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WISE members propose national launch of Jihad Against Violence at first regional meet in Pakistan

In a unique show of unity and common purpose, NGO leaders, religious scholars, and educators convened in Islamabad March 14, 2010 for WISE's first Pakistan regional meeting. The one-day event was designed to establish collaboration between members of the WISE network on the ground and to formulate a cohesive WISE project to further women's rights in Pakistan. Twenty-eight women and men, a vast majority women, from Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar gathered for the meeting that was successful in sparking conversation between these various role players within Pakistani society that often operate only within their respective networks. In particular, religious groups and NGO representatives typically refrain from collaborating with one another, each group perceiving the other has having opposing perspectives.

Participants were more at ease with each other after a morning spent in leadership and team-building training with Wali Zahid, CEO of Skill City, a training and coaching firm that specializes in addressing leadership and management issues, taking into account Asian cultures. Safeer Ullah Khan of Bedari, a women's rights NGO in Pakistan, later offered a presentation on the group's partnership with WISE in advocating against domestic violence in the northern Jhelum District - a project under WISE's Jihad Against Violence campaign. The participants finally ended the day with a brainstorming session where participants agreed that addressing violence was a major priority in Pakistan and an awareness campaign should be organized to tackle the issue. Attendees proposed ideas for cooperation, for example women working at madrassas offered to share their curriculum with the media and NGOs; scholars at the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) offered to provide booklets that address women's issues within an Islamic framework; and Maulana Azad, Imam at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, spoke about his madrassa's activities. Participants individually outlined project ideas as well as resources they could offer. Based on these recommendations, an action plan will be developed by the WISE network in Pakistan.

"An excellent workshop in helping me recognize my inner self. Very informative & highly interactive."
--Syeda Rafia Mazhar, Assistant Research Associate, Uks Research, Resource & Publication Center on Women & Media

"We are looking forward to continue this interaction along with the other activities such as elimination of violence against women and girls."
--Saleem Malik, Executive Director, Bedari

"... Your efforts to take along diverse groups are commendable..."
--Samina Bashir, Assistant Professor, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI)

Journalist Ishrat Hyatt, who was in attendance at the regional meeting, wrote an in depth article about the event in The News International newspaper: "Equal status for women under Shariah demanded".

To see more photos from the Pakistan regional meeting and other WISE activities in Pakistan, please click here.

ASMA staff meets with Uks Research Center in Islamabad

Sabeeha Rehman and Lensay Abadula met with Tasneem Ahmar, director of Uks Research, Resource & Publication Center on Women & Media. Initially conceived as a research, resource and publication center, Uks (reflection) became the first civil society organization in Pakistan with an independent radio production house. An all-female team of journalists and broadcasters runs Uks radio project, though male producers are used on a project-to-project basis. Uks provided ASMA staff with a compilation of the English transcriptions of its radio broadcasts titled, "Hamari Tarraqui, Hamaray Masael" (Our Development, Our Problems). Read more about Uks at: www.uksresearch.com.

Women Aid Trust (WAT) Celebrates Women's Day in Islamabad

Women Aid Trust (WAT), dedicated to alleviating the suffering of women in Pakistani prisons, celebrated International Women's Day in Islamabad by honoring women who have achieved remarkable success in empowering women and have emerged as role models. Women were called upon to share their stories and as each woman related her experiences amazing tales of courage and tenacity unfolded, ranging from an ex-prisoner turned receptionist, to a highly successful businesswoman, from NGO leaders empowering women in rural areas, to attorneys who are advocating for the legal rights of women. Sabeeha Rehman presented on the WISE program and the mandate of the WISE Shura Council. Read more about WAT at: www.wat.com.pk.

ASMA highlights importance of interfaith work at International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI)

ASMA's Sabeeha Rehman gave a presentation to 200 students and faculty of IIUI on 'Interfaith Dialogue in the U.S.' Sabeeha outlined a model for interfaith dialogue using the history of Muslims in the U.S. as a backdrop. During a Q&A session, attendees expressed an interest in the approach to interfaith dialogue in Pakistan. A reverse model was discussed, that of a Muslim-majority population engaging minority religions in the discourse, with a commitment to integrating faith communities into the fabric of society.

The Women"s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) is a program of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) and the Cordoba Initiative (CI). ASMA aims to elevate the discourse on Islam and foster environments in which Muslims thrive through interfaith collaboration, youth and women"s empowerment, and arts and cultural exchange. The Cordoba Initiative works to improve relations between the Muslim World and the West by offering innovative, viable, and sustainable solutions with concrete outcomes. The mission of WISE is to build a cohesive, global movement of Muslim women that will reclaim women"s rights in Islam, enabling them to make dignified choices and fully participate in creating just and flourishing societies.