Muslim Women in Our Community

A capacity crowd of local residents, educators and community leaders came together in the Student Life Center in Lincroft on March 22 for a unique panel discussion hosted by the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education (Chhange).

The program, titled “Muslim Women in Our Community,” featured five female professionals and social advocates from the central New Jersey region as well as current Brookdale student Zainab Moosavi.

The panelists were: Fatima Jaffari, public speaker, educator and co-founder of the award-winning interfaith youth program Garden State MOSAIC; Dr. Azeez-Fathima Naqvi, a nephrologist from Hazlet; Atiya Aftab, an attorney, adjunct professor at Rutgers University and chair of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit women’s advocacy group Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom; Khadi Madama-Bakrime, a motivational speaker, interfaith hospice chaplain, and kung fu master; and Shaesta Chaudry, coordinator of an area interfaith soup kitchen. 

Dozens of community members attended “Muslim Women in Our Community,” hosted by Chhange on March 22. Photo by Cinde Orlick.

The panel discussion, led by Jaffari, featured testimonials from each member regarding their life experiences and world views, and was designed to help eradicate negative stereotypes surrounding Muslim women.

The panel members also hosted a Q&A with the audience, addressing questions from the dozens of community members in attendance.

The program also featured an address by Dale Daniels, executive director of Chhange.

Garden State MOSAIC is a unique program that empowers its young participants to work collaboratively in small group settings for invaluable interfaith education, to practice leadership and communication skills. Learn more about the program here.

The Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education (Chhange) is an International Education Center located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. As an independent non-profit organization, Chhange addresses human rights and civil rights issues worldwide.

– Photos by Cinde Orlick