European Forum of Muslim Women Holds First Summit in Brussels

Launch of Women's History Month Draws Over 400 Muslim Women Activists

By: Aishah Schwartz and Jennifer Fayed

BRUSSELS, March 8, 2006 - More than 400 Muslim women activists convened in Brussels on Sunday for the first European Forum of Muslim Women (EFOMW) summit. The EFOMW, a registered NGO based in Brussels, is dedicated to defending the rights of Muslim women in Europe. The organization's first summit happens to coincide with March being International Women's History Month.

EFOMW goals include analyzing how to bridge dialogue between different religions, how to promote cooperation between Muslim women organizations, and how to battle discrimination against Muslim women in Europe.

The focus of this year's summit was on three key issues:

1. The involvement of Muslim women in the social society.
2. The obstacles to full citizen participation of Muslim women.
3. The contribution of Muslim women to the construction of European civil societies.

Participating in the forum were Muslim women from organizations across the globe representing Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Bosnia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, and Belgium.

Noura Jaballah, of Tunisia, EFOMW Coordinator, said that she hopes the forum "Can clear the misconceptions in Europe about Islam," adding, "western media has portrayed a false image of Muslim women which must be corrected."

Jaballah believes that the EFOMW could become the voice of European Muslim women, defining their problems, aspirations, and defending their legal rights.

This year's summit is a major milestone and historical stamp for European Muslim women, offering them a voice on social and political issues facing Muslim women in today's European society.

Sources: IRNA and www.islamonline.com

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