WOMEN
IN ISLAM is a coalition of professional and social activist
Muslim women representing a broad spectrum of human rights and social
justice interests. We were founded in 1992, in direct response to
atrocities perpetrated against Muslim women in the Rape Camps of
Bosnia. These atrocities crystallized our need to address issues
affecting the Islamic community generally, and women more specifically.
In 1995 the United Nations 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing,
China provided an international forum for Women In Islam to network
with other women from around the world to identify, access and coordinate
resources to advance the well being of all women. In 1999, we established
a Justice Committee in response to the wanton shooting of Ahmadou
Diallo. During the same year, the World Conference on Religion and
Peace conference on Action for Common Living: The Role of Religion
in the New Millennium in Amman, Jordan provided another international
setting to advance our work.
Our organization is dedicated to the empowerment of women through
knowledge and practice of Islam. Centuries ago, Islam elevated the
position of women in society and treated them on equal and equitable
standing with men, and in some cases, gave them even higher status.
Islam prohibits the oppression of any of humanity - women, children,
the elderly, the sick, the wounded, and the physically challenged.
The hungry must be feed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered,
and the wounded or diseased given medical care, regardless of their
political views. Our mandate is to reclaim that Legacy.
We
seek to provide a forum for action to improve the quality of life
for Muslim women at home and abroad. Our objective is to address
issues pertinent to Muslim communities worldwide and build understanding across cultural boundaries in the interest of global social justice.
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