Length: 00:02:31
• Production Date: 5 August 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: MARTHA AMA AKYAA POBEE; ANTONIO GUTERRES
• Corporate Name: DEPARTMENT OF PEACE OPERATIONS - DPO
• Subject Topical: PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS; PEACE; YOUNG WOMEN; ADVOCACY
• Geographic Subject: NIGERIA
• MAMS Id: 3433891
• Parent Id: 3433891
• Alternate Title: unifeed250805g

Description

STORY: UN / PEACE ADVOCATE ALHANISLAM
TRT: 02:31
SOURCE: UNIFEED / COURTESY OF CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 25, 27, 28 JULY 2025, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Aerial shot, exterior United Nations Headquarters

25 JULY 2025, NEW YORK CITY

2. Various shots, Peace Advocate Maryam Bukar Hassan (AKA Alhanislam) meeting with Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee and other officials
3. Med shot, Alhanislam signing document
4. Med shot, Alhanislam receiving framed diploma from Pobee
5. Wide shot, group photo
6. Various shots, Alhanislam meeting with Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming
7. Med shot, Alhanislam and Fleming holding framed diploma

28 JULY 2025, NEW YORK CITY

8. Med shot, Alhanislam meeting Secretary-General António Guterres
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Maryam Bukar Hassan (AKA Alhanislam), Global Advocate for Peace for the Peace and Security Pillar, United Nations:
“Poetry is an art form that evokes emotions. It is one that actually leverages emotions to actually get in people to doing the work. Because I have this ideology where I believe that if you cannot inspire, then you cannot lead. And so, poetry is an art of inspiration, and it can change mindsets. Now, poetry in itself might not necessarily change the world, but it can inspire people to take action. And when people take action, then the world will change.” [

COURTESY OF CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE - 27 JULY 2025, CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE, NEW YORK CITY

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, United Nations:
“I'd like you to join me in giving a warm welcome to our first ever United Nations Global Advocate for peace Maryam Bukar Hassan.”
11. Wide shot, Alhanislam walks on stage while Pobee walks away
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Maryam Bukar Hassan (AKA Alhanislam), Global Advocate for Peace for the Peace and Security Pillar, United Nations:
“Peace is not a line we cross. It is a choice that we make over and over and over again. Especially when it feels far away. Especially when it is the hardest.”
“Peace is the poem you write after the war in your chest has finally run out of ink.”
“And so today I speak peace into the bones of this world, into the rubble, into the rage, into the ruins. Because if war teaches us how to shatter, then peace must teach us how to stay, to stay soft, to stay human, to stay. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.”

Storyline

Maryam Bukar Hassan, also known as Alhanislam, a Nigerian poet, human rights activist, and Pan-Africanist renowned for her impassioned advocacy on social issues, was designated United Nations Global Advocate for Peace and met with Secretary-General António Guterres and other officials at UN Headquarters in New York. She also performed at the Central Park Summerstage.

Born on December 25, 1996, and hailing from Biu, Borno State, Alhanislam’s advocacy intensified after witnessing the hardships in her home region, especially the devastating impact of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Alhanislam’s work bridges art, activism, and feminism. She uses her platform to champion women’s rights, youth empowerment and peacebuilding in communities impacted by violence and displacement. Her poetry speaks to the resilience of women and youth on the frontlines of conflict and the power of creative expression to inspire change.

SOUNDBITE (English) Maryam Bukar Hassan (AKA Alhanislam), Global Advocate for Peace for the Peace and Security Pillar, United Nations:
“Poetry is an art form that evokes emotions. It is one that actually leverages emotions to actually get in people to doing the work. Because I have this ideology where I believe that if you cannot inspire, then you cannot lead. And so, poetry is an art of inspiration, and it can change mindsets. Now, poetry in itself might not necessarily change the world, but it can inspire people to take action. And when people take action, then the world will change.”

As the first Global Advocate for Peace for the UN Peace and Security Pillar, Alhanislam will continue to use her voice and influence to raise awareness of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas, promoting the leadership of women and young people in building sustainable peace.

Maryam’s role as Global Advocate is jointly administered by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), which together form the UN Peace and Security Pillar.