News / WeRise
‘Muslim women hold the key to their own empowerment’
A small hall in Bradley Stoke is buzzing with powerful positive energy as a collective of Muslim women discuss the opportunities and challenges they face.
Among them is Shaista Gohir OBE, chair of Muslim Women’s Network, Zlakha Hussain, founder and CEO of Apna Haq, Shahein Taj OBE, executive director of Henna Foundation and Dr Nazia Hussain, lecturer in sociology at Birmingham University.
Shahein Taj, Nazia Hussain and Aaliyah Hussain – three of the panel members at the launch of WeRise
Academic and activist Aaliyah Hussain is the brains behind the event, held to mark the official launch of WeRise, an organisation dedicated to the empowerment of Muslim women and tackling racism, injustice, sexism and extremism.
is needed now More than ever
“Muslim women have a long and active history of demanding their rights, and like women all across the world, have been at the forefront of social justice movements,” she tells the audience of representatives from local organisations, schools, police and communities.
“Women hold the key to their own empowerment, on their own terms, and do not need ‘saving’.
“But change doesn’t happen by itself. WeRise is more than an organisation, it is a movement and a call for Muslim women in Britain to be the change they want to see.”
The panel discussed opportunities, as well as challenges facing Muslim women
A panel discussion tackles key issues including; the main barriers to Muslim women’s empowerment today, the opportunities to work for positive change, racism, sexism and extremism.
“Race equality and gender equality are fundamentally crucial to each other,” says Aaliyah.
“We want to shatter the misconception that a Muslim woman has to choose between her faith and feminism. It’s thinking about women’s rights and empowerment from a faith perspective.”
Talking about feminism and faith, Shaista Gohir adds: “All of us want equality but our journeys are all different. There is a lack of understanding amongst secular organisations.
“We all need to work together because the end goal is the same.”
Aaliyah Hussain wants to provide a safe space for Muslim women to speak out
WeRise is founded on the principles of independence, intersectionality and inclusivity.
Aaliyah secured a small amount of funding from South Gloucestershire for the launch, and the work of the organisation includes community outreach, workshops, training, campaigns and advocacy.
It may have humble roots in Bristol, but Shaista predicts it will soon be known across the country, as she praises Aaliyah’s honesty and willingness to speak out.
Commenting on the rise of Islamic feminism, Shahein Taj adds: “Unfortunately, the patriarchy has been such that women have had to take a stand.”
But it is the media and current hostile environment that are identified as some of the greatest barriers to Muslim women’s fight for equality.
“There are the Muslim women I see around me and then there is this media representation of Muslim women,” says Nazia Hussain, commenting on the media narrative around Muslim women.
“It’s about gendered racism and nothing else. As a mother raising a daughter, I feel we all need to be very actively addressing this issue of gendered racism in this country.”
The meeting also reflects on the opportunities ahead, the power women have when they take a stand and the positive change they can instigate.
Read more: Rising up against injustice, discrimination and extremism
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