A Modern Narrative for Muslim Women in the Middle East

In mid-2008, the American Islamic Congress launched a project that seeks to carve out a modern narrative for women in five countries in the Middle East—Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. To accomplish this goal, our research team first mobilized around five spheres of study—economic, legal, political, religious and social. We then interviewed numerous women and women’s advocates in our target countries and gathered information on the issues that most impact them. Photos from the conference can be views here.

We are now building upon these issues and creating a monograph of “A Modern Narrative for Women in the Middle East.” Further, we are creating a best practices guide for policy-makers in the United States, which often struggles to understand and address concerns in the Middle East, so that the most pressing issues facing women in our target countries are addressed in an informed and relevant manner.

Lead Research Team

Left: Zainab Al-Suwaij, Center: Jana El-Horr, Right: Dalia Ziada

Capitol Hill Distinguished Speaker Series - Panels on Muslim affairs for Congress

Project Nur - A "light" on campus promoting student leadership and activism

Public Education - Guides on interfaith dialogue, hate speech response, and more

HAMSA: Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance - Aiding civil rights reformers

Muslim Interfaith Council - Building bridges without baggage via open dialogue

Pledge for Iraq - Empowering women civic leaders and civil society via grants and training