Refusing To Be Held Back

Ishtiaq Ahmed 

London: British Muslim women are leading the way in many areas of life thus challenging and changing the family and community dynamics.

We are increasingly seeing some trailblazing work by British Muslim women with creative and innovative zeal and zest, refusing to be held by traditional cultural and social norms, and the intransigence of their immediate communities. They are also not put off by the barriers of racism and Islamophobia widely prevalent in British society  and deeply institutionalized despite claims to being open , fair and inclusive.

However, we are increasingly seeing British Muslim women across diverse Muslim diasporas showing ‘do-not-die ‘resilience to push forward. The success stories embrace politics, education, business & professional endeavors and social activism and entrepreneurship.

The Muslim Charities Forum (MSF), an umbrella platform for the UK based Muslim Charities, organized a special seminar in London on Monday, 22nd April to celebrate the leadership and achievements of British Muslim Women engaged in affecting the desired social change through the community driven charity sector.

In his foreword to the exclusive edition of the MSF magazine ‘The Forum’, Fadi Itani OBE, CEO of MCF, writes “In acknowledging the remarkable achievements of Muslim women who have overcome barriers and achieved success in different domains, it is crucial to acknowledge the distinct obstacles they encounter with the charity sector.” 

“To promote the empowerment of women in the charity sector, it is crucial to recognize that this endeavor encompasses more than just achieving gender equality. It also involves fostering an inclusive environment that benefits everyone involved.”

“We are proud to have assembled an extraordinary collection of accomplished female leaders and emerging leaders from diverse organizations and departments.”

The special and exclusive edition of the MCF magazine ‘The Forum- Inspiring Stories: The Blessings of Sisters’ features inspirational journeys of some twenty -five Muslim women from  across the Muslim charity sector in the UK.

The special seminar  had some poignant inputs from Dr Sofia Buncy MBE, Hanan Ashegh, Yashmin Harun BEM, and Zamzam Ibrahim.

In writing for the special edition of  the MSF magazine’ The Forum’  titled ‘ INSPIRING STORIES: THE BLESSINGS OF THE SISTERS , Dr Sofia Buncy, a specialist in community-based prisoner rehabilitation programme for Muslim women leaving prisons, highlighted some of the debilitating challenges faced by this cohort of Muslim women , for example , “stigma of being a prisoner, family and community rejection, lack of housing, lack of income, scarce work prospects, language barriers, unstable immigration status and many lacking in confidence and skills.” 

She uncompromisingly takes the view that the solution to many of these problems reside with the community. Much of the success of the programme based in Bradford is owed to the community taking the ownership .

Hanan Ashegh, a mental health practitioner who brings to the fore the challenges of working with refugees and traumatized displaced populations, in her piece for ‘The Forum’ wrote, “ When contemplating humanitarian charities, it is customary for most people to sympathize what they have been conditioned to see; a traditional list of vulnerabilities that begins, and often ends with women and children in need of protection from exploitation , as well as assistance to survive during difficult times. This becomes particularly relevant during challenging economic periods, in the aftermath of global pandemic, and ongoing political conflicts that leave behind the scars of war and displacement.” 

She goes on to ask, “Who, in your view, is better positioned to lead humanitarian projects aimed at supporting these vulnerable groups, especially women and children, than a woman equipped with the requisite skills?”

Hanan added, “However, it seems, for the most part, that beyond general discussions and support for lower-level roles women are not at the forefront of leadership roles in the charity sector- especially in the Muslim charity sector.”

Zamzam Ibrahim. A British- Somali activist, a fervent advocate of various causes related to social justice, education,and environment, writes, “Muslim charities must actively promote sustainable development and resilience building as integral components of their initiatives. It is imperative that we comprehend the significance of addressing the root causes of the climate crisis and strive towards long-term solutions. This necessitates investing in sustainable agricultural practices, clean energy projects, efficient water management systems and environmental conservation.”

Yashmin Harun BEM, the Founding Chair of Muslim Sports Association (MSA), wrote, “when I set out to find a football coach, I could not believe how difficult it was to find a female coach. It was clearly something that needed to be addressed and I began to probe why it was that there was so little female, Muslim representation across the sports sector. Surely there were many Muslims (Muslim Women) who felt like me, who were once keen footballers, athletes and badminton players who loved playing, but no longer had the opportunity because participating may mean compromising a cultural or religious values.”

Sher added, “Initially MSA sessions faced many challenges. Firstly, we saw resistance from the women themselves, secondly from the wider local community, and thirdly from the sector that had a lack of understanding of what Muslim women need to engage and participate in sports.”

She goes on to add, “Finally, the journey into sports and diversity is about creating an environment where one, regardless of their background, feels welcome, valued, and empowered to participate and excel in the world of sports. It involves ongoing efforts to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and promote a more inclusive and equitable sports community.