Last Sunday NASR, in association with Hikma Books, joined with 30 other Muslim, Arab, and community organizations to help fundraise for the Federation of Muslim Women. This year marks the 10th anniversary for FMW and it was an evening filled with strength and inspiration as keynote speaker Dr. Monia Mazigh gave an intimate talk about her experiences negotiating with the government to bring home her husband, Maher Arar, from a prison cell in Syria.

Her moving speech, along with passages read from her new book, Hope and Despair, helped highlight the need for more Muslim women to become involved in their communities. This theme was felt throughout the night as FMW speakers and entertainers noted the gaps in politics, education, the Arts, homelessness prevention and poverty reduction strategies that women can fill to help empower and strengthen the Ummah.