Our Guiding Principles

We recognize that many people consider the American South to be backward, ignorant and abhorrently racist. We stress that racism is not an issue of geography but of systemic violence and institutional principles and recognize the American South as a hotbed of political resistance and civil disobedience. The South represents a key link in the chain for the U.S. working class in terms of resistance against exploitation and the violent suppression of organizing among workers, especially among Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations.

We believe in continuing this tradition by providing resources and equipping people with a nuanced political education. We know how dangerous and violent it is to confine our narrative to a single story. We practice this by engaging deeply to unravel our ways of thinking, unlearning oppression, reimagining freedom and decolonizing our minds. We seek to provide brave and welcoming spaces that recognize the myriad intersectional identities in Muslim communities, encouraging them to amplify their voices and reclaim their narratives

We believe in creating spaces that reflect the diversity of our society. We believe each person has a unique, important contribution to the movement. In short, collective liberation demands collective participation. We believe that true leadership requires that one is deeply rooted in the truths, triumphs, failures, and histories of one’s ancestors and elders. Through learning our history, we can mold our future.

This work does not exist without a deep love and commitment to people, all people, no exceptions. Muslim Women For began with the deep friendship of three women and is fueled today through the links of community members, intergenerational conversations, grassroots organizers, coalition support, elected representatives, allies, family members, and other comrades in the work.

We pride ourselves in our transparency within our own networks as well as to the broader community we serve, for both Muslim and non-Muslim populations. We do not believe in transactional relationships, rather, we seek to be part of transformative and intentional relationships with all the networks we are part of.

The work of Muslim Women For challenges the monolithic image of Muslim “women” that continues to contribute to gender-based Islamophobia and inter-community marginalization. We address issues that concern vulnerable communities like gender-based violence, anti-blackness, immigrant injustice, Islamophobia and xenophobia.

Muslim Women For works to create transformative change by organizing locally and building power through direct service, advocacy, and spiritual resistance. We have lead rapid response efforts including vigils, protests, and servicing our community at a local, national, and global scale through service projects or through contributions to larger relief efforts.