Canadian Council of Muslim Women
Edmonton Chapter
Annual Report 20i0 to 2011
March 1, 2011

The CCMW Edmonton Chapter was involved in the following activities

1. There were 4 focus groups of Muslim Women held during this year to discuss the structure and
   contents of human rights document and the chapter also requested the feedback from the
   participants

2. An event for the members and others was arranged where 25 women were present.

   a. A local lawyer made a presentation on POLIGAMY. It was agreed by the majority of the
   women that POLIGAMY should not be practiced as is required by the law of the land.
   However, one member emphasized it should not be prohibited as it is part of our religious
   culture.

   b. Edmonton Chapter presented an ongoing research on Human Rights Education for Muslim
   Women. This project is sponsored by Alberta Human Rights Commission. The participants
   exhibited lots of interest and couple of women suggested that in addition to written
   documents, there should be a video preparation on the same topic. (To be classified as 2nd
   project). Our project director communicated that it is already part of our Research Proposal
   As at that time this was work in progress it was stated that a video will be made depending
   on the availability of funds from the Federal Government. (The funds have now been
   received)

3. We had the privilege of hosting Professor Ghada Talhami from Chicago. She spoke about
   Muslim Women in the Middle East AND the changes that are taking place which are initiated by
   the women’s group. It was seen as a very hopeful sign for Muslim women.

4. There is a strong representation of CCMW Edmonton Chapter, through its member’s
   participation, on the following Edmonton Organizations;-

   a. Edmonton Council of Muslim communities

   b. Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action

   c. United Muslim Women

   d. Inter Cultural action Committee for Advancement of Women

5. Future Plans include making the following Presentations:

   a. Marriage Kit

   b. Presentation on findings of Human Rights Project.

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We had five meetings on muslim women under the project "Canadian Muslim women and human right".  Under the same project we held four consultation meetings with Muslim scholars and community leaders. Three of those meetings were held with human right experts.

Canada's first mosque AL-RASHID was opened this year for visitors and our CCMW's volunteers helped with it.

Our CCMW members who are also members of "Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities"(ECMC) organised an inter faith Iftar during Ramazan at Islamic Academy in memory of Larry Shaben and number of inter faith groups attended.

Our President Soraya Hafiz is with "Arab Jewish Women Peace Coalition" and has recently visited Jerusalem with the group. Canadian Council of Muslim Women members are also members of Edmonton Heritage Council and also represented at North Alberta Alliance For Race Relations"(NAARR).

Our project director had organised a forum of Muslim women in Calgary on "human right and Muslim women project " in October. Our members are also involved in charity work in Edmonton.

Our future plans are to collaborate with other mainstream Muslim women organisations.

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