WOMEN IN ISLAM: THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK OUT
On April 25th, WFWP partnered with CARP (the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles), to host a panel discussion entitled: Women in Islam. Three Muslim women panelists and women of all ages gathered together in the Commonwealth Salon at the Boston Public Library to explore the topic. The panelists began by introducing themselves and the environment where they grew up. After their introductions, they answered questions posed by the audience. The diverse backgrounds represented in this event created a vibrant and meaningful discussion between the panelists as well as with the audience.
The first panelist to speak was Ayesha Anwar. She is a junior at Wellesley College studying to become a doctor while majoring in History. Her story weaved through an explanation of each of the five Pillars of Islam and the meaning of each pillar to her and to her family. The five Pillars of Islam are the basic tenets of Islam. They include Shahadah (declaring that there is no god, but God and Muhammad is God's Messenger), Salat (prayer five times a day), Zakat (giving to the needy), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), and the Hajj (the once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the center of the faith in Mecca). Ayesha gave short little examples and vignettes from her life.
The next speaker was Aliya Turner. She is a teacher in the Boston Public School system and a community activist. Aliya began with her coming of faith tale and then her journey to owning her beliefs. She grew up as a Black Muslim in the Malcolm X fashion; her grandparents and ancestors were not Muslim, but she grew up in her family with parents who were of the Islamic faith. As a teenager, Aliya began to search and to question her beliefs and her faith. She searched and came by her own resolve to return to Islam, a peaceful faith. While on her journey, she wrote poetry and a book for children. She read two of her works from her published books: one was a poem about the story of Adam and Eve and Aliya's frustrations with society and the other was her children's book meant to inspire young girls. Her words flowed together; they were beautifully descriptive and flowed in a rhyming structure. I am glad that our group included an activist and an artist because of the vibrant and thought provoking words she brought.
Women in Islam Flyer
The third and final speaker was Humera, a survivor of the Iranian revolution. The war began in 1979 when Humera was six years old. Given no choice, Humera had to go into hiding while her mother could only come occasionally to see her. At the age of 17, Humera came to the United States to start a fresh life and to gain her place in the world. Her inspiring story was about the strength and resilience one can muster in the face of real adversity. Her faith comes from her strength. She was an excellent addition to the panel.
After the panelists gave their introductions, the floor opened for questions from the audience. Questions included what it means to be a strong women, how can men help change the image of women, what the panelists would like others to know about being a Muslim women, and so on. It needs to be mentioned that the panelists drew from their respective experiences playing off each other to answer that, action as opposed to inaction, in the face of prejudice and hate is a strong solution. When you hear hateful, ignorant comments, the best solution is to say something or do something about it. Muslim women are not oppressed. They have the freedom to speak out. These women were shining examples of that.
In a conclusion to the event, WFWP held a ceremony to symbolize the sisterhood and reconciliation between the different faiths and women represented in the room. Roses were exchanged between participants as a gesture of love and appreciation between participants. The newly bonded sisterhoods created a warm environment making the room hard to leave. Discussions continued from the room through the building onto the Boston streets on that beautiful Saturday afternoon. We created bonds and made memories that day that lead to a more understanding and welcoming world.