These books opened my eyes to the power of self-healing and the mind-body-spirit connection. I began to see that I had the ability to reshape my life, to reclaim my thoughts, and to cultivate a new reality. Self-care became my first, essential tool – it was how I began to take my power back, one small step at a time. As a mother of two young children, something as simple as putting on moisturizer after a shower became a radical act of self-love. Louise Hay's affirmations played in the background, reminding me that I deserved this care. This was my awakening – the spark that ignited a decade of growth, healing, and self-discovery.
From there, I delved into everything I could find on personal development. Meditation became my daily sanctuary at 5 a.m., and journaling allowed me to unravel the layers of my mind, heart, and soul. I explored my relationship with my body, my health, my childhood wounds, and the limiting beliefs that had held me back for so long. I even worked with a coach who introduced me to hypnotherapy, helping me to unlock the doors to deeper healing. I immersed myself in this journey of discovery, connecting with my spiritual self in ways I had never allowed before.
And then, something else happened. My PhD research, focused on Afghan women's voices and experiences with peace, security, and women's rights, began to open my eyes to a deeper truth. Through my academic work, I recognized a pattern – one that wasn't just confined to Afghan women but resonated deeply with Muslim women everywhere. I began to understand how patriarchal interpretations of Islam had shaped, limited, and even oppressed us as women. It became clear that so many of the narratives we were given about our roles, our rights, and our worth were not rooted in the core ethics of Islam, but rather in cultural biases that had been masked as religious truth.
This realization sparked a fire within me. I dove headfirst into Islamic feminism, unearthing empowering interpretations and perspectives that resonated with the love, justice, and equality that I had always believed were at the heart of Islam. I began to see the difference between the Islam of truth and the Islam of tradition. I felt a calling to share this knowledge, to empower other Muslim women with the understanding that they, too, could reclaim their faith, their voice, and their power.
This was how WeRise was born – out of a burning desire to bring these transformative insights to every woman who feels confined by outdated beliefs, to every woman who questions her worth and her place, and to every woman who longs to reconnect with a faith that truly liberates rather than restricts.
Through WeRise, I aim to create a space for Muslim women to heal, grow, and awaken to their true selves. My journey has led me through layers of pain, joy, rebellion, and self-acceptance. I have faced my fears, challenged deeply rooted beliefs, and found the courage to live unapologetically as the woman I was meant to be – not dictated by societal standards, not by false patriarchal ideas disguised as ‘Islam’ - but by my own inner guidance, strength, self-trust and the hidden knowledge that I discovered on my journey with Islamic feminism.
Knowledge is Power. It has the power to liberate you and awaken to you to a life of ease, confidence and peace as a Muslim women that you never knew was posssible! No more guilt, shame, self-doubt, frustration, inner conflict and mental gymnastics to try and fit into the mold of the ‘Ideal Muslimah’.
I want this for you. I want you to know that your journey to empowerment is not only possible but inevitable if you dare to embrace it. Let me guide you to that place of peace, purpose, and power. Together, we can dismantle the barriers holding you back and help you rise into the woman you were always meant to be. This is the path to true liberation – not just for me, but for all of us.
Welcome to WeRise. Let's rise together.