Continuing our interview of Sister Michelle John, the CEO and founder of Muslimah Voices, the London-based non-profit organization working towards inspiring change and taking action for Muslim women of diverse backgrounds, Sister Michelle, also known as Zainab, shares more about the mission and goals of MV. The first installment can be read on aMuslima.com here.
Interview With Michelle John of Muslimah Voices
In your experience, and those of the Muslimah Voices team, have you found that there is a great need for clearing stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims? Can you provide any examples?
There is definitely a great need for clearing up stereotypes and misconceptions about women and Muslims in general, especially when it comes to issues surrounding the relationships between men and women, such as issues of gender roles and responsibilities. Some of these issues have been a central theme in the arguments put forward by many with anti-Islamic views. For instance, many labels are stuck onto us without our input about who we are and what we represent. Labels such as oppressed – passive – voiceless and submissive are just a few of the stereotypes attached to Muslim women by mainstream media, which seems to be on a mission to demonize Islam and to propagate negative images of Muslim women within the minds of non-Muslims.
Then, on the other hand, Muslim women are faced with cultural and religious dilemmas on a daily basis where stereotypes from within their own homes and communities, especially as they relate to issues of gender roles and responsibilities, become a real and present obstacle for practicing their rights. Many times, cultural aspects of Islam influence the way that Muslim women behave and/or think while the principles of the Islamic religion reflect a different set of expectations for how we as women should act, think and go about our daily lives. The two often collide and contradict each other, with culture and tradition many times being the superior voice.
There are also many narratives about us, but not usually by us, and these stories are told about us through the eyes of non-Muslims who know far too little or nothing at all about our unique experiences and about our Islamic way of life. This results in a single representation of Muslim womanhood when there are many other voices waiting to be discovered and heard. In addition, there are others that claim to speak on our behalf, as if to say that Muslim women are incapable of speaking for themselves or that Muslim women are so brain-washed and oppressed that we desperately need to be saved. I’ve found that sometimes even Muslim writers and authors fail to capture a wide spectrum of the Muslim woman’s experiences or contributions to Muslim communities and wider society as a whole.
I also believe that stereotypes and misconceptions exist largely as a result of inaccurate and false information, lack of knowledge, and unhealthy traditional/cultural beliefs and practices. Female genital mutilation and forced marriages, which are not sanctioned by the Qur’an or Sunnah, are two such practices that have been passed down from generation to generation.
We need to re-educate our boys and men about the value of a woman and her role and status within Islam, and we need to involve them in discussions about women’s empowerment while exploring the roles that they can play in such efforts.
Do you currently have any partnerships with other organizations for facilitating the mission and goals of MV?
No, we currently do not have any existing partnerships with any organizations but we are looking to partner with and to work alongside other organizations that share our vision, who support the causes that we are passionate about, and who are actively assisting women on the ground within local communities. We strongly believe that by taking a collaborative approach our work will have a greater impact, insha’Allah.
When do you anticipate that the new MV website will be launched, and what kinds of resources will be available to the community? Will the MV blog continue providing articles and resources?
Our website was officially launched on the 6thJune, 2015, al-hamdulilah, and yes, we will continue to provide articles and other helpful resources and information.
Will the Muslimah Voices Book club continue to be an aspect of MV going forward? If so, what types of books will be featured and how can the community join/get involved?
Yes, the book club will continue to be a key aspect of the organization. The book club will now exist in the form of an online book club which will allow participants to chime in on discussions at their convenience from anywhere around the world and at any time, insha’Allah.
Our book selections will focus on books written by female authors – Muslim and non-Muslim – and books will not necessarily be about Islamic issues or subject matters per se, although from time to time we will be reading Islamic books and engaging in discussions from an Islamic perspective. Generally, books will highlight and invite discussions on a number of subject matters – some of which will be sensitive and considered taboo within Muslim communities. Themes such as women and spirituality, love, sexual abuse and mental health are just some of the themes we would like to focus on in our monthly discussions. Genres will include memoirs, novels, self-improvement books and poetry.
The club will cater specifically to Muslim women, but Muslim men and non-Muslim men and women who are keen on learning about Islam, the Islamic perspective on subject matters, or the themes discussed may also participate.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older and they must have a genuine love and interest in the Book Club and what it seeks to accomplish. There is no formal enrollment, cost, or strict schedule. Participants can simply join the current discussion or catch up on past discussions by adding a comment.
For more information on the work being done by Muslimah Voices, or to support their efforts, individuals can visit their website at www.muslimahvoices.org or email them at info@muslimahvoices.org
