Words become Action: 1st Annual DC Women’s Conference
Marches, protests and many celebrations marked the last weekend: The Weekend of Women. Dar al-Hijrah did not disappoint in actively participating in the Weekend of Women with its first annual Women’s Conference in partnership with United Muslim Relief. It brought about a day full of strong women, motivating talks, important action courses, a bazaar and an evening gala.
Dressed in all pink, a small girl walked up to the podium reciting Qur’an in a melodic soft tone. She left the audience floored and wanting more as Iaesha Prime introduced the conference and served as the days’ facilitator. The funny Yasmin Elhady flawlessly emceed the day away and introduced the first section: Beauty and Brains panel on Education featuring Nisa Muhammad, Dr. Zainab Alwani and Rahima Abdullahi.
Education and its importance in the lives of women and their families took center stage. Nisa Muhammad acted as moderator of the educational panel and spoke about the extreme importance of being actively a part of the college experience and to “allow children to make mistakes in order to grow.” Rahima Abdullahi, who is the acting principal of Washington International Academy, focused on schools and the different avenues one can take from home, public and private Muslim education. She especially emphasized the importance of being an active participant in your child’s education.
The last to round out the education panel was Dr. Zainab Alwani, the first female jurist in North America and the Founding Director of the Islamic Studies program at Howard University. She brought an understanding to what Sharia is and how it relates to women, especially considering that women are the facilitators of the Ummah. With the first panel focusing on the importance of education and knowledge, especially as females in a male-dominated verse, the next panel shifted gears to health and wellness.
Let’s Talk Taboo Health and Wellness was the second panel that breached many topics that are usually not broached in any setting from FGM, sex and mental health. Heba Hariri, a counseling psychologist took the stage to speak about the myths and facts of mental health, a topic that is usually discarded and alienated in most households. Next was Dr. Rashidah Abdul-Khabeer, an epidemiology nurse and advocate, who truly grabbed the audience with her hard-hitting truths about intimacy and reproduction. She not only spoke about topics that are never breached outside friend groups but emphasized ways in creating an open dialogue to create a better existence for coming generations.
Last was Gynecologist Dr. Safia Mahamud, who truly introduced the many forms of FGM and how detrimental it is in many societies — where Culture is so strong. The speakers covered difficult issues that not only affect many people but also hinder the coming generations when there is no education, awareness and advocacy.
Real Talk: Entrepreneurshipwas the conferences’ foray into women empowerment through business. Khadijah Abdullahi: owner of Muslim Nannies and Rahmah: AIDS non-profit, Bayan and Amani Jondi: founders and owners of Zeena Modest Clothing, Kiran Yasin: Funeral director of National Memorial Park and Rawan Elbaba and Omama Al-Taleb: founders of Layali modest lifestyle webzine, all spoke about the many stresses and blessings of being business founders and owners as well as pioneers in their field. All in separate fields that only collide through their consumers, each speaker highlighted the underlining passion needed to create and stay steadfast into realizing your future. They emphasized the highs and lows, the necessity of mentorship and the need for consistency and perseverance.
Act up, Act out: Activism from Community to Government featured Dalia Mogahed, Tuqa Nusairat, Abrar Omeish and Asha Noor. This panel gave pointed marks in how to engage and where to start in a local, state and federal level. Tuqa Nusairat: Deputy Director of D.C. International Affairs think-tank stressed the need to educate oneself through thorough research, to learn how policy is made and where and how you can hold your officials accountable. Abrar Omeish emphasized engaging politically through PACs and interest groups and especially voting because every person makes a difference.
Programming and outreach director of CAIR-Michigan, Asha Noor brought racism, activism and social justice to the forefront with “our faith is not colorblind but a faith that transcends race, moves beyond and stands up to oppression.”
Last to speak was the incomparable Dalia Mogahed: President and CEO of Mogahed Consulting. She began highlighting how Islam is indigenous to America and how we have transcended Muslim in America to American-Muslims. She also highlighted six action points in how to be conscience?
- Start inside
- Educate with Facts
- Don’t Accept Status Quo
- Organize across color and Creed!
- We need to Support and Amplify other women.
- We need to take back our country by voting locally, statewide and federally.
The conference ended with a quick wrap up by Iaesha prime and a motivating dua that willed each participant to go out and do more for their community. With the end of the conference came the transformation of the banquet room and foyer into the next part of the conference: The Gala. Sister Iaesha Prime once again opened the floor and was the nights’ emcee.
The Gala served as a lighter affair that held awards for the generous volunteers and staff members of Dar al-Hijrah’s community, an entertainment session performed by the poets Hanan Seid and Jinan Shbat as well as a comedic score by the funny Yasmin Elhady.
The night also featured the keynote speaker: Imam Zaid Shakur, who reiterated how women have inspired him just as much as Malcolm X and MLK and the need to smash the idols that is all the isms (Sexism, Racism, etc.).
The First Annual DC Women’s Conference came and went with a flourish that empowered facilitated action.
