Last week, Sabina Khan-Ibarra, creator of the website Muslimah Montage, where Muslim women meet to "share stories about their triumphs, influences, and aspirations," tweeted this:
I want to have tweet party #empoweredmuslimwomen, what do you all think? discuss its importance @aishacs @jazobair @Faineemae @Muslim_Fems
She built awareness and hype for it all week:
#empoweredmuslimwomen tweet party coming soon, watch out for it! :)
And recruited outspoken Muslim women to help:
YA author @aishacs and founder of @ComingofFaith @lulainlife will be helping Mulimah Montage moderate #empoweredmuslimwomen tweet party! :)
Are you joining us for the ultimate #Twitterparty on Tues March 4 @ 11 am PST? @MuslimahMontage #EmpoweredMuslimWomen http://t.co/0C22y15tF0
Look fwd to HT convo #empoweredmuslimwomen Tuesday at 2pmEST @MuslimahMontage: Read about #EmpoweredMuslimWomen http://t.co/8oj5Tu69Oc
Finally, on Tuesday afternoon, Sabina kicked off the #EmpoweredMuslimWomen conversation with some important questions:
What is the definition of 𠇎mpowered”? empowerment means to different things to women from different backgrounds. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
What are some of the issues that arise with talk of empowering women? #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
And the internet was eager to respond. At one point, #EmpoweredMuslimWomen was trending in the United States.
So... @buonasahra and @Faineemae are responsible for trending #EmpoweredMuslimWomen in America. I should know as a robot.
As is common in social justice conversations, those whose power was being threatened showed up to troll and derail the conversation.
Gave her the opportunity to find me a second wife. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
She asked for a new hot pot. I bought her a new dinner set too. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
I bought her a fully automatic washing machine cause I care about her delicate soft hands #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen have the power to switch the cooker on and off as and when they please.
Cooking is a job and should be paid for regardless off the taste. WE WANT HIGHER WAGES! #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
But their voices were quickly quelled by the thousands of intelligent and thoughtful women tweeting to empower one-another. Here are some of the most insightful and thought-provoking tweets from #EmpoweredMuslimWomen.
1.
If you have a voice, you have power. Empowerment is when you use your voice to elevate the voices of those unheard. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
2.
We need to also create a space where LGBTQ Muslim women are welcomed, their voices matter too. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
3.
Before passing away, my Bangladeshi grandfather prayed that my mother would have all daughters. I'm one of three. #empoweredmuslimwomen
4.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen would rather have their mind opened by wonder and love than have one closed by belief and power.
5.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen To be fully empowered, women have to take power for themselves. Lead by example!
6.
You telling me music is haram is a reason for me to teach lots of #EmpoweredMuslimWomen to produce art, perform, kick ass & claim narrative
7.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen don't need men to speak for them but we're here to help if asked and needed.
8.
Telling me I get street harassed bc I don't wear the hijab? No I get street harassed bc men are pigs. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen #Harassmentis
9.
Stop worrying abt non-Muslim gaze & "dirty laundry"-more honest, open, intrafaith conversations only make us stronger #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
10.
We aren't meant to be anything less than kickass heroes in every sense of the word. It's in our history. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
11.
So proud to come from a long line of #EmpoweredMuslimWomen who ran households, raised generations and stood strong in the face of adversity
12.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen I don't need you talking about the hijab to me, especially if you're a man. Know your place!
13.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen don't wait for permission before speaking.
14.
Wearing hijab does not turn each of my normal daily activities (jogging, working) into acts of dissent/courage. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
15.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen define themselves. They don't need you to define them.
16.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen come from different backgrounds and are united. Hijab or no hijab, we matter.
17.
Making a living doing what I want and supporting the causes I care about #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
18.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen does not have a "look." Is not an "oxymoron." Is not a "sensation." Is not an "oddity."
19.
Anticipating a day when 'Empowerment' and 'Muslim Women' in the same sentence/ hashtag - is redundant. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
20.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen are subject to hostility from all sides. Our strength comes from within, our power from above. We will not be deterred
21.
We will not allow the media to represent our men like terrorists & us like victims nor will we stay quiet about sexism #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
22.
I love baking. I also love dismantling institutions of oppression. Get at me. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
23.
My mom, a once devout Baptist, served as a volunteer principal, teacher, cook & janitor of our Islamic Sunday school #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
24.
Whether you wear a burqa, niqab, hijab or are uncovered - #EmpoweredMuslimWomen come in all shades, sizes and levels of religiosity
25.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen knowing that the Muslim Woman is not homogeneous and the "ideal" standards are arbitrary in addition to misogynistic
26.
When I say this my choice--believe me or get the fuck out. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
27.
Some call me bossy, I think it's more that I am part of a large group of #EmpoweredMuslimWomen and you can't handle it.
28.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen know that body-positivity and self-care are key to creating a world without ableism
29.
Anything but one-dimensional stereotypes you see on TV, #EmpoweredMuslimWomen are your colleagues & classmates, CEO's & elected officials
30.
We are journalists, lawyers, doctors, teachers. Nuff said. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
31.
I want to see mosques that allow men and women to pray side-by-side & allow women to give sermons and lead prayer #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
32.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen know that when our voices shake against oppression that's when we need to speak and act the loudest
33.
Creating an open and accepting environment for young girls to be themselves, not being told what to do #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
34.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen are not threatened by the way other women-ppl dress whether naked, hijab, jilbab, niqab, mini skirt or short sleeves.
35.
Sit where you want to sit. Pray where you want to pray. Lead the conversation. Create your space #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
36.
The person who created the first ever university was a muslim woman. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
37.
News Flash to the world: Being a woman and a Muslim does not mean you are or destined to be oppressed. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
38.
I tell my own stories since I can't find me in media. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
39.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen can rock the abaya like a superwoman's cape, and today's hottest fashions right underneath it, or alone. #werk
40.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen Acceptin that my values may be different from those of others.Nevertheless our values are important to us individually
41.
We need role models for our young girls, so be that role model. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
42.
Communities must acknowledge the potential for growth and prosperity that can be achieved when women are included #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
43.
The MW I know are educated, intelligent, outspoken, devout, accepting, kind, supporting, strong, witty & snarky. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
44.
Professions of a few of my female cousins in Bangladesh: three doctors, an engineer, a professor, a fashion designer. #empoweredmuslimwomen
45.
Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)"The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners & kindest to his wife"#EmpoweredMuslimWomen
46.
We've to understand that empowerment may mean different things for different women. #empoweredmuslimwomen
47.
Being empowered means being authentic. Childless by choice not circumstance is a non-issue. Respect different views. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
48.
The three most populous Muslim-majority countries have had women as leaders: Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
49.
#EmpoweredMuslimWomen comes from accepting our sisters and supporting them, not tearing each other down.
50.
Support other sisters, we are not competitors, a door opening for one is a door opening for all #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
51.
Black Muslims exist. LGBTQ Muslims exist. Gender non-conforming Muslims exist. Their voices cannot be ignored #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
52.
Muslim men are so afraid of 'Muslim feminists' because they KNOW that their sexism isn't allowed in Islam. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
53.
Transgendered sisters are ignored, shunned, denied resources and sometimes even basic human dignity. Let's fix that. #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
54.
I'm not Muslim, and it's so valuable to hear #EmpoweredMuslimWomen talk about THEMSELVES instead of being talked about like they always are.
At the time of writing, hundreds of tweets are still being added to the hashtag.
The Party is coming to an end but the conversation is not. Too much to say about #EmpoweredMuslimWomen
Follow and add to the conversation here.
