Muslim women seek positive change
SEEING a need to break barriers and diminish stereotypes, two mothers are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on their community by providing opportunities for women to build relationships and enhance the natural beauty and distinctive character of Islam.
Founders of the non-profit organisation, Institute for Learning and Motivation – South Africa (ILM-SA), Fatima Asmal and Azra Hassim, saw the need for positive change.
“The concept of always seeing the positive in a seemingly negative situation is part of the Islamic faith. The Qur’an states that ease accompanies every difficulty.
“It is for this reason that an entire session of the upcoming Muslimah Today conference will focus on the topic, ‘Recognising the Mercy of Allah (God) in Every Situation’,” said Asmal. Now in its sixth successive year, Muslimah Today is a conference organised by ILM, a branch of ILM-SA, and will take place on August 26 and 27 at the Al-Ansaar Hall.
It will be attended by women from around the country and has various aims, including inspiring attendees towards the holistic practice of the Islamic faith and fostering a spirit of sisterhood within the Muslim community.
Aslam said the conference was initiated in 2012 after noticing Muslim women were not given many platforms to come together and share experiences.
“We wanted to give women an avenue whereby they could experience Islam and understand it through other women. So, we invited women who have studied Islam, as well as women who have made contributions in other spheres of society, to come together and present talks.
“We encouraged women, who could afford to attend, to sponsor others who couldn’t. In this way, we succeeded in bringing together a diversity of women and there has been no looking back.”
Aslam, a mother of one, who lived in the UK for a year, said the UK Muslim community was active in propagating a peaceful Islam.
“In the UK, professionals, university students and other individuals sought to understand Islam in the form of short courses, workshops and weekly gatherings.
“When I returned home, I decided I wanted to try to make a positive change within the Muslim community and founded the organisation in 2006. It was later that Azra joined forces and it has been a beautiful relationship.”
The Morningside-based organisation renders assistance to underprivileged madrasahs in Trenance Park, Malukazi, Folweni and Lindelani, providing them with basic necessities.
The organisation also has a bursary programme for students.
The conference, which focuses on women empowerment, will include talks by well-known roleplayers in the community.
Businesswoman Shameema Shaikjee will discuss the positives of her journey with cancer, while Zaheerah Bham-Ismail, will talk on Overcoming Low Self-Esteem. Other talks are also scheduled.