Influential Muslim Women: Historic & Contemporary 3

Date: Saturday 27th April 2019

Time: 2.30-5.15pm

Location: Euston Road

As Muslim women it is important that we have relevant and relatable role models from whom to draw inspiration, those who reflect the values of both deen and dunya. Fortunately, we do not necessarily have to look beyond our communities for such inspiration.

Throughout Muslim history women have been in the forefront of society, taking active part in communal life in a variety of different roles, not only as mothers, daughters, sisters and wives. Not only were these women active community members and philanthropists, they were encouraged and well respected within Muslim societies.

Join us to explore the contributions made by Muslim women across historic and contemporary life. In the third of our Influential Muslim Women series, we will explore the invaluable contributions made by Naseebah bint Ka’ab and Dr Hawa Abdi.

Who is your role model? Come join us to discuss further.

This is a sisters’ only event.

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Thanks to all who attended our #InfluentialMuslimWomen series event looking at inspirational historic (#NaseebahbintKaab) and contemporary (#DrHawaAbdi) role models. It is amazing to have such exemplar and relatable personae who convey the power and influence women have had in the past and continue today in Muslim societies.

The sheer strength of character, confidence, assertiveness, faith in God and their roles in the forefront of society by both women discussed inspired us all.

We had an in-depth discussion about the challenges and opportunities we face as Muslim women. At Pass the Mic Sis we aim to empower and provide a supportive space where we can express challenges faced with the mindset of looking for avenues to move forward with a positive mental attitude.

It was great to continue discussions and networking over dinner!

Special shout-out to our host #RegentsPlace!

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Mental Health & Well Being: Stress at Work

Date: Saturday 16th March 2019

Time: 2.45-5.15pm

Location: Edgware Road (venue details disclosed to sisters who confirm attendance).

Research shows that Muslim women are unique in the sense that they face triple penalty discrimination – being women, being ethnic minorities, and Muslim. The stress that comes with having to deal with these pressures can impact one’s mental health, and left unchecked can lead to serious health problems.

Within the Muslim community mental health and well being is still quite the taboo issue. The stigma that comes with mental health is so strong that many will go untreated or counselled, and will suffer alone. The perception of what it means to be a sufferer of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues stops people from disclosing their problems. This is also an issue when approaching current and potential employers at the risk of being overlooked for jobs, promotions, or stimulating workloads.

However ground has been broken in mental health awareness across all sectors. Faith leaders and employers are being provided guidelines and training support to deal with members of the community and staff respectively that show concerns for their mental health and well being. From the design of work environments to support for coaching, training, and counselling, employers are being made responsible for their workforce. A healthy happy workforce is more likely to boost productivity, reduce the amount of annual sick leave and loss of work hours, and increase profits.

The aim of this workshop is to explore the various aspects of work life that can impact a Muslim woman’s ability to handle the various pressures that come with it. From level of responsibilities, workloads, working relations with bosses, colleagues, clients, and various consultants, to the specifics of hours, commute, expectations, and opportunities for training and promotions. What about our work and faith identities are they the one and the same or do we feel caught between the two? Is this an internal or external manifestation? Does potential discrimination faced at work contribute to this? How do Muslim women deal with this on top of their personal pressures?

This will be delivered through our specialists in the field talking about the different issues, support, and treatment available. Interactive activities will showcase the important cognitive behavioural therapy techniques that can help alleviate and address stress and anxiety. This will highlight the importance of mindfulness and compassion towards others as well as to oneself in not only coming to terms with mental health issues, but as a stress management tool.

The aim for the session is to enable sisters to:

1. learn ways to deal with work related stress or spot others in need of help
2. how to reconfigure one’s mindset to be more effective in dealing with it
3. different avenues and methods of treatment/counselling and support groups available i.e. where and who to ask for help

Our focus is exploring what works, what could be done better, and what can one do to begin making a positive and productive step forward.

Please note that this is a sisters’ only event and for security purposes venue details will only be disclosed to sisters who confirm their place.

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Light refreshments are available and any sisters interested can join us for dinner to continue discussions at a local restaurant after.

The nearest station is Colindale Tube Station. Bus stops for routes 32, 142 and N16 outside the building. Bus stops for either 292 or 303 bus routes a short walk away.

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Thanks to all who attended today’s sessions. Our specialists #DrIramSattar and #DrSophiaMohyuddin provided some very useful information, tips, resources and background to the topic with a good balance of Islamic perspective.

Shout out to our venue coordinator #AttiaAli who organised today’s venue! Jzk sis!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next event sisters!

Work-Life Balance – Can it be truly achieved?

Date: Saturday 9th February 2019

Time: 2.45-5.15pm

Location: Farringdon

As working Muslim women we are uniquely placed in a position whereby multiple pressures influence the decisions we make in our work and private lives. Everyone seems to know how we should live our lives better than we do. Not only do we face society’s cultural expectations as daughters, sisters, wives, mothers and aunties, there are also the Islamic guidelines to adhere to. A lot of which comes down to how the Quranic teachings are interpreted. How to balance such expectations with our own aspirations?

Muslim women cannot be all airbrushed with the same colour, we are as diverse as the world in which we live. The aim of the session is to explore the experiences of a range of professional Muslim women and how they maintain a balance between their work and personal lives (or not!). What works, what doesn’t, and what can be done better? What challenges were faced, opportunities sought, and life lessons learnt?

A panel of sisters will share their experiences followed by a Q&A Session to engage the audience. The richness of the conversation will be found in the variety of ethnic and professional backgrounds and personal statuses of the sisters on the panel; some of the sisters on the panel are married, have kids, others are single or divorced. We appreciate each and every one of them.

Please note that this is a sisters’ only event and for security purposes venue details will only be disclosed to sisters who confirm their place.

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Light refreshments are available and any sisters interested can join us for dinner to continue discussions at a local restaurant after.

The venue is a short walk from Farringdon Station (Thameslink, Metropolitan, Hammersmith&City and Circle lines) and St John’s Street bus stop. There may be some limited on-street parking, although it’ll be on a first come first serve basis pending availability.

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Alhumdulillah what a lovely session! We were pleased to have had #FahmidaRahman of #SteppingStonesStoke, #SamiraAli of @unwomen, and #FarahDualeh of @inspirehercoachingltd as our guest speakers today at our ‘Work-Life Balance: Can it be truly achieved?’ event.

There were many learning points and ideas to take away. Appreciated how the speakers fully engaged with the attendees, who were equally responsive. Look forward to the next one in shaa Allah!

Quick #shoutout to #AttiaAli who couldn’t make it due to an unforeseen emergency and @MEBDesignLtd for once again providing a great Central London venue. Alhumdulillah.