Fifty-six years ago, in 1960, Begum Aziz Ahmed, wife of the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, had a brilliant idea. Recognizing the great cultural diversity of the Muslim world, she was instrumental in forming The Muslim Women’s Association of Washington, DC. It was originally a cultural exchange group whose membership was comprised of ladies from the diplomatic community, including the wives of many ambassadors, in addition to other Muslim women in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. There was also a prominent American presence, including members of the State Department and other intellectual figures.
Throughout the years members of the MWA have learned much about each other’s cultures thanks to the activities of this organization. It also does charitable work, providing partial scholarship support to young Muslim women who wish to study in the Washington, DC area. Today the organization continues under the leadership of our President, Fife O’Connor. Fife is originally from Egypt, and with her indomitable spirit she has been an important presence in the MWA since 1968 when she first became a member.
In 2007, four years after my reversion to Islam, I joined the Muslim Women’s Association and soon assumed the Board position of Secretary. So I have attended many meetings of this fine organization. Recently we were fortunate to host a very unique event. Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, who is one of the world’s leading experts on contemporary Islam and one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, joined us for a private screening of his amazing new documentary film entitled Journey into Europe. On a frigidly cold and windy afternoon, numerous members and guests of our organization gathered at the home of one of our long time members, Aida Mady, to view this important new work.
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Journey into Europe 