S.I Elmbridge and S.I Woking came together on a wintery evening in November as part of their successful joint PAC program to hear another interesting and topical subject of ‘The Veil’. The attentive audience of over thirty members and guests from both clubs listened to three professional working Muslim women.
They began their talk with a recitation from the Holy Quran – a verse that showed that Islam gives equality to both men and women.
Dr. Sarah Waseem has been a Clinical Psychologist for over 20 years and works for the NHS. Within the Muslim Community, she is Head of Ladies Documentaries for the 24 hour channel, MTA International (Sky 787) and has also been involved with a community publication ‘Review of Religions’ for 10 years. Dr Waseem spoke warmly of how her faith and dress supports her work in one of the poorest areas of London.
Dr. Fariha Khan is a mother of two young children, a qualified GP and Vice President of a National Muslim Women’s Association UK (an auxiliary organisation of the community) and is also Head of Publications for the women’s association. Her personal example of how her faith influences her dress, but her dress definitely does not hinder her work were informative and thought provoking. The most challenging responsibility she relayed was being a mother!
Haallah Shams, former head of teaching English as an Additional Language at a Secondary School, now Surrey Faith Links Adviser took the lead on an open question and answer session which raised questions such as ‘when should girl’s starts wearing the hijab, colour’ etc.