So – why do we do the Mommying While Muslim Podcast, and what is it’s purpose?

We’ve been writing columns for The Haute Take on all topics of Muslim parenting for more than a year now, and on the eve of our first retreat, it feels like a good time to talk about how this podcast and our mission came to be. The inception of Mommying While Muslim Podcast occurred during a moment of vulnerability I experienced when as a mother, I felt utterly powerless to protect my child. The situation, though typical for many American Muslims, wasn’t something I was familiar with.

In my quest to find the answers, I got reacquainted with a childhood friend, Dr. Uzma Jafri. We quickly realized that there was a massive gap in information within the American Muslim “mommying” sphere, and we wanted not only to fill that gap but bring other Muslim moms along on this journey.

Why is this important? Because empowered women, empower other women, and being the heart of the household, the effects of this power will not only unload the baggage given to us from previous generations but help prevent that from being passed on to future generations.

When you give someone the tools to provide their OWN internal power, you gift them the ability for truly sustainable change. This is why we ALWAYS share the mic and why empowerment for Muslim mothers is a passion for us at Mommying While Muslim. This is how we break it down:

(E) Educate: There is an old African proverb that says, “When you educate a boy, you educate an individual but if you educate a female you educate a nation.” Education is the main ingredient for the empowerment of women. It allows women to make better health care choices, carve a path out of poverty and create more opportunities for political engagement and representation. Finally, the education of our children starts in the laps of our mothers. Evidence shows that 87 percent of children whose mothers are educated show academic success compared to their peers. As the African proverb says, they are educating a future nation.

(M) Mindset shift: In empowering women, we are creating a mindset shift needed for long-term societal change. In giving the tools to women for self-confidence, we are unlocking their ability to make better decisions for themselves and their families, maximizing personal potential, decreasing domestic violence and overall increasing the positive impact women can make on society if given the right opportunities.

(P) Power: When a woman feels a sense of empowerment, they are ready to embrace the power that we all have lying dormant inside. In embracing this power, we are more likely to ask for and give help to others and dare to make an impactful change internally and externally, and know their intrinsic self-worth. Writes author Diane Mariechild, “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.”

(O) Optimism: Empowered women are more optimistic because they are not burdened by the opinions of others around them. Optimism makes you more resilient, physically and emotionally healthier, and maintains positive motivation towards reaching your goals. These attributes inevitably lead to happier, healthier and more successful women.

(W) Worthiness or self-worth: Having a sense of self-worth is a vital component to feelings of contentment and happiness within oneself and as part of a unit. You are more likely to self-advocate and have the confidence to get your needs met proactively. The ability to connect to others more authentically comes from not fearing how they’ll react to your true self. Valuing yourself makes you more resilient to setbacks and bumps in the road because failure isn’t as devastating to your emotional health. People who are satisfied with who they are don’t have unrealistic expectations of others, which leads directly to more constructive relationships.

(E) Economic independence: Empowered women are more likely to become financially independent, which directly improves the lives of their families and provides security for themselves. This allows the flexibility and freedom to pursue their passions and interests; and for us at Mommying While Muslim, this focus at is our upcoming wellness retreat: Embracing Your Power.

(R) Retreat: When there is a niche in the marketplace Uzma and I decide we want to fill it. In collaborating with Moxie Living we are having our first ever immersive educational retreat in the D.C. Metro area. It will be a “choose your own” adventure retreat, where you will be surrounded by a variety of health and wellness experts hand-picked specifically to help you find the power within and embrace all the possibilities once you find it.

We were so excited that within a few weeks we were able to (ALMOST) sell out, proving to the planning team that this inherent need is waiting to be quenched. If you are interested in attending we have a few spots available and hope to see you there.

“I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafzai

Until next time,

Zaiba

Zaiba Hasan is part of the dynamic duo behind the award-winning podcast, Mommying While Muslim. She is the founder of and a spiritual parent coach at Emerge Consulting Solutions, an interfaith mediator and sports mama extraordinaire. Look for her on the baseball fields and basketball courts in the DMV (Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia) area cheering from the sidelines.