|
Blessed Ramadan
|
As-Salaamu-Alaykum
Dear MWA Member,
On behalf of the MWA Board, Ramadan Kareem to you! This year once again, MWA started preparing for this blessed month in Shaaban. MWA members have rolled up their sleeves to serve their community through the annual Ramadan Rush for Rewards campaign. With the program's growth, the goal is to make an even bigger positive impact. It is inspiring to continue to see leaders empowered to participate in community organizing and take ownership in making a difference. It is certainly a beautiful cycle as we notice women volunteer to lead, and in turn serve as role models. This year, MWA welcomes college students who took the initiative to contact the organization offering their time to promote MWA's mission. MashAllah! Additionally, through MWA service projects parents have noted that children are internalizing the Islamic principle of charity. Hands-on service, leads to a greater empathy for those in need.
Organizations from other States have also been contacting us for more information about our programs. Chicago MWA members: YOU are making a difference! May you continue to be rewarded for your efforts. May your prayers be accepted and may you benefit from the virtues of this blessed month.
|
|
Introducing New MWA Leaders
| 
Farzana Moinuddin will be serving as MWA's Director of Finance. She was born and raised in Zambia. While there she worked with muslim converts, teaching them the basic principles of Islam. After moving to Chicago, Farzana volunteered at ISNS mosque, RAP (Refugee Assiatance Program), and partnered with the IRIM Foundation by raising funds for there women empowerment program. Farzana recently graduated with her MBA from Northern Illinois University. While attending NIU, she completed an Internship with Little City in Palatine. Farzana currently works as a Manager in Corporate Finance for Stericycle Inc. In her free time she likes to read fiction novels, and write poetry. When asked why she decided to volunteer her time and effort to MWA, she said "I chose MWA, because it reflects ME, a professional Muslim Woman, and it allows me to conduct Dawah in the way I best know how, through my work and professionalism. It also gives me an opportunity to work with some of the most amazing women."
 Suroor Raheemullah will be serving as Director of Organizational Development. She has professional experience with dealing with large multinational companies with expansive global outreach. Her exposure to various cultures and people has allowed her to have a broad mindset and a strong ability to adapt to numerous situations. She joined MWA in 2009 as a volunteer for the Annual Lunch Event. She expanded her role in 2011 to becoming the Sponsor Relations coordinator, where she established a process for securing sponsors as well as maintaining relations with sponsors throughout the year. She has continuously tried to improve donor relations by soliciting feedback and implementing changes to the sponsorship packages and process accordingly. In addition to her sponsor relations role, she has expanded her involvement to Organizational Development in 2012 where she brings vast experience in managing effective organizations.
|
|
Thank You to MWA's Out-Going Board Member
|  MWA thanks Saadiha Khaliq for her time and expertise as Director of Finance. She worked hard to ensure that MWA's finances continued to be organized and transparent. MWA wishes Saadiha well as she embarks on her graduate program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. With her advanced training, Saadiha will continue to be a positive asset to the community. We pray for her and wish her well!
|
| MWA Welcomes Community Organizing Interns | 
Amena Khan lives in the North West Suburbs of Chicago. She has always maintained close ties with several Muslim communities. After graduating from the Sunday school program at ISNS Rolling Meadows, she used her knowledge to teach elementary grades at Al Huda weekend Islamic school in Schaumburg. She is pursuing a degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Upon completion of her degree she plans to establish a career in the field of social services. Amena chose to serve MWA because "growing up around many influential people, who believed in the importance of establishing masjids, developing social programs, and assisting the needy I was instilled with the values of helping others while sourcing the growth of a community. When seeking internship opportunities it only made sense that I volunteer my time working for an organization run by strong professional women who uphold similar Islamic values. Since MWA, is committed to philanthropy, community service, and personal development, it reinforces my upbringing as well as serves as a building block towards my future career path".
 Beenish Zaman lives in Naperville. Grateful for her loving family, her biggest mentors and supporters are her Mom and Dad. Currently a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, Beenish is studying Biology with a business and bioethics minor. Beenish indicated that she chose to be a MWA intern for Ramadan Rush for Rewards 2012 because "I love community service projects that bring people together. I willingly donate my time to an organization that provides so much for the Chicagoland area. It's phenomenal to see people of all ages work for the same cause. It reminds me that there are good-hearted Muslims that are always willing to provide services; and I am proud to be a part of an organization that provides the community with service projects. It's an exciting experience, and I am learning so much from it."
|
|
Personal Development Cornerstone Update
|
 In the month of April, MWA was actively involved in National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this month, organizations vested in children and child services nation-wide hold activities and events to increase awareness of the prevalence of child abuse. MWA was invited to join the Blue Bow Committee that planned the kick-off event on April 2nd, 2012. Attended by 75 community constituents, the event included prayer offerings from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. Local dignitaries such as Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle were in attendance. Beenish Manzoor, Director of Personal Development, shared a few words on behalf of MWA and the Muslim Community.  On May 19th, 2012 the MWA held a personal development event addressing marriage in the Muslim community. Sr. Amina Saeed advised the group to make marriages stronger by forging a deep connection with Allah (swt). The event was well attended, and many pearls of knowledge were shared amongst attendees. The event took place at Northwest Suburban College in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.As part of the NATO Summit, Amnesty International held the Shadow Summit to discuss the rights of Afghani women. MWA participated as a planning member of the event. The event was attended by 300 people at the Swissotel in downtown Chicago. Bringing together dignitaries such as former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, US Women Ambassador Mel Verveer, and Afghani women leaders. The Summit hosted two panel discussions discussing different aspects of women's rights in Afghanistan. The event culminated in a kite-flying activity to show solidarity for Afghani women.
|
|
 |
|
Upcoming MWA Ramadan Rush for Rewards Events:
| For more information and to register for meaningful MWA service projects click on:
Hamdard Center Addison Feeding the Homeless 7/28/12 Location 1: San Jose Obrero Mission 7:30a-10:00am Location 2:
Cornerstone Community Outreach 6:30am - 11:00am Location 3: Holy Ghost Church 4:00am - 7:00am
Location 4: Hesed House
9:00am - 1:30pm Location 4:
Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica 6:00am - 9:00am
Iftar at a Synagogue8/2/12 Location 1: Beth Emet Free Synagogue Location 2: Temple Sholom of Chicago Location 3: Beth Shalom Bnai Zaken |
| Board of Directors |
Director of
Personal Development
Board Secretary
|
|
Interns
|
Tehreem Hussain
Beenish Zaman
|
| Support Us |
Mail donations to:
Muslim Women's Alliance
P.O. Box 3354
Oakbrook, IL 60522
Click here to donate online To make a direct donation over the phone please call (312)298-9MWA
|
| Sponsors |
Executive Level
Gold Level
Silver Level
Advanced Midwest Women's Healthcare
|
|
