We are proud to announce that KARAMAH-EU opened its doors this month in Brussels. To an audience of nearly 100 international leaders, Mariam H’madoun, member of the KARAMAH-EU steering committee, shared their story. KARAMAH-EU is the brainchild of 26 alumnae of KARAMAH’s Law and Leadership Summer Program (LLSP). LLSP trains Muslim women from all over in the world to be better leaders, armed with the knowledge of Islamic law and conflict resolution. Through the help and support of many, KARAMAH has educated class after class of phenomenal women from the EU. These women collectively decided that the way to most effectively put their knowledge to use was to form KARAMAH-EU. For the past several years, KARAMAH-EU has cemented relationships and held alumnae functions and reunions. These leaders have also traveled to KARAMAH’s global conference held in Morocco to connect directly with members of KARAMAH’s Jurist and Leader Network. KARAMAH-EU was also able to learn more about Islamic jurisprudence and decide together the main issue affecting Muslim women today–Muslim women’s leadership in the public square. These initial events and education were all to advance one effort—to better the status of Muslims in Europe.
Dr. Azizah al-Hibri, Chair and Founder of KARAMAH and Executive Director Aisha Rahman traveled to Brussels to celebrate the launch of KARAMAH-EU. While there, Dr. al-Hibri lectured to a diverse crowd at the main Islamic center in Brussels: Centre Islamique et Culturel de Belgique. Dr. al-Hibri was the first woman to ever lecture at the mosque. While there, KARAMAH also trained over 50 imams from all over Belgium on gender in Islam—specifically the potential damage that can be caused from those not understanding fully Islamic law or civil law. Dr. al-Hibri provided four stories from the US which showcased the actual damage caused in US courts, affecting Muslims’ civil rights, by faulty “expert” testimony. In one case, for example, a leader testified that the mahr was actually a “bride price.” Ignorance of this magnitude is compromising the health of the Muslim family all over the world.
KARAMAH-EU will continue to advocate for the rights of women and men, human rights and civil rights, and religious freedom in the EU. The work has universal applicability, but with offices now in the EU, the particular and careful attention that this region needs will be met by KARAMAH-EU’s able steering committee.
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