The Twenty-first Annual Conference of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Abstract

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) held its Twenty-first Annual Conference, October 4, 2003 at Crowne Plaza, Montreal, Quebec. CCMW was established in 1982 to attain and maintain equality, equity, and empowerment for Canadian Muslim women in the North American setting. Participants from across Canada came to celebrate CCMW’s renowned presence throughout the nation as well as to discuss issues related to the conference: “Engaging Muslim Women in Civic and Social Change.” The conference was officially opened with the reading of the Qur’an in Arabic, English, and French, followed by the Girl Guides of Canada, Muslim Chapter, singing the Canadian national anthem. They were accompanied by the CCMW attendees. Dr. Homa Hoodfar (Concordia University, Quebec) opened the conference with the first session: “Building Civil Society in our Transnational World.” Civil society, defined as a society ruled by laws and norms and obeyed by the governing body and the public, was discussed, along with its relationship in dealing with such minorities as Muslim women in Canada. A civil society permits a group of people to lobby and work with the public in a democratic system to facilitate change and development. However, transnational support and solidarity are required in conjunction with lobbying. Hoodfar effectively illustrated this concept by bringing to light the organization Women Living under Muslim Law (WLUML), which currently comprises 4000 individuals and organizations and has surveyed the implementation of Islamic law in many Islamic countries. Along with serving as a platform to network, the organization exists as a powerful institution to help Muslim women earn their civil rights and liberties. The presentation “Restoring the Glory of Muslim Women: Leadership, Scholarship, and the Family” by Dr. Azizah al Hibri (University of Richmond, Richond, VA) passionately described another influential women’s organization. Al Hibri, who has visited 12 Islamic countries, high ...