WISE Officially Launches the
WISE Muslim Women's Web Portal

WISE Portal

With the official launch of the WISE Muslim Women's Web Portal, WISE is pleased to offer new and improved features to provide Muslim women an enhanced opportunity to define themselves to the world and connect with each other. To learn more about the WISE Portal's new features, read the WISE Portal 2011 Fact Sheet.

WISE is also excited to announce the addition of new Arabic translation pages on the WISE Portal. Key sections of the site, including information about WISE and its mission, the Shura Council, the WISE Compact, and the entire Current Issues section, have been translated.

Finally, WISE is eager to share encouraging WISE Portal statistics from the last year. From July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 the WISE Portal received almost 75,000 total site visits, a 283 percent increase from the previous year, as well as more than 60,000 absolute unique site visitors. The top 10 countries from where site visitors in the last year were from are: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Germany.

2011 WISE Conference

Jihad Against Violence

"Jihad Against Violence: Muslim Women's Struggle for Peace," a digest that condemns all forms of violence, was recently translated into Arabic. WISE would like to thank Dr. Iyad Madani, a former government minister in Saudi Arabia, for his efforts in having the digest translated. To read the digest in Arabic, please click here.

Notable News

United States President Barack Obama recently appointed Dr. Azizah al-Hibri as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The USCIRF reviews violations of religious freedom around the world and makes policy recommendations. Azizah is founder and president of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights and a professor of law at the University of Richmond.

Wahida Valiante, chair and national president of The Canadian Islamic Congress, recently published "A Mosaic of Thoughts," a book containing more than 95 articles covering, political and social issues, human rights, Muslim family, gender, and religious issues.

From the WISE Network

This May WISE woman Tayyibah Taylor, founding editor-in-chief and publisher of Azizah Magazine, received the Dr. Betty Shabazz Award by Women In Islam, Inc., a New-York based organization promoting women's empowerment through Islamic knowledge and practice. The award honors the legacy of human rights advocate Dr. Betty Shabazz and highlights the efforts of courageous women, of all backgrounds, dedicated to helping others. To learn more about the award, visit Women In Islam, Inc.'s Website. (Photo courtesy of Tayyibah Taylor, pictured second from the right.)

The Islamabad-based Uks Research Centre, directed by WISE woman Tasneem Ahmar, in collaboration with the Global Fund for Women, released a report this spring entitled: "How Pakistani Media Reports on Rape Cases." The report examines how the Pakistani media handles violence against women, often offering sensationalized coverage and ignoring ethical standards. Read the paper here. (Photo courtesy of Uks Research Centre.)

Earlier this year WISE woman Judge Mahfuza Folad was named a 2011 JusticeMakers fellow. The JusticeMakers competition awards applicants for innovative legal reform project ideas. Mahfuza is providing accused Afghan women with legal representation and educating women on their rights through training sessions and brochures. Mahfuza is executive director of Justice for All Organization, an NGO working to promote the rule of law and access to justice for marginalized groups in Afghanistan. To learn more about JFAO's activities, click here.

The Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights was recently launched by Australia's Attorney-General Robert McClelland. The center, directed by WISE woman Joumanah El Matrah, focuses on human rights matters affecting Muslim women, such as domestic violence and employment-related issues and provide welfare services to Muslim women.

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Contribute to Our Portal! Recommend Muslim Women, Recommend Talent, Recommend a Woman's Organization/Campaign, Submit a Case Study or Submit an Issue.	Did you Know? Nearly 18% of the world's Muslims are expected to be living in sub-Sahran Africa by 2030. Source: Pew Research Center. More interesting facts.
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