VISION

The Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity aims to address the current lack of women's participation in contemporary debates about the political, social, and religious concerns of Muslim women in the global community.

MISSION

WISE will create an opportunity for different voices to discuss issues of women's rights, roles, and responsibilities, and generate a broader, more inclusive framework for understanding global Muslim women's issues.

Objectives:

1. The development of a global consultative (Shura) council of empowered Muslim women, working toward gender and social justice who will put out positions on issues of relevance and concern to Muslim women globally.
2. To create a space in which Muslim women actively dialogue debate and collaborate on issues of Muslim women's rights and responsibilities.
3. To increase awareness of ongoing advancements in Muslim women's rights in Muslim societies in the West.
4. To reexamine the nexus of culture and religion in it's capacity as a barrier to Muslim women's advancement.
5. To build solidarity with the forum representatives who come from fragmented movements
6. To raise awareness of women's power in social change and philanthropy.

SPONSORS

ASMA Society, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 founded in 1997 in New York City, is an Islamic cultural and educational organization dedicated to fostering an American-Muslim identity and building bridges between American Muslims and the American public.

ASMA's philosophical objective is to strengthen a culturally American expression of Islam based on tolerance and on cultural and religious harmony and to foster an environment in which Muslims can thrive within a pluralistic society without compromising their essential values and beliefs.

Cordoba Initiative, founded in 2002, is a multi-faith organization whose objective is to heal the relationship between the Islamic World and America. Working through civil dialogue, policy initiatives, education, and cultural programs, the Initiative focuses on Thought, Action and Outcomes.

Its goals include:

• Increasing intercultural understanding, tolerance and respect, both in Muslim societies and in the West
• Improving the nature of the discourse about Islam in America and about America in the Muslim world
• Stimulating fresh thinking about peace in the Middle East
• Addressing the root causes of international terrorism and helping to prevent the horrors of another September 11

SUPPORTERS

William & Mary Greve Foundation
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
The Sister Fund
Ford Foundation
Global Fund for Women
Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation
Graham Charitable Foundation
Deak Family Foundation
Henry Luce Foundation
The Elizabeth Foundation
The Ms. Foundation