Arab women were the first to champion the Arab Revolution but sadly, what we see instead are Arab women un-represented in governement, and their rights far from being addressed. Sexual assaults go unpunished and discriminatory laws have gone from bad to worse, not to mention trafficking and child/forced marriages. 

We also see extremism whether religious or otherwise making in-roads when what we had hoped for is an Islam that is balanced, inclusive and just. We know many Arabs are jailed for expressing an unpopular thought. We also know that this form of injustice is an insult to the values of Islam.  

As such we believe it is time for MPV to establish itself in the Arab world. It is time we promote an Islam that is inclusive, compassionate and above the fray of sectarianism, a man-made construct to empower the powerful. 

People are fed up and are seeking for an Islam that is relatable to the 21st Century. Quran 81:27 states "This is a message for all people." 

We at MPV believe it is time we double down our message. We have recently appointed Mohamad Bassam AlJazairi as Muslim Women's Rights Director with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa. That's right, a straight Arab man in the position of Muslim Women's Rights. 

Bassam was born and raised in Damascus, Syria and is a new immigrant to the United States. He graduated with a B.A in Literature and Human Sci-ences, from Damascus University. Surrounded by sisters, his awareness for the need of women's rights in Islam started at a very young age. According to Bassam, "with the 'Arab Spring' comes an opportune moment to change in the way we think, and therefore live".