Inspiring Event: Women's Voices for Peace
"Why do we, women, need to be empowered? We are power itself. We don’t need the right to have a voice. We are the voice!"
- Navjot Kaur Virk
On November 28, 2024, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association in Walsall, supported by Nash Dom CIC and Walsall for All, hosted the "Women’s Voices for Peace" event at Baitul Muqeet Mosque. This gathering celebrated women’s achievements and explored their roles in nurturing peace within families and communities.
The event brought together over 80 women to celebrate diversity and the significance of women's contributions to the community. The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Brunch in Walsall, "Love for all and hatred for none," truly resonated with the spirit and atmosphere of the day.
Ana Tomulescu, VCS Lead for the South Locality of Walsall and Nash Dom CIC Project Development Director, emphasized the significance of women in everyone’s lives, particularly the impactful role of mothers. She stated, "You’re a hero in somebody’s life, and you can change lives more often than you think."
Dr Irena Hergottova, Head of Community Building and Cohesion, Resilient Communities in Walsall Council, highlighted the role of local authorities in creating a safe and welcoming environment to support each other in a multicultural and multi-faith society.
The event featured remarkable women from grassroots and interfaith backgrounds, female community leaders, mothers, and carers. Dr Hergottova pointed out that women often bear most of the psychological burden during difficult times, in addition to taking care of their families.
Speakers emphasized the importance of women’s voices in shaping peaceful communities. Navjot Kaur Virk, Head of the Department for Midwifery and Children at the University of Derby and Sikh faith education lead at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Derby, brilliantly explained the equality between men and women in Sikhism. She emphasized, "If we don’t talk, we don’t inspire anyone."
Carrie Blount from the Diocese of Lichfield, representing Places of Welcome, stressed the importance of unity and mutual support. Equally inspiring was Lisa Lucy, founder of Bluuprint CIC and Lucy’s Pantry in Walsall town centre, who shared her moving story of overcoming a troubled marriage and finding her voice through Christianity.
Speakers addressed crucial topics such as self-care and preventing self-destruction due to neglect of health and safety. These discussions encouraged participants to reflect on their lives and recognize the commonalities among different religious beliefs and the importance of supporting each other.
As Lucy said, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Professor Amtul Razzaq Carmichael discussed the role of Islam in promoting a peaceful society. Women are given rights for financial independence and education to enhance their lives. She said that Islam promotes peace by promoting absolute justice and grace as a basis of human relationship.
Dawn Ward, CBE Deputy Lieutenant, thanked the organizers for the invitation and praised the interfaith event, which brought together over 80 women from various religious and professional backgrounds.
The Women’s Voices for Peace event successfully fostered meaningful dialogue among attendees, promoting mutual understanding, cross-cultural, and interfaith collaboration. It showcased the strength and resilience of women leaders in Walsall while inspiring actionable steps toward a more resilient, inclusive, and peaceful community.
Dr Hergottova emphasized that the purpose of the gathering was not only "to put on a
brilliant event" but also "to connect with all the women and communicate with each other."
It was heartwarming to see Orthodox, Catholics, Anglicans, Muslims, Sikhs, and other faith representatives in the same room discussing the inspiring women in their lives. This made everyone feel united and proved that despite our faiths, we share a lot in common. As women, mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and community heroes, we all care about our families, friends, and society.
Quick Facts:
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Event: Women’s Voices for Peace
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Date: November 28, 2024
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Venue: Baitul Muqeet Mosque, 22 Vicarage Pl, Walsall WS1 3NA
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Organisers: Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association in Walsall, supported by Nash Dom CIC and Walsall for All
For more information, please contact:
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Yuliia Samoilenko - Communications Officer, Nash Dom CIC: yuliia.nashdom@gmail.com
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Naureen Bushra - Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association in Walsall: n.bushra@live.com
Feedback: “Thank you very much for such an amazing event. The guest speakers, who came from different backgrounds, delivered truly inspiring and interesting speeches. It was a privilege and an honour to be a part of it. P.S. The food was awesome! As always 😊”