09 July 2010

Role of Muslim Women in Enriching American Society Spotlighted

Convention session focuses on initiatives of four Muslim-American women

By M. Scott Bortot
Staff Writer

Chicago — Four Muslim-American women — an educator, a politician, a publisher and a social worker — are leading initiatives that touch the lives of thousands of Americans.

On July 3, these women shared their stories with hundreds of others at the “Standing Strong: Women Creating Legacy Communities” session of the Islamic Society of North America’s annual convention in Chicago.

Moderated by human rights activist Aisha Al-Adawiya, the session highlighted Muslim-American women who combine faith with talent to improve their society. One way to start building a community is by running for political office, which is what Rashida Tlaib did in 2008 — and won.

The child of Palestinian immigrants became the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan state House of Representatives. But getting there was not easy. Without name recognition, Tlaib campaigned door to door in her district, walking so much that she went through several pairs of shoes.

As part of her campaign strategy, Tlaib delivered cards to residents promising them a visit.

“When I showed up, people were like, ‘You actually came. You came to my house,’” Tlaib said, adding that most people thought she would send volunteers in her place. “It just motivated me more because of the smiles on their faces with the assurance that possibly there would be change and possibly there would be someone there [for them] that would be a good public servant.”

Tlaib won 44 percent of the vote in the eight-candidate Democratic Party primary. She garnered a whopping 90 percent of votes in the general election. Her district is 40 percent Latino, 30 percent non-Latino white, 25 percent African American and 2 percent Arab American.

“It is wonderful that many of my residents know that I am Muslim and call me when they want to do something special for my son during Easter and give him an Easter basket. ... It’s really wonderful because they accept me and they know that Islam is a very compassionate religion through the work that I’m doing,” Tlaib said.

Since coming to office, Tlaib has provided free tax-preparation service to low-income families, offered case management to residents on such issues as human services and utility assistance, and distributed more than 9,000 free books to children to increase literacy.

Tlaib said she hopes other Muslim women follow her example of community engagement.

“I can’t wait to see many of my Muslim sisters out there doing the same thing that I’m doing … and being genuine, because we are females and Allah made us that way, we are always in our hearts able to do [politics] in a very unique way,” she said.

Robina Niaz, a Pakistani-born immigrant to America, did not always want to be a leader. But after working for years in New York City as a social worker, she saw a need to help those without a voice in her Muslim community.

“I was very reluctant to accept the title of leader,” Niaz said. “I thought that is not what I do, that is not what I am, I am just an ordinary worker and I’m serving humanity.”

In 2004, working from her kitchen table, Niaz founded Turning Point for Women and Families, a New York-based organization that addresses domestic violence in the Muslim community. Today, more than two dozen volunteers work with her to help women and children in need.

Domestic abuse cuts across lines of faith.

“I worked with many Muslim women and non-Muslim women, and what I saw was this intense denial about an issue that was ripping the fabric of our homes,” Niaz said. “I believe that if our homes are not safe, if women can’t live life without violence, if children can’t stop being abused, then you can’t have societies that are either nurturing or compassionate.”

Niaz’s good work is not going unnoticed. In 2009, Cable News Network named her a hero in its “Protecting the Powerless” category, and the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center at Georgetown University in Washington featured her as one of its 500 most influential Muslims.

For Niaz, standing up for what is right is an integral part of being Muslim.

“As Muslims, we are reminded that if we see injustice going on anywhere, even if you have to bear witness against your kin or yourself, you do it,” she said.

During the 1990s, Tayyibah Taylor noticed that Muslim-American women lacked a voice in the media that defined them. Rather than complain, she decided to do something. Rather than work in mainstream media, Taylor decided to create an alternative that focuses on Muslim women.

The result was Azizah magazine.

“Azizah magazine is dedicated to be the voice of Muslim women,” Taylor said. “It is dedicated to sharing our stories and allowing Muslims to have the conversation about our issues instead of other people talking about us and setting our agenda.”

The news media are a powerful tool in the hands of Muslim women.

“Media is a way to shape opinions. And if people have a negative opinion about us … it is not for them to change, it is for us to create the change,” Taylor said.

Taylor has developed a formula for Muslims that she said will build strong communities. Called the Seven T’s, it is based on takwa (piety), thankfulness and talent, for starters.

“I believe that Allah, to whom is ascribed all majesty and perfection, has placed in each and every one of us more talent than we can use in seven lifetimes,” she said. “It is incumbent on us to recognize what talents you have within you and use that not only for the sake of your family and your community, but also for the larger umma, and God willing, for nature and for the world.”

Tenacity, thoughtfulness, tenderness and tawakkul (placing trust in God) are the other T’s.

Taylor stressed the importance of tenacity for Muslim women to achieve their goals.

“I believe that we can either choose to be spectators to our own destinies or shape and control that destiny. It is a very powerful idea,” Taylor said. “You have to have perseverance and tenacity to really create the community that we want.”

Debbie Almontaser’s legacy as an educator is a study in perseverance.

Seeing a need for her community to learn about Arab culture and history, Almontaser founded the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn, New York. The academy is the first English-Arabic public school in America that offers courses that focus on Arabic language and culture.

A former principal of the academy, Almontaser is working toward a doctoral degree in urban school leadership education. But she doesn’t want to stop there.

“I am committed to making the Arabic language an additional foreign language option in the New York City public schools,” Almontaser said.

With nearly two decades of experience in education development, the daughter of Yemeni immigrants does more than teach. Almontaser spearheaded the adoption of Arab Heritage Week in New York and is active in interfaith work. For Muslim women to make a difference, she said, they need to engage their communities.

“Stay focused and continue to think about expanding your role in this society. This is our country, and it is our role and responsibility to take on such matters to pursue happiness and pursue anything that we set our minds to,” Almontaser said. “This is what this great country is about. It is about learning and understanding the great diversity that exists within the country and that we cultivate and galvanize collaboration and coordination to serve the betterment of humanity.”

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)