An innovative voice for women

Aleema Nasir is an advocate of women empowerment, and serves as an activist in dispelling stereotypical beliefs about Muslim women in our society

By Venessa Deosaran

Aleema Nasir heads the women’s arm of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), and is Chairperson on The Rights of the Child Commission (RCC).

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Nasir spoke candidly of her life and work, revealing that she grew up in North Road, Georgetown, where she attended a primary school in that area and then went on to St Joseph High School, where she was given permission to start the first Islamic society in a Catholic school.

That sparked her interest in getting “out there”, being a voice for many, and effecting changes.

She related that her parents were the ones who provided the necessary upbringing to assist her and her four brothers to be the persons they are today – very successful people.

“My parents were very remarkable people. They put a lot of investment in me and my four brothers. Education was stressed in my family. My dad was a partner in one of the oldest law firms, Cameron and Shepherd, for many years. When he retired, he did a stint in the AG’s Chambers. My mom, a Trinidadian, also was very instrumental in our upbringing.

We grew up with a lot of love and understanding. We always had our meals together as a family; and my father would tell us stories and jokes and use those occasions to very subtly find out about us,” she reminisced.

Earlier years

She wed at an early age and migrated to live with her husband in Barbados. She lived out of Guyana for 18 years and had her three children at a very young age. “I have three children and I grew up with them. I was their friend and mother. Now they are all grown up and I have grandchildren from my son and older daughter. My younger daughter is currently pursuing further studies. They are all very accomplished,” the proud mother stated, and is thankful to her Creator for this blessing.

In Barbados, Nasir was the head of the women’s section of the Islamic centre. It was a new group formed in collaboration with various Islamic groups from Caribbean countries.

The soft-spoken activist who commands much attention from her male counterparts laughingly said she was the “rebel” of her Islamic group in Barbados. Due to her upbringing in Guyana, she gave advice to the youths in the pursuit of education and in the way of their dressing.

As a result of her welcoming and modern perspectives, they were drawn to her, and would often seek her advice on numerous matters. She said she felt loved and respected for her opinions.

Nasir returned to Guyana with her family in 1992, when she met current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Alli-Hack. This was the beginning of a lasting friendship, and they shared convictions on promoting the rights of women and welfare of the family.

“We are very good friends. We’re always mistaken for each other. When I returned, she was at the time setting up the women’s arm at CIOG in 1992. I was just in time to help in this venture. This was the first time in my life I was travelling to various places in Guyana,” she recalled.

“We have become such good friends we’re always mistaken for each other. When I returned, she was at the time setting up the women’s arm at CIOG in 1992. I was just in time to help in this venture. This was the first time in my life I was travelling to various places in Guyana,” she recalled.

Later, Nasir started a women’s group at the Queenstown Mosque, and then she was asked to sit on the Commission of the International Year of the Family in 1993.

It was her first public appearance, and she was noticed for her passion and years of service. She was then asked to sit on many committees, which up to present she has been doing.

One such committee is the National Breast Feeding Committee, in which she still plays a part. She has further done a stint of work with PAHO on health-related projects, and has also offered counseling on nutrition for older people; and later, saw the need for family counselling.

This propelled her to attend the University of Guyana, pursuing studies in family counselling. After completing her studies, she founded the Family Counselling Centre at CIOG.

Improving lives

Her aim is to improve the lives of women, whether Muslim or not, and her community projects are open to the wider community, not just Muslims. She is especially focused on family and the upbringing of children. She was elected chairperson at the RCC a few years ago, and her aim was to ensure the rights of children are upheld. Laws in this respect are reviewed and proposed amendments are presented, if necessary.

“We have a draft report completed on birth registration, in collaboration with UNICEF, and this will be launched very soon. Every child has a right to be registered and have a birth certificate. I just attended a seminar in Panama on Universal Birth Registration, where recommendations were being formulated to ensure that all children are registered,” she revealed.

Commenting on the clothing of a Muslim woman, Nasir said a Muslim woman must be modest at all times, and be covered, as her body is sacred. Only male family members are allowed to view her without her full attire. It also serves as protection against immoral behaviour.

“People treat you like a professional and give you that respect when you’re covered. Since the 9/11 incident, someone asked me if I was affected when I travel because of the way I dress; I have never encountered any problems. I guess it depends on one’s personality and professionalism,” Nasir declared.

When asked if being a Muslim woman and living the ultimate way of life of such affects her speaking out, Nasir said she has never been censored or restricted from voicing her opinions.

She currently serves as the only woman on the Executive Committee of the CIOG, being the head of the women’s arm.

While some have the perception that Muslim women are oppressed, she noted, is furthest from the truth, as Muslim women are in every profession around the world. Being a Muslim woman has never hindered her from fulfilling her role as a woman in fighting for a cause.

Her sense of fashion is one to be noted also. She would advise her fellow Muslim women who dress with similar attire that they can dress fashionably while remaining modest.

She once held fashion shows as a means of showcasing Islamic wear from all over the world. Clothes from Africa, Arabia, India and China were displayed. This event was attended by only females, as Muslim women are not allowed to exhibit in front of males.

“I also presented a fashion show at Carifesta X, where children displayed Islamic garb from all parts of the world, and this included sportswear also,” she noted.

Many things have changed drastically when it comes to certain perspectives on some issues regarding the women in the Muslim community. Aleema Nasir has been instrumental in assisting to clarify and dismiss narrow-minded thinking, and bringing a fresh new perspective to her Islamic way of life.

She added that she has a fulfilling life, and is very busy with her children, nieces and nephews, and would visit them often.

She is proud to be in a position where she can be of help to the wider community, and says she has a lot to thank Almighty God for. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)