During a recent visit to Albania, the Muslim Women’s Council witnessed the positive impact of a livelihood initiative supporting vulnerable mothers and orphaned children in rural communities.
Many families in these areas face food insecurity, limited opportunities to earn an income and the rising cost of essential agricultural resources. For mothers raising orphaned children without a stable income, these pressures can make it extremely difficult to plan for the future.
As Muslims around the world reflect on the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during Rabi al Awwal, it is an opportunity to return to the values that defined his example and consider how we carry them into our own lives, families and communities.
The life of the Prophet ﷺ was rooted in faith, but that faith was expressed through action. Compassion, justice, generosity, patience, responsibility and service to others were not abstract principles. They shaped how he treated his family, neighbours, those experiencing hardship and the wider society around him.
There are moments in life when Allah places someone in our path who quietly changes the way we see the world.
Not because they have all the answers but because their sincerity, character and faith encourage us to become better ourselves. A kind word, a gentle reminder, a listening ear or an example of patience can awaken something within us that we had overlooked for years.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
This month, after attending a talk by our very own Dr Shuruq Naguib on the life of Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah (RA), I found myself deeply moved. I walked in expecting a historical narrative; I walked out feeling as though I had encountered a woman whose courage and clarity still speak directly into our modern struggles. Her story didn’t just inspire me, it unsettled me, expanded me, and reminded me how far many of our inherited “norms” have drifted from the Qur’anic vision of female agency.
Muslim women have been shaping communities, advancing knowledge and inspiring positive change for generations. Throughout history, women have played a central role in strengthening families, building institutions, sharing knowledge and contributing to the social, educational and economic development of their communities.
In 2025, our beloved sister Bana Gora, CEO and co founder of Muslim Women’s Council, was honoured with the “Here Come the Girls Award” at the Inspiring Women Awards, recognising her extraordinary contribution to empowering women, supporting communities and creating lasting social change.
As we continue to remember and celebrate Bana’s life and legacy, this recognition stands as a powerful reflection of the impact she made through decades of sincere service, visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to others.
A growing body of evidence is highlighting a critical gap in mental health support for young Muslims in the UK, with many delaying or avoiding seeking help due to services that fail to understand their faith and lived experiences. A nationwide survey has revealed that this disconnect is not only limiting access to care but also contributing to missed opportunities for early intervention.
A recent BBC investigation highlights how Black and South Asian women across the UK continue to experience delayed diagnoses, medical neglect, and inequality in reproductive healthcare.
Testimonies from women with conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis reveal a troubling pattern of being dismissed or ignored. This is not a matter of isolated incidents, but a reflection of structural bias within the system.
Key Facts:
For the first time, NHS England has published detailed breakdowns of its waiting list by gender, ethnicity, age, and levels of deprivation. The figures, released in July 2025, confirm growing concerns about unequal access to care across the country.
11th July 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia. Over 8,000 men & boys were brutally massacred while the world watched in silence. It followed three years of over 100,000 people being killed, thousands of women raped, and more than two million people being forced from their homes, simply because of their faith.
Our unique experience is honestly hard to express in mere words...I was blessed to first visit Al Quds, our beloved Masjid Al-Aqsa, in September 2024, as a sub-group leader with Zaarvel travel. Our group leader was brother Shafiq (may Allah SWT bless his soul). I remember many conversations during & after our tour, especially when brother Shafiq would say we need to include a visit to Jordan in our next tour. Who knew we would end up evacuating our group to Jordan on this tour!
