Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Celebrates Women’s Day  

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is inviting all women to join them in celebrating International Women’s Day. The day, which is observed on March eighth, is meant to promote women’s rights and acknowledge their achievements globally. To participate in the fest ivies, the Muslim community of Belize will be offering an array of services at the Masjid Noor on Saturday. We stopped by today to hear what the event will entail. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Every year, on March eighth, millions of people across the globe participate in the observation of International Women’s Day. The holiday was declared in 1975 by the United Nations as a day for Women’s Rights and World Peace. As part of this celebration, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at hosts an annual International Women’s Day Expo, which is meant to foster a sense of community and provide an array of services for women in Belize. The president of the Women’s Jama’at spoke to us about these activities.

 

Maham Warraich, President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Women’s Group,

“This is the third year that we’re having this. And it’s basically celebrating International Women’s Day. It is the month that we’re celebrating women. And we’re offering the same free services that we’ve offered in the previous years as well. And a lot of our locals obviously enjoy that. So some of the services are henna, paint, henna, and hair braiding, and nail painting, and eyebrow OUT 0:46 threading.”

 

 

As the holiday is meant to be a reflection of women’s achievements and a day to prioritize the progression of their rights and wellbeing, the Jama’at stated that this event will be an opportunity to offer health and wellness services.

 

 

 

 

Deshawn Ellis, Member, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at

“It’s more than just an event. We want it to be an experience for the women. I think that one of the themes for this year’s Women’s Month is Invest in Women. And that’s what we want to do with this expo. You know, we’re gonna have the free services, we’re gonna even have free vital screening, so that you can prioritize your health. And so it’s really investing in women.”

 

 

 

As part of the goal to elevate and empower women, several small female-owned businesses will be given the opportunity to showcase their products and services as well.

 

Maham Warraich

“So our main goal for this event was also to support our local Belizean ladies and to have a platform where they can come and they can obviously expose their business to other people. And so we have obviously food stalls that people are selling their baked goods and their food. And then we also have an individual who’s selling skincare, bracelets, and then we also have pre loved clothing that they’re trying to sell. And then we also, as It’s for us to have the knowledge of Islam, that if anybody’s interested in learning about Islam, they can come and we’ll have a book stall, and we also have the try on a hijab. That’s a huge hit. A lot of ladies come and they try it on and it’s a loving experience for everyone.”

 

Member of the Jama’at, Khadija Hassan, spoke on the importance of helping others as a part of the Islam beliefs.

 

Khadija Hassan, Member, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at

“You know, so we introduce ourself to the community. We integrate ourself in the community by helping the community. We are not separatist. We’re not isolationist. We are here to help and to serve. The promised Messiah, peace be upon him, said that his advent was to bring people back to God and to bring them back to respecting and helping each other. Service is a big part of her community.”

 

 

 

Hassan informed us that the event will not only serve to uplift women in Belize, but will also assist families suffering from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

 

Maham Warraich

“So as we know that there’s a huge crisis happening in Gaza, and it’s been going on for almost six months, and we thought that it was something that needs to be brought to attention. And so all the proceeds that are going to be from this event, they’re going to be donated to Gaza to help with aid there, because it’s really, really needed. As a Muslim, it is our job to give service to the community, but a huge part is also giving charity as well”

 

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

The event will be hosted on Saturday, 9th of March, from ten a.m. to four p.m. at the Masjid Noor.