13 February 2026 / 25. Shabaan 1447
Womens Empowerment Meeting
Meeting 1
On Saturday the 19th of January, a breakout session was held exploring ideas of focus for women’s empowerment. This session was facilitated by Sis. Esmat Jeraj and Sis. Mariam Hassam and was attended by female representatives from mostly Stanmore Jamaat.
Various topics were explored centred around women and the challenges they face, the different areas where they can experience growth and the solutions for these challenges and to determine the next steps going forward. The aim of these discussions is to address needs related to women and to discuss how to engage better participation from women in the community.
Some of the areas of discussion included wellbeing, support for women, cultural restraints and political and social issues faced by women in our communities. Further discussions will be held and the work will be carried forward from the outcomes of these discussions.
For more information please visit our website at: https://www.coej.org/women-empowerment-meeting/
Group brainstorming session
Meeting 2
On Saturday 09 February 2019, the second Women Empowerment session was held in Birmingham. This session was facilitated by Sis. Esmat Jeraj and Sis. Mariam Hassam and was attended by 14 women of different ages and from various different Jamaats.
The pledge from Dr Akber’s manifesto ‘We are determined to remove any obstacles and barriers that prevent women from being active decision makers in the workings of our institutions, services and projects’ was highlighted. The work done so far was also highlighted such as the AGM, Women Empowerment session 1, women needs assessment and the discussion around best practice that should be part of this stream.
The group was then divided into smaller groups to discuss the four most pressing issues they felt needed to be addressed as well as who the stake holders were and what resources would be needed to bring about the change.
The four most pressing issues faced by women that were extracted from the group discussions were:
1. Religious misconceptions
2. Wellbeing
3. Representation
4. Judgements and expectations
It was a productive session where next steps were discussed and some women volunteered to join the different work streams that were emerging.
For more information please visit our website at: https://www.coej.org/women-empowerment-meeting-2-birmingham/
Sharing and reflecting on ideas
Smaller group activities
Closing remarks and conclusion
Summary of question
How can one become sure which of the ulema giving advice and lectures are worthy and qualified to so?
Question
We live in a community of hundreds of thousands of Muslims and have many ulema--many of whom we do not believe are qualified. How can a person obtain assurance (or certification) that the ulema that are giving advice and lectures are supported and qualified according to the rules of the Shia faith?
I start off by thanking Almighty Allah (SWT), Imam Ridha (as) and Bibi Ma’sumah (as) for granting me the opportunity to mentor on the Madinah and Bab Summer Course for the second consecutive year.
Sunnat or Innovation?
The books of Islamic laws and traditions of both Shias and Ahle Sunnat mention innumerable recommended prayers. Some of the prayers exceed a thousand units. The prayer of Tarawih is among the recommended prayers of the Ahle Sunnat and it is performed in congregation in the nights of Ramazan at an estimated twenty units daily.
