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Women Who Inspire Awards 2022

Celebrating Leadership. Honouring Impact. Inspiring Change. 

Program Theme

The 2022 Women Who Inspire Awards and Dr. Lila Fahlman Scholarship presentations brought the community together virtually to celebrate the achievements of Canadian Muslim women. Marking a significant milestone, the theme “The Charter & CCMW at 40” honoured the 40th anniversaries of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, reflecting on their impact in advancing rights, equity, and inclusion.

The event featured speaker and MC Maryam Monsef, remarks by Iqra Khalid, a musical performance by Wajma Soroor, and an Indigenous perspectives session with Wendy M. Sturgeon. A panel discussion moderated by Naseem Mithoowani explored the theme in depth, alongside award and scholarship presentations that recognized leadership, impact, and community contribution.

Women of 2022

Ariana Yaftali

Employment and Income Assistance Counsellor (Government of Manitoba) and Co-Founder, Afghan-Canadian Women’s Organization

Farkhunda Muhtaj

Afghan-Canadian professional footballer, social activist and keynote speaker

Ganiyat Sadiq

Co-Founder and President, Black Inclusion Association, and Founder, IAmXMovement

Kubra Mir

Community Leader and Advocate for Women’s Empowerment and Civic Engagement

Saher Ahmed

PhD Candidate – Global Studies Political Science

Sania Chaudhry

Lawyer, Board Director (CBA Alberta), and President, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers – Western Chapter

Empowering Through Education

A central part of the Women Who Inspire Awards is the Lila Fahlman Scholarship, which supports Canadian Muslim women pursuing post-secondary education.

Established in memory of Dr. Lila Fahlman—an educator and a founding member of CCMW—the scholarship continues her legacy of empowerment through education.

  • Scholarships of $1,500 are awarded to recipients annually
  • Funds support women working toward academic and professional goals
  • The scholarship reflects a long-standing commitment to access, equity, and opportunity

The Awards event also serves as a fundraiser to sustain and grow this important initiative, ensuring that more women can access the resources they need to succeed.

A look back at 2021

The 2021 Women Who Inspire Awards and Scholarship presentations brought the community together virtually to honour trailblazing Canadian Muslim women from diverse backgrounds. Centered on the theme “Resilience and Self-Care in Turbulent Times,” the event created space to reflect on perseverance, wellbeing, and collective strength during a challenging year.

Featuring keynote remarks by Pashtana Durrani, spoken word by Frishta Bastan, and a musical performance by Sadaf Mohebbi, the gathering highlighted personal stories of resilience and the ongoing pursuit of equity and social justice—while celebrating community, care, and hope for the future.

Honouring Past Award Recipients

Explore the inspiring stories of Muslim women we’ve celebrated over the years.

Want to be a Part of Our Journey and Empower Muslim Women in Canada?

At the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW), we are committed to the equity, equality and empowerment of Muslim women in Canada. Your donation supports critical initiatives, including legal aid, emergency financial assistance, scholarships, advocacy, and education programs.

Every dollar you give helps build a more just and equitable society for Muslim women and girls.

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