SISTERS announces 2011 Scholarships

In an effort to highlight the academic and civic achievements of young Muslim women in the DC Metropolitan Area, S.I.S.T.E.R.S initiated this scholarship in 2007. S.I.S.T.E.R.S aims to recognize and assist deserving students to achieve their higher education goals. All applications must be received by March 31, 2011. Click here for the application with instructions as to how to apply for this scholarship. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us at sistersinformation@gmail.com. You will notified only if you are chosen to receive the scholarship.

Hijab: More Than A Headscarf

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Sisters in Solidarity to Educate, Respond & Serve (SISTERS)

PRESENTS
Hijab: More Than a Headscarf

A Modesty Workshop for our young Muslimah

(ages 13 -24)

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

CAIR

453 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20003

• Discussion on the inner & outer characteristics of hijab
• Know your rights at school & on the job
• Demonstration on the various ways to wear hijab
• A Picture of Modesty
  (Showcase of Modest Attire)
• Hijab Swap
• Ice Breakers
• Giveaways!!!!

Support Our Sisters Expo

The first annual Support Our Sisters Expo took place at ADAMS Center in Sterling, VA this past Saturday. According to the event’s organizers, Sisters in Solidarity to Educate, Respond & Serve (SISTERS), the goal was to showcase the efforts of some of our local Muslim businesswomen. “We intentionally kept table rental price low [only $25] because this wasn’t about raising money as much as it was about promoting women-owned and operated businesses” Laurie Jaghlit, SISTERS’ Chairwoman explained. “Just within our small organization we have women doing remarkable things and we knew if we reached out to the local communities, we would find more of the same…and we did.”

Even though the temperatures outside reached over 100 degrees, a steady stream of shoppers filled the bazaar area. The vendors included those selling clothing, hijabs, jewelry, skin products, magazines, toys and an array of delicious delicacies at the SISTERS bake sale tables. Several businesses offering services were also represented including a real estate agent, a Quran school, and home health services. Two new area businesses were also in attendance; the Nur Café, a Center for Art, Fitness and Enrichment (CAFÉ) scheduled to open in September, 2010 in Falls Church, VA as well as a wellness studio and boutique located in the Tyson’s area. Hip Muslim Mommas, an organization for young mothers/families was another group present at the Expo. They have a network of young Muslim families in the Fairfax/Loudoun County areas who offer organized playgroups, mom’s night out and other events aimed at young families.

Along with the bazaar, the Expo offered several business-related workshops. Sr Inayat Sahin presented a workshop entitled, Turning your Passion into a Business. She shared with the attendees how she took her love for the environment and all that is green and turned it into her business, Beyond Green Living, a consulting company that teaches families how to “go green.” The room listened intently to Sr. Zainab Alwani expound on the lives and works of famous Muslim businesswomen throughout history. From some of the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) to various waqfs (endowments) set up and maintained by Muslim women, the audience learned how women run businesses were not only allowed, but also played a vital role in the development of the early Muslim communities. Finally, Sr Nadhira Al Khalili, staff attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) presented a “Know your Rights” workshop focusing on issues concerning women in the American workplace.

“The event was well received by the community and we look forward to doing it again in the future,” said Laurie Jaghlit. If you have a woman-owned business or organization and would like to be contacted about future SISTERS Expos, please email your contact information to sistersinformation@gmail.com. Please include the type of business/organization as well as a phone number.

SISTERS 4th Annual Tea: Success and Scholarship

By Laila Shaheen

Women’s empowerment and the means to achieve it were highlighted between sips of fragrant teas and cucumber sandwiches at the Sisters in Solidarity to Educate, Respond and Serve fourth annual fundraising tea last month at the Dar al Noor mosque in Manassas, Va. More than 80 ladies were in attendance as SISTERS honored the efforts of Karamah, an organization of Muslim Women lawyers dedicated to human rights.

Susan Riker, the development director explained Karamah’s goals.

“The program believes in the empowerment of Muslim women within their own spiritual and cultural contexts. In its judgment, only this approach will enable women to address and successfully eradicate the social ills in their communities,” Riker said. “For this reason, KARAMAH seeks to develop a comprehensive, just, and thoughtful Islamic jurisprudence, which takes into account the current concerns of Muslim women worldwide. To this end, KARAMAH has rooted its work in the best of the classical Islamic jurisprudential tradition.”

Karamah (which means, “dignity”) strives to achieve their goals through education and scholarship, with a focus on Islamic law and leadership development. Members of the group publish research papers, host lecture series and conduct seminars on various issues facing Muslim women globally. They also participate in various human rights and peace initiatives. Recently they hosted a lecture on the impact of Islamic law on global development.

One of their most intense programs is the law and leadership summer program. It is held each year in Washington D.C. and in Brussels. The program brings together more than two dozen participants from across the globe. The program’s goal is “to develop a global network and grassroots movement of Muslim women leaders so that they may share ideas, expertise and knowledge to collectively create beneficial change in their communities and countries. Women leave the workshop equipped with the legal tools they need to articulate their rights within their own religious and cultural contexts, as well as the leadership and conflict resolution skills needed to negotiate change using non-confrontational methods.,” Karamah’s communications officer Jina Hassan explained.

“The days were packed with inspirational lectures and a wealth of information," said Farhana Shah, who attended the camp in 2006.

Shah was most impressed by the message of the program. “Besides the laws and legalities information, it teaches humility. Unlike western feminists who like to throw a "gotcha" with their facts, Karamah's leadership program says,’ here is the evidence, but be gentle when using it; you don't want to demean anyone.’ This is the way of the Quran.”

This was a message repeated by fellow guest speaker and the summer program’s coordinator, lawyer Mais Abousy. She reiterated the importance of remembering who your audience is when discussing Islam and to be sensitive of that in the delivery of your message.

Many of the attendees were not familiar with the group’s work. SISTERS’ member, Laura Brown was impressed by what she heard. “This year's highlighted cause, Karamah, was an organization with which I had no familiarity, but after hearing about the incredible work that they do, I was motivated to give a donation.”

Afterwards, the guests were encouraged to donate to help sponsor one participant to the summer program which typically costs $2,500-$4000. To date, more than half of the money has been raised. Insha’Allah, if SISTERS can raise enough money, Karamah has agreed to recognize SISTERS by designating a “SISTERS Fellow” for the summer program. Donations will be accepted until the end of May via paypal on SISTERS website, www.sistersinsolidarity.com or can be mailed to SISTERS.

Donations of business attire were also collected during the tea for the non-profit group Dress for Success. The program provides clothing as well as career tools to women transitioning to the workforce. This collection will continue through May 15th.

SISTERS also awarded their annual scholarships to three very deserving students:

• High School Senior winner: Firdoos Mukati from George Mason High School in Falls Church, Va;
• College winner: Sumaya Sahin from Prince Georges Community College, Largo, Md;
• Graduate winner: Tahmina Ahmad from George Washington University.
  

As in the previous years, this year’s tea was another success of sisterhood. Al l the guests enjoyed it with many remarking how they now look forward to the annual event.

“Everyone was friendly and warm and I was glad to meet so many lovely sisters with whom I may have otherwise not had the privilege to cross paths,” described Cecilia Hanna, who hopes to attend the event next year. “I love the atmosphere of the teas - a beautiful setting where my lovely sisters push me to know more and do more for our community,” added Laura Brown.

Upcoming events for SISTERS include the Spring Garage Sale on May 15, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on June 5 and the Ramadan Soup Swap.

S.I.S.T.E.R.S Scholarship Winners

S.I.S.T.E.R.S is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 scholarships:

• The High School winner is Firdoos Mukati from George Mason High School in Falls Church, VA
• The College winner is Sumaya Sahin from Prince Georges Community College, Largo MD
• The Graduate winner is Tahmina Ahmad who attends George Washingtoin University, DC

S.I.S.T.E.R.S Announces Annual Scholarship for 2010

In an effort to highlight the academic and civic achievements of young Muslim women in the DC Metropolitan Area, S.I.S.T.E.R.S initiated this scholarship program in 2007. S.I.S.T.E.R.S aims to recognize and assist deserving students to achieve their higher education goals. This year, a one thousand dollar scholarship will be awarded to THREE of the most qualified applicants. One $1000.00 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior, one to a current undergraduate college student (a student with 12+ credit hours), and one to a sister currently in graduate school (a student with 9+ credit hours). In order to be considered for this award, all applicants are required to meet the following eligibility guidelines:

• Be a Muslim female.
• Be a D.C. Metropolitan Resident (D.C., Maryland, Virginia)
• Currently be enrolled in or accepted to a 2 or 4 year community college, university or graduate school.
• For undergraduate category, must be between 17-25 years old.
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better.
• Demonstrate an active participation in community service work.
• Submit a grade transcript.
• Complete a short essay component.
• Submit a letter of recommendation.
  

All applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2010. Click here for the application with instructions as to how to apply for this scholarship. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us at sistersinformation@gmail.com. You will notified only if you are chosen to receive the scholarship. Winner will be announced at our S.I.S.T.E.R.S Tea in April 2010.

S.I.S.T.E.R.S Annual Tea Honors Muslimat Al Nisaa Shelter

by Laila Shaheen

The following article first appeared in Muslim Link.

Domestic violence is a reality in 10 percent of the homes in the United States regardless of ethnicity, socio-economic status or education. That number includes those living in Muslim homes. Often times, women in abusive relationships who decide to leave will end up homeless. The hard economic crisis that we currently face is another factor in the increasing numbers of homeless women in the US. And again, this includes Muslim women.

On March 14th, Sisters in Solidarity to Educate, Respond & Serve (S.I.S.T.E.R.S) held their 3rd Annual Tea, where they honored one woman who has worked diligently to help alleviate the suffering of Muslim women who find themselves suddenly homeless. Sister Asma Hanif, operates a women’s shelter and clinic, Muslimat Al Nisaa, in the Baltimore area. The shelter offers a safe haven to Muslim women and children. While the concept and dream of opening the shelter was initially that of our late sister, Maryam Funches, Asma has carried on with her dream of her dear friend.

"We don't just provide a home but also services to help [sisters] thrive in this community," explained Hanif. Hanif spelled out how difficult it is to maintain a facility solely for Muslim women, because doing so prevents them from receiving any government grant money. "It's a poor business situation because we can only rely on the Muslim community to keep the doors open. But the sisters who come here are in a vulnerable state and see the shelter as a safe place.” During the question and answer portion of the presentation, Hanif was asked if she thought about opening the shelter to non-Muslims as a form of dawah. While she had considered it at one time, she pointed out that for every non-Muslim she accepted in, she would have to turn away a Muslim sister thus forcing her into a non-Muslim shelter system where her needs may not be met."
Each year, SISTERS honors and highlights the achievement of an organization or a person who is committed to empowering women. Past honorees include Women for Women International, an organization dedicated to helping women in war torn areas rebuild their lives and also, Azizah magazine one of the first magazines focusing on issues that concern Muslim women. This year’s focus centered on domestic violence and homelessness in the Muslim community. This important topic is often times ignored and even down played by community leaders but has recently returned to the forefront of discussion with the horrific death Aasiya Hassan earlier this month by her estranged husband and founder of Bridges TV, Muzzammil Hassan.

As the Tea continued, the issue of domestic violence was further discussed in a presentation by Sister Bonita McGee from the Peaceful Families Project, the only national organization committed to ending domestic violence in Muslim families.

"Abuse is about power and control and the belief that the abuser has a right to do it," explained McGee, a family therapist who has spent much of her career spreading awareness of domestic violence among Muslim leaders. "It is a pattern of behavior that happens again and again. There is a cycle to it." She described five types of abuse - the most common being physical and emotional abuse. However, McGee also went into detail on the lesser talked about forms including financial, spiritual and sexual abuse. She explained that Islam vehemently opposes any form of oppression and since domestic violence uses humiliation, cruelty and brutality to keep a person down, it is explicitly deemed unacceptable.

Some of the attendees were shocked by what they learned at the luncheon. "I had never heard of it," remarked Alexandria resident Halima Maknass, who was attending her first SISTERS event. "I never knew that Muslim women were abused." Others believed the issue is hidden for specific reasons. "I think [domestic violence] goes unnoticed because women who are victims of abuse are often not given the support and encouragement they need," said Saman Hussain.
Hanif and McGee are trying to change that.

During the course of the luncheon, while sipping flavorful teas and nibbling finger foods, the attendees raised more than $1,300 thus exceeding the goal which was to provide the shelter with land line phone and internet service for at least one year. “As Sr. Asma pointed out, the shelter depends solely on the support of the Muslim community, and SISTERS wanted to do our part.” said SISTERS Chair, Laurie Jaghlit. The luncheon was also an opportunity to meet new friends, strengthen sisterhood and network with like-minded women. "It was a fabulous lunch and I got a chance to meet more sisters and see what they all do," stated Sarah Ahmad at the close of the event.

Couponing for a Cause: S.I.S.T.E.R.S Blessings in Bargains Workshop

by Laila Shaheen

The following article first appeared in Muslim Link.

During these tough economic times when a paycheck doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it once did, SISTERS (Sisters In Solidarity To Educate Respond and Serve) hosted a timely seminar on couponing at Dar-al-Hijrah. Women from across the region filled the room, eager to learn how they might save on their family’s grocery bill.

“Your savings will astound and inspire you and others,” declared Laurie Jaghlit who
conducted the seminar. Using the example of a sister who was able to pay off her car early with the money she saved using coupons, Laurie highlighted some other benefits of couponing. “I have been able to triple what I normally would be able to donate to food shelves using coupons,” stated Jaghlit. Her exuberance over her savings seemed to catch on with many of the ladies who asked poignant questions about the strategies used to maximize savings.

The Blessings in Bargains Workshop was developed for two main reasons: To help sisters learn how to save money, as well as how to use some of their savings to help others by donating to local food banks.

The workshop detailed how to start the couponing process and effectively continue it to where it would become second nature to the shopper. Coupons are found in newspapers, mailers, online, on packages and at the grocery store. If the Sunday paper has more than one manufacture coupon insert, you might even want to buy multiple papers.

Once you have collected all the coupons, the trick is to find a way to organize them in a way that works for you. Laurie showed how she stacks all the same coupons, staples them together, cuts them, and uses several accordion files to store them. Amina Rubin, another couponing sister, showed how she files the inserts, dates them and then only cuts her coupons when she has matched them to a particular store or sale. Amina also explained how to shop at CVS and collect “extra care bucks” and shop with rebates at Rite Aid. She proudly held up her CVS receipt showing that through the course of last year she only spent $60 on over $1500 in purchases.

Once the coupons have been collected and organized, the next step is to shop; but to shop wisely. “Coupons work best if you can tie them to another deal, such as sale items or when the grocery store is doubling or tripling the value of coupons,” explained Laurie.
She then pointed to the tables displaying food and toiletries. “Everything we have here was either purchased for just pennies or was free.” The over 350 items on the tables were collected by four couponing sisters during the last two weeks. Workshop attendees were asked to bring food donations that were added to the SISTERS’ tables, all of which were then donated to Dar al-Hijrah’s food bank. The food bank has seen an approximate 50% increase in applicants of over the past year and the workshop made it clear that using coupons is an affordable and easy way to help stock local food shelves.

SISTERS has also set up a blog at http://www.blessingsinbargains.com to inform shoppers as to where the hot deals are in metro area. Anyone interested in receiving email alerts can sign up on the blog.

The enthusiasm of the sisters continued after the seminar when they decided to form a coupon club to swap coupons and advice. “Savings will be my motivation,” promises Sister Khudija Ilyas a workshop participant. “I feel like I’m paying too much these days for the same products, so I’ll give it a try.” She says her first step will be to buy the Sunday paper. The newly formed coupon club will meet once a month at Dar al Hijrah and focus on saving money, and also serve as a continuing donation source for the food bank, insha’Allah.

If your community is interested in hosting the Blessings in Bargains Workshop or you would like to join SISTERS and the coupon club, please contact SISTERS at sistersinformation@gmail.com.