They wanted to make real change happen.
This idealism expressed in kitchen table conversations in 1997 among a group of Muslim women, soon resulted in the formation of an organization.
In 1998, the Federation of Muslim Women came into existence to fulfill the need for a women’s group that would discuss growing community needs and strategize about ways to bring about change.
The group soon attracted women of various ethnic and national backgrounds and from a wide range of professions and ages.
From students to professors, and homemakers to grandmothers, and all identities in between, they joined together to work on pressing issues in the diverse Muslim community.
Initially, the Federation aimed high looking to found a women’s shelter and education center, but they soon realized that non-profit work is challenged by financial constraints and that more manageable objectives were needed for the group.
The women refocused their efforts on grassroots work to educate Canadians about Islam and Muslim practices, as well as, to work on the poverty issue at home and abroad.
With this new focus, the Federation found its stride and has been offering programs in many areas – from heath education, public speaking, nutrition and self-defense.
They have developed anti-racism teaching materials that is used by the public schools and worked with police and other agencies that provide support for victims of poverty and violence.
Among the many successful projects of the Federation was the “Stand-Up Speak-Out Leadership” initiative which was funded with a grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage and which empowered Muslim women to be front-line public speakers and presenters.
With a grant from the Olive Tree Foundation, the organization also ran the “Youth Community Connections” project which provided a safe haven for young females. The initiative resulted in leadership building, volunteerism, networking, education about Islamic issues and problem solving skills to combat issues and concerns.
On Sunday, November 23, 2008 the Federation of Muslim Women celebrated their 10th Anniversary with an elegant Gala event in Mississauga.
It was appropriate that the keynote speaker on this night of celebration was Dr. Monia Mazigh, a truly inspiring Canadian heroine.
With dignity, she spoke of her personal story of change.
“In my own case, in the last five years I have seen my husband disappear in circumstances akin to a thriller novel, then reappear, but changed forever. I have seen myself become a single mother living on welfare, then, very recently since the compensation, considered by people around me to be an exceedingly rich woman,” Mazigh read excerpts from her book to a rapt audience.
“I have seen myself change status from victim and wife of a presumed terrorist to modern-heroine of the likes of Laura Secord. All of these fast and volatile changes have affected not only me personally but also my husband and children.”
The Federation of Muslim Women has shown the Mazigh-like qualities of persistence and dedication since its formation – and it with these qualities that the women have been able to make real change happen.
More information on the Federation of Muslim Women can be found at www.fmw.org
(Muneeb Nasir is President of the Olive Tree Foundation, a public endowment foundation, and the Federation of Muslim Women (FMW) is one of the many unheralded non-profits that the Foundation is promoting to Canadians).
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