ISB Atlanta News
Women's History Month
March 2014

"Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination," said astronaut Mae Jemison. In honor of Women's History Month, the ISB is proud to recognize Atlanta Muslim women with extraordinary visions, and of course, imagination.

This is the second special edition newsletter for Women's History Month. To see who we featured in the first special edition newsletter, please click here.

Sincerely,

Soumaya Khalifa

Executive Director

ISB Atlanta

Samia Abdullah

Samia Abdullah is a mother of three children and married to Jama Ibrahim, a great believer in women's rights. She is from Somalia originally, but has lived in the Middle East and England. Having a background in therapy and youth work, she has worked with refugee women as a counselor. Her passion is giving refugee girls and women equal opportunities in the community. One powerful campaign she has been involved in was "Fight Against Famine." Samia connected with the campaign and brought the community together to address the drought in Africa and was able to raise $12,000 for CARE International. Inspiring and educating children about this campaign at schools, she demonstrated that 25 cents could buy enough rice and water to feed a child in Africa for a day. Each time a child donated a quarter, they received a sticker. In this way, the children were able to raise $250 for CARE. Inspired by their actions, Samia continues to do good. She is also one of the founding members of the Clarkston Interfaith Group, a group that uses faith to build communities and spark dialogue. Currently, she strives to empower girls through community service projects and youth interfaith activities.

Sumayya Allen

Sumayya Allen is a passionate Atlanta urban agriculturalist and educator, committed to growing healthy food, soil, and community. She works to promote and implement ecologically restorative and resilient food production systems in urban areas. Her involvement in sustainable agriculture began in New Mexico where she spent time working on an Organic Agricultural Cooperative on the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. She converted to Islam after moving to Atlanta. She feels her deep spiritual connection to nature compelled her to seek out the Divine Designer. Sumayya and her best friend husband, also a convert to Islam, encouraged each other to go back to school and complete their college education, while growing their family. Three beautiful children later, she graduated from Emory University with a B.S. in Environmental Science. She has spent the last few years working with various urban agricultural initiatives including Truly Living Well's Center for Natural Urban Agriculture, Global Growers Network, Risala Gardens, and Emory University's educational gardens. Also a freelance writer, Sumayya is a regular contributor to Azizah Magazine.

Shaheen Bharde

Shaheen Bharde is currently working as a nationally certified neuromuscular and sports injury therapist servicing critical care patients in the greater Atlanta area. As a board member and Public Relations Chair at Roswell Community Masjid (RCM), Shaheen has forged new directions most notably forming strategic alliances and community assistance programs, organizing fund-raising events, and leading social initiatives - setting the stage for groundbreaking outreach. Shaheen was one of the first few Muslims to be on the steering committee for Relay for Life. She also takes charge on collaborating with local businesses and interfaith organizations to build bridges and facilitate knowledge development. In addition, she has been involved with RCM's education and operations committees since inception. She inspires confidence with board members, communities, and program participants to drive results. She is a loving wife and mother of two boys, aged five and twelve, who always takes pride in diverse commitments. She has learned enriching the lives of others has always been the driving force behind all her personal and professional pursuits. Shaheen is also an active member of the ISB.

Kelly Izdihar Crosby

Kelly Izdihar Crosby is a painter and multimedia artist who paints in a variety of styles and subject matter. She is famous for her stylized Islamic art and mixed media paintings. She has displayed her artwork in various art shows and conferences throughout New Orleans and in places such as Texas, Georgia, California, Ohio and Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. She moderated an online group of international Muslim artists called the Islamic Artists Society from 2005-2011. She is a member of IMAN, the International Muslima Artist Network and local Georgia art groups such as African Americans for the Arts, the Newnan Coweta Art Association, and C4 Atlanta. Kelly received her bachelor's degree in art and master's degree in arts administration from the University of New Orleans. Kelly is also a writer, contributing artist, and editorial assistant for Azizah Magazine.

Farida Nurani

Farida Nurani is a mother, a wife, a pharmacist and a community leader. After completing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida, Farida worked as a clinical pharmacist in the area of pediatrics and neonatology. After taking some time to raise a family, she now helps her husband manage their busy dental practice in Gwinnett. In addition to managing the business side of the practice, Farida also coordinates their annual Community of Smiles, an event that provides free dentistry to the needy. She is also involved in voluntary service with the Ismaili Community. As a member of His Highness the Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the Southeastern United States, Farida helps with the Council's community outreach and bridge building efforts. Her role includes helping with the Council's initiatives in promoting pluralism, and understanding of the Islamic heritage through arts and culture.

Ruwa Romman

Ruwa was born in Jordan, lived briefly in Egypt, then moved to the United States when she was about 8 years old. She has been doing interfaith work since she was a freshman in high school. She began with with the Youth Theological Initiative hosted by the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Today, Ruwa is a junior at Oglethorpe University studying Politics, English, and Philosophy. There she helped establish COEXIST Oglethorpe to meet President Obama's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, which challenges more than 300 colleges and universities around the country to promote intentional interfaith dialogue and community service. COEXIST Oglethorpe hosts panels, service days, Fast-A-Thons, a Faith Series, and much more in an effort to increase dialogue within Oglethorpe and the surrounding community. She currently serves as President of COEXIST Oglethorpe, President of the Muslim Students Association, Student Ambassador for the Office of Admissions, and a speaker for the ISB.

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, apolitical educational organization that provides certified Muslim speakers to promote awareness about Islam and Muslims. The ISB is a local affiliate of the Islamic Networks Group (ING).

ISB Atlanta, P.O. Box 2608, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269. Telephone: 404-377-8380