The Manchester-based Equality and Human Rights Commission today started the first Muslim Women Power List, which aims to celebrate Muslim women who have already reached the top of their chosen field or are on the way there. The commission is now accepting nominations for the list, which will be revealed at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester on the March 24, 2009. Any British Muslim woman over the age of 18 and in employment is eligible and nominations may be submitted by or on behalf of an individual. The closing date is February 16, and nominations can be submitted via www.thelist2009.com
The commission said this is the first time an organization has sought to identify and celebrate professional Muslim women in this way. The project is piloted this year with a view to maintaining a network of women who can benefit from each others’ experiences of forging a career, the commission said. Trevor Phillips, chair of commission, said: “Society is in the habit of putting labels on people. There aren’t many groups I can think of who are more stereotyped yet less understood by the wider community than working Muslim women.
