Greetings!
        
       Assalamualaikum and Greetings of Peace! It has been my humble honor to serve our community as the first voluntary Executive Director of Muslim Women's Alliance. MWA began just as an idea in my head in 2006, and now it is a full-fledged, non-for-profit 501c3 organization. SubhanAllah! MWA is a testament to one of my favorite quotes by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that every has." 
      It has been inspiring to see the community rally around MWA and support it's steady growth. The power of teamwork and collaboration is evident in the positive impact the organization has made over the years. Initially a considerable amount of time was spent in the planning stages of creating the MWA charter, followed by active implementation.
        

MWA's members and supporters have been making and will continue to make a pivotal difference, InshAllah!

      The vision of MWA is to ensure that it stands the test of time and is sustained through innovative leadership. This way the organization's valuable legacy, will continue to develop. Therefore today, I am truly honored to announce the new Executive Director of MWA - Noor Raheemullah Hasan. When forming the initial MWA Board, Noor was one of the first people I invited to join the cause. She has proven her strong leadership skills and has a solid intention to serve. Please read more about Noor below!

      I embarked on the MWA journey, with two children, and as we get ready to welcome our fourth baby, this is a good time for me to take a maternity leave to ensure that I first and foremost meet my obligations to my growing family. I will use this sabbatical to also reflect on how best I can serve MWA in a different capacity in the future, focusing on strategic development and growth. Therefore, this is not a complete goodbye from me, as I hope to continue to contribute my service as sadaqah. In the meantime I will be available in a mentorship capacity. My prayers are with Noor, the entire Board, future leaders and volunteers as they proceed to realize the mission and vision of MWA. 

      As I bid farewell as the outgoing Executive Director, my sincere gratitude goes to the hardworking volunteers, the generous supporters and to every MWA Board of Director I've worked with for their committed leadership. I am thankful to my close friends who initially helped with a needs assessment of the proposed MWA concept and encouraged moving forward to realize the vision. I am always indebted to my late father, who showed me the importance of community service.  Additionally, this commitment could only have been fulfilled because of my husband, Sajid's encouragement; and the countless hours, he and my mom separately spent taking care of our young children while I was performing MWA duties. Alhamdollilah, this charitable work has brought many blessings to my family, especially for our children who have learned so much from MWA members about hands-on service. 

      Today, as we recognize Martin Luther King's day, I would like to reiterate his words as values that I have learned through my time so far with MWA: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?...An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." My sincere appreciation to all who have utilized MWA as their platform to do good.

      Finally, community service and leadership comes with its responsibilities and challenges on top of a career and family obligations, and I earnestly ask for your forgiveness for any shortcomings.  I pray that Allah (swt) accepts our good deeds and keeps our intentions pure.

 

With my sincerest respect and gratitude,

 

Anisha

MWA is pleased to announce the new Executive Director,
Noor Raheemullah Hasan. 

She has been an integral part of MWA having previously served as Director of Community Relations since the inception of the organization.  Under her leadership, the annual Celebration of the Muslim Woman event has distinguished MWA in the non-profit sector and energizes the membership for the rest of the year.  Her vision for MWA includes projects that strengthen the three cornerstones of Philanthropy, Community Service and Personal Development.  She plans to continue working hand in hand with volunteers to provide valuable service to communities across Chicagoland.  

Noor enjoys the warm support of her husband Mohammed and their three children.  She is inspired by her parents, Syed and Seema Raheemullah who are pioneers in Chicago Muslim activism. 

Muslim Women's Alliance is thankful to Anisha Ismail Patel for her dedication and leadership that helped shape MWA into the vibrant organization it is today.  Muslim Women's Alliance wishes Anisha, her husband Sajid and their three daughters all the best and look forward to continue to work with Anisha in the future. 
MWA Celebration of the Muslim Woman 
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 11am 
Chicago Marriott Oak Broo
1401 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL    

  

 
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