Muslim Women In Democracy - Networking Event

What Is This Event About?

In 2024, we saw worrying increases in facism, islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of hate and discrimination.

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, not much has changed in 2025 - and we’re only seeing the hate and discrimination become worse day by day.

Given this, support for and engagement and unity of marginalised communities and underrepresented groups (including Muslims) in democratic activity is incredibly important.

As part of Islamaphobia Awareness Month 2025, Rozena Freelancer would like to provide an opportunity for Muslim women to assemble, network, and share experiences of engaging in democratic spaces.

The session will explore three key questions:

• What motivated and/or inspired you to become interested/involved in democratic activity?
• What strategies do you use (or would you use) to navigate these spaces?
• How would you like the future to look for Muslim women in democracy?

For clarity, democratic activity can include any of the following: advisory groups, advisory boards, decision-making committees, all-member meetings/AGMs, assemblies, councils, elections, voting processes, panels, campaigns, governance processes, other member-led/member-focused activity.

Who Is This Event For?

The session is open to Muslim women all around the world, and may be of particular interest to those who deliver work in and/or have an interest in democracy, and/or related areas (e.g. campaigns, governance, representation, decolonisation, liberation, EDI) - on a personal and/or professional level.

We strongly believe that intersectionality and unity of Muslim women is incredibly important - in particular in times where facism, racism, islamaphobia, and other forms of hate crime and discrimination are on the rise - and are becoming worse. This session therefore welcomes Muslim women from any ethnic and cultural background, in addition to those who identify as one or more of the following: disabled, neurodivergent, working-class, trans, and/or LGBTQ+ (this list is not exhaustive). Reverts and non-binary Muslims are also welcome.

Who Will This Event Be Hosted By?

The session will be hosted by Rozena Nadeem, a Freelance Engagement Consultant who is passionate about engaging underrepresented groups and marginalised communities in democratic activities, campaigns, governance and education.

Rozena has around ten years of experience of working and volunteering in a variety of engagement contexts, in particular those focused on engagement in democracy, campaigns, governance and education, and lived experience of being a working-class global majority Muslim woman with chronic health issues.

You can find out more about Rozena Freelancer here.

Other Useful Information

• The session will be interactive. You are welcome to listen in and/or observe though, if you prefer.
• You are welcome to keep your camera off, eat, and/or participate in any other activity that will make you feel comfortable during the session.
• This session will NOT be recorded. Anything shared by individual attendees in the session will and should remain confidential and anonymous. A summary of key general themes that emerge from the event may be shared on social media.
• If tickets are sold out when you'd like to purchase, or you are unable to attend this event on this occassion, please complete this form to express interest in similar future events.
• For any other questions, please email rozenafreelancer@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you at the session!