Turning Point Celebrates Women's History Month  

Turning Point's staff and volunteers pulled off yet another successful event attend by 60 people including leaders and member of the NYC Muslim community, supporters and youth members. This event was planned in the usual spirit of Women's History Month and a fundraiser for Turning Point's MSW scholarship fund.  However, we decided to change plans and use the opportunity to pay tribute to Aasiya Zubair who was murdered while attempting to escape domestic violence. The tribute was followed by a panel discussion on domestic violence.  

Our wonderful and creative youth members opened the event by reading pieces they had written, which were inspired by Aasiya Zubair and her life's accomplishments. Audience members cheered them on and later commented on how impressed they were by the group of young Muslim high schoolers.  

The panel discussion included Muslim women experts who discussed the impact of domestic violence on the Muslim American community, the need for the community to take responsibility and overcome denial and bring this issue into the spotlight.  Also discussed were ways in which to respond when women and children were confronted with abuse and the importance of social work education in addressing it.  The panel included Shaida Khan of Domestic Harmony Foundation (L.I), Robina Niaz of Turning Point, Amna Akbar of NYU's International Human Rights Clinic, and Wahiba Abu-Ras of SSW at Adelphi University.  Moderated by Su'ad Abdul Khabeer, the panelists addressed a diverse audience which included both Muslim and non-Muslim women and men from different backgrounds.  
 

The presentations were followed by an intense Q & A and a dialogue between the audience and the panelists.  The interest in the audience underscored the need for more events of this nature. As sensitive and heavy as the issues were, there was a general feeling of warmth and support. Children were playing in the background, while their activist parents shared the stories of their struggle and frustration of working against violence against women. It was also wonderful to see many new faces in attendance. Certainly, Turning Point is growing and more and more people are learning about the important work that is being done. However, the lack of and urgent need for Muslim service providers was also recognized. Wahiba Abu-Ras, also a Turning Point board member, spoke about the scholarship fund for one Muslim woman graduate student who is accepted to Hunter College School of Social Work. The aim of the scholarship is to raise awareness of the importance of this work and encourage Muslim women to enter the social work fields.  

We urge our supporters to help make us meet our goal of $15,000 for the first MSW scholarship.  Please click (add link) here to donate 
 
 

 
 

POEMS READ BY YOUTH MEMBERS IN HONOR OF AASIYA ZUBAIR
 

Silence

by Gehad Saber, 16, Al-Noor School 
 

A gruesome action that leaves so many despairing

It had started out as a normal Thursday morning

Cars coming, people going

But who would have known, that one person would really go

A hero silenced

Look at her and tell me what you see

Do you see what I see?

A beautiful, brave, accomplished hero

Aasiya Zubair

Remember the name

 

A victim who represents the struggle of so many

Patient, strong souls

Just waiting for the day

To break away

 

After her death

What do you think her children have left?

Separation, pain, and confusion

Their hearts taking it all in

 

This is just one of the many conclusions

When abuse goes on without a solution

And too often this is the result of domestic violence

So do you think we should still keep our silence? 
 
 

The Voice

By Jeanine Alokush, 15, Townsend Harris High School 
 

What is it like to have a voice?

Just because of who I am, a woman, I should not think?

I believe I have the choice

To let my wisdom sink

Into your mind and soul

And inspire you to be who you are

To reach your ultimate goal

And not complete some task or chore

Hold your head up high

In order to lead those in trouble

And listen to their cry

From beneath the rubble

We all witnessed how reality speaks for itself

And realize it isn't some happy ending fairytale

But rather a convoluted tale lying on a dusty shelf

With the dignity of women hidden in the darkness of jail

So all of you out there

Speak up and believe

Show that you care

And follow the goals you want to achieve