This time last year I started contemplating wearing the hijab again after a few years of not observing it. I knew it was an obligation and it would be something that would bring me closer to Allah but I was also scared for several reasons: the thought of taking it off again, feeling like a hypocrite, not being good enough, not being ‘spiritually there yet’ and lastly, how the people around me would react. What I realised is, that I’m never going to be perfect, and there will probably never come one singular moment where I feel like I’ve attained a spiritual level where ‘I am now ready.’ Nor do ..read more

Your 5-step preparation guide to help you navigate Ramadan as a working Muslim woman. As Ramadan approaches, working Muslim women face the unique challenge of balancing their spiritual and professional lives. Observing Ramadan alongside work commitments can be difficult and requires careful planning and thoughtful preparation. From managing work schedules to prioritising spiritual practices and maintaining well-being, the path to a fulfilling Ramadan experience for working women is paved with intentionality and resilience. In this guide, we offer a roadmap tailored to the needs of working Musl ..read more

Ramadan is one of the most important times of the year for Muslims all over the world. It is a time for reflection, prayer and fasting, but it can also be an opportunity to reduce our food waste. Muslims are encouraged to practise virtuous eating habits by reducing their food waste and focusing on sustainability in all aspects of their lives.  This Ramadan, let us focus on mindful consumption by planning meals ahead of time and shopping for only what is necessary, intentional eating and ensuring minimum food waste. This will go hand in hand with moderate consumption; thereby not only will ..read more

In a world that often pits women against each other, it’s important to remember the power of supporting and uplifting one another. From the gender pay gap to the lack of representation in leadership positions, the deck is often stacked against us. That’s why we need to cultivate the belief that supporting other women is more empowering than competing with them, now more than ever. As a working woman from an ethnic minority background, I know first-hand the challenges that come with trying to succeed in a world that isn’t always fair. And let me tell you, it’s not always pretty. I’ve seen the r ..read more

Shazia Parveen is a RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Officer for the East Midlands and has been a mentor with MWC since January 2021. She has previously held roles as a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, Ward Sister and Nurse in the NHS. Throughout her career, Shazia has stood for justice, using her voice and actions to bring about change. For me, during Ramadan, routine is extremely important to balance work life and health. Since we have the longer fasts, I try and get a nap where possible during the day to allow rest even if it’s after work. Reading the Quran is spread out during the prayers ..read more

Jennifer Ogunyemi is the founder of the award winning Sisters in Business, the largest community of Muslim businesswomen in Europe. Jennifer is an inspiring speaker, published author and business and confidence coach. She has been a mentor with MWC since January 2021. As with every year I look around me and see so many getting into the Ramadan vibe, the excitement that ensues because a beautiful holy month is upon us. If I said that I don’t feel that excitement, in fact I become scared, quiet and my thoughts around fasting intensifies. This was me just 3 – 4 years ago!  Since my rever ..read more

Ramadan Kareem! We pray that this month is spiritually transformative and healing, for Allah SWT to accept our efforts, and to leave this month feeling closer to our Lord, Allahumma Ameen. This Ramadan, Muslim Women Connect have put together a comprehensive guide for employers and organisations to help build inclusivity in the workplace by raising awareness of Ramadan and suggesting how organisations can support their Muslim colleagues during this important month. Workplace Inclusion: Ramadan – a guide for employers and organisations For an overwhelming majority of Muslims, Ramadan is the bes ..read more

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a celebration of the social, economical, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe. Supported by millions for more than a century (the first IWD gathering being in 1911), IWD does not belong to a single country, group or organisation specifically. Rather, IWD is a collective effort by groups everywhere. This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias which encourages a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination, where each of our differences are valued and celebrated. To mark International Women’s Day 2022, Muslim Women Connect will be in tal ..read more

The year 2021 has been a year of growth, lessons and blessings for Muslim Women Connect, Alhamdulillah. Expanding the MWC Mentoring Programme Like many services, our Mentoring Programme was driven online due to the pandemic. We took this as an opportunity and for the first time ever, we expanded our services beyond London and opened our flagship mentoring programme to applicants across the United Kingdom! This expansion of services was met with a huge response from our community and we received record numbers of applications from women across the UK. MWS rose to meet this demand and delivered ..read more

Summer. The warmth, longer days and beating sun are my favourite things about this season. Everything is full of life. Maybe it’s the balmy evenings or maybe it’s the way the sun covers everything in a reflective haze, but the mid-way point of the year is always a grounding moment for me. Each year I’m shocked at how fast time has gone by, and each time I’m amazed at how much has changed. I’m forced to reflect; I think about this time last year and all that has happened since. Change. So much has changed. I’m me but in so many ways I’ve changed with time, with the seasons. I’ve grown, in fait ..read more