KUALA LUMPUR: Aisha walks quickly down the sidewalk. She is late for work. So is Samira. The two women appear as complete opposites, one wearing a hijab, or headscarf, while the other is in a slick business suit, a skirt just hitting below her knees, with no leggings. “This is what we want Malaysia to be for all women,” began Samira, pointing simultaneously to her own hijab and Aisha's skirt. “We want to be Muslim and have the choices that other women elsewhere in the world have. The ability to live our lives,” she added to Bikyamasr.com. Both women are friends and are roommates who work at the same law firm as legal consultants. They are Muslim, and proud. “I find strength in Islam and it gives me the power to live my life with dignity,” said Aisha, as she picks up the pace. The two women are part of the growing female workforce in Malaysia, which has seen growth in employing women in recent years, the government says. But there is work to be done. Mercy Mission Malaysia (MMM) is one of the organizations hoping to continue the push to empower women in Malaysia and Muslim women across the globe. MMM is organizing a women's only international conference entitled “Being Muslimah Empowered (ME)” which will address the daily challenges facing Muslim women in modern societies. The conference will feature talks by outstanding women and scholars, a fashion show to showcase Muslimah attire, “Sisters' Corner” for women to learn and enjoy beauty tips, “Daddy and Me” which allows mothers to enjoy the lectures while their husbands participate in creative activities with their children, “Angel Investors” which is a program that provides women entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to potential investors, workshops and more. MMM sponsorship project manager Zainuriah Abdul Rahman said the programs were designed to give “Muslimah an outlet” to express their lifestyles and share accomplishments to inspire others. “We want to enable women to be dynamic in society and to take positive action to improve the quality of their lives,” she said. One of the event's highlights is the Muslimah Awards which are given to ordinary women in recognition of their work to the community. “The impact of her achievements is among the criteria for the most deserving nominee,” she said, adding that this related to how much change the nominee had brought to the cause. For Aisha and Samira, it is an opportunity to see how Muslim women across the world are faring and they are hopeful that it will produce positive results for the country, and women. “Muslim women anywhere are so often treated with the sense they are not fighting for their rights, are weak, but here in Malaysia we are not weak,” continued Aisha. They arrive at the door of their firm, both with beads of sweat beginning to form on their faces. “I want to be seen as a woman first, then Muslim,” said Samira. “I don't think the world understands that we women, especially us who are Muslim, are capable of living a successful life with a job and having a family.” The conference will aim to push empowerment ideas forward, which Aisha believes is a positive step for all Muslim women in the world. “Muslim woman like us have a hard time. We are invisible to the West but we are the majority,” she argued.
