* Holds 3-day Conference, focuses on three focal points of humans (COMPLETE REPORT)
The need for Muslim women to set boundaries with opposite gender in the workplace came to the front burner at the 2024 Professional Women Conference organised by the Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation.
Muslim professionals were also reminded to be good ambassadors of Islam and see their various fields of endeavours as avenues to serve Allah by making the life of Muslims better in whichever sector they find themselves.
The 3rd edition of the 3-day conference that was held from Thursday, 24th to Sunday, 27th October 2024 at Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos, had the theme: “Unleashing Women’s Potentials: Education, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship”.
Muslim News gathered that members of the Organisation and representatives of other female professional groups were physically present during the three-day event, while others from within and outside Nigeria joined virtually.
The conference afforded participants to network, interact and have wonderful experiences that will linger for some time.
Speaking during a panel discussion, panellists from the fields of education and health, among others disclosed that free-mixing is prevalent in many workplaces, adding that there is a need for Muslim women to adhere to Islamic principles without jeopardising interpretation of relationship with their co-workers irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Interact with co-workers based on Islamic principles of modesty, kindness: Prof Idowu
While speaking on the Islamic perspective of women interaction in the workplace, especially with the male counterparts, Prof. Khadeejah Idowu from Lagos State University (LASU) said a Muslim woman is expected to interact with her co-workers using basic teachings such as modesty, kindness, respect, humility, justice, fairness, and so many of them.
According to her, “Traditionally, Muslim women are expected to stay in their houses but if the need arises to go outside and work in offices that have mixed genders, how would they conduct themselves? How do they relate and interact, especially with the opposite sex.
“When we go to the mosque, Muslim women stay on one side, while the men stay on another side of the mosque. But when you get to the workplace, all of us are working together. How do we as Muslim women still maintain our space even while working with your co-workers either male of female?
It is, therefore, important for Muslim women to realize who they are and set their boundaries, limits and let others know them for who they are. They should let them know what they can and can’t take. Let their co-workers know their values, and with time they will come to accept them without compromising the limits set by Islam.”
Prof. Idowu called on Muslims to adhere to Islamic principles of relating with opposite genders without jeopardising their professionalism and ethics of work-relationship.
“We should apply the Prophet (SAW)’s methodology. Despite their hostility towards him, he was still cautious with them. He treated them with patience. That’s the same way we should try to relate with our colleagues who don’t understand our ways. Try to still relate with them while maintaining a stand. With that, we live in peace and work together for the success of the Organisation.”
Observe inner hijab at workplace without losing track, says Hajia Adams
The Deputy Director, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Hajia Aisha Adams, in her own submission, reminded Muslimah to remember that the hijab they are wearing is outward, urging them to also observe the inner one which is based on their verbal and non-verbal interactions with opposite gender, without losing track.
She said, “Today, we also have people communicating virtually. As Muslimahs, we must still maintain decorum. We must still remember the injunctions of Allah (S.W.T). There are several verses in the Qur’an including in Suratu Nur, where Allah (S.W.T) calls on the men and the women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. Guarding chastity encompasses a lot.
“Another verse warning the women to not be too soft in speech. So, whether you are communicating physically or virtually, you should watch out and be on guard. Don’t be too casual. Don’t be too emotional, not to leave room for other unnecessary social interactions that might lead to a mess or put you in a tight corner, because we are accountable to Allah (S.W.T).
“Our going out is for a purpose. When we are interacting, we should be straight to the point, brief, especially when it is with men. We should make our communication formal as much as possible. We should not allow unnecessary communications or interactions that would lead to what Allah (S.W.T) does not want, which might lead to committing sin.
…The vulnerability of Muslim children
Hajia Adams also emphasised that Muslim children who belong to the Generation Z are more vulnerable to their social interactions with the opposite sex, especially with their use of social media.
“They should also remember every action of Muslims should translate to worship. Thus, they should remember that it is not only when you’re on Solat that you’re standing before Allah.
“For whatever they are doing, they are under the watchful eyes of Allah and as such they are going to account for everything they do. They should stay firm on the path of Allah, continue to pray to Allah and do what Allah has commanded,” she noted.
Challenges of free-mixing in medical environments for Muslimah: Dr. Adenowo
Also speaking, a lecturer at the Department of Medical Biochemistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Dr. Abiola Fatimah Adenowo gave practical examples of challenges Muslimah face in medical environments in adherence to Islamic principles on opposite genders.
According to her, “The challenges are multifaceted. Muslimah, especially the adults coming for medical attention are faced with challenges of who is going to attend to them due to the limited number of females in the medical profession.
“We don’t have enough female Doctors, nurses among others. When female patients come to the hospitals, there is no possibility of getting a female like myself to attend to them. Some of them ended up being attended to by male professionals.
She however noted that the challenges can be overcome by encouraging more Muslimah particularly younger ones to take up medical related professions such as Nursing, Medicine, saying doing that will go a long way in protecting the privacy and sanctity of Muslimah.
Speaking further, Dr Adenowo said, “For the workers, the Doctors don’t really have much challenges in terms of discrimination. But for the nurses, it has actually improved with time, Alhamdulillahi. Nurses now get to use the Hijab even though it is small anyway.
On coping with opposite sex at workplace, the varsity lecturer noted that free-mixing is everywhere including in the medical profession but said there should be coping mechanism to curb it.
“Relating with the opposite sex is one of the focuses of Al-Mu’minaat Professional programme. That coping mechanism has to be put in place, there is no running away from that. It is a challenge but it still has to be faced and we need to make the best out of it and make things work as Nurses and Doctors. Free mixing is everywhere anyway.”
Muslim women should take up leadership roles: Dr Adenowo
Muslim News learnt that the three-day Professional Women Conference also featured a panel discussion on leadership where Muslim professionals, especially women are urged to take leadership positions in their various careers and make significant impact.
Dr. Adenowo said the lack of fear of Allah among the leaders is one of the contributing factors to the challenges bedeviling the country, adding that if the leaders are just, truthful, they will be successful.
“For us as Muslim professionals, this programme serves as a reminder that we have to take up some leadership positions at one point or the other in our career and use it to serve Allah in accordance with Islamic injunctions.”
She expressed happiness relating with fellow professionals who came from different States for the programme.
She added, “I have actually learnt a lot despite the fact that this is not my first time attending the programme. I have picked a lot of things that I can actually use to improve myself as a professional.
Muslim professionals should emulate Prophet Muhammad’s exemplary leadership traits: Alhaja Olaleye
Also speaking, the Principal Alaye Senior School, Ayetoro, Yewa North, Ogun State, Alhaja Rafiat Olusoji Olaleye said she was fulfilled attending the Conference being her first, describing it as an awesome experience.
Alhaja Olaleye, two-term former Amirah Al-Mu’minaat, Egba Yewa Zone, said, “It is a programme every female Muslim professional should be encouraged to attend. They have a lot to gain towards their different professions, administration, and their work.”
The Woman Leader, Egba Yewa Zone also spoke on leadership during the panel discussion where she called on every Muslim professional at the helm of affairs to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s exemplary leadership traits considered to be the best in the history of mankind.
According to her, As a leader, you don’t see yourself as a superman or superwoman. You have to carry all and sundry along in your institution or in organisation where you are the head. That’s the kind of leadership role put in place by our beloved Prophet (SAW) and it’s expected for us to emulate him.
“It’s a transformational, collaborative type of leadership. In the end, the objectives of the Organisation will be achieved and there will be progress when there is collaboration as a team”, she said.
Other highlights of 3-Day event
Muslim News Correspondent at the 3-Day Professional Women Conference reports that it started on Thursday, with exegesis of the Quran 3: 190-195 where Allah explores leadership, education and deep thinking (entrepreneurship).
It was anchored by the Mudir (Principal) of Madrasat Sahwatul Islamiyah, Iwaya, Lagos and Deputy Registrar at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Ustadh Saeed Salman.
We must set clear boundaries between work and personal activities: Dr Oshodi
The conference continued later on Friday with a special session on “work-life balance and self care” jointly coordinated by the Public Health Physician and Assistant Director, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Mariam Oshodi and Matron Fatimah Adeyemo, from Edo State.
Dr Oshodi refers to “Work-life balance and self care” as the harmony and separation between one’s professional life and personal life, saying, “it involves managing time, priority, energy and to be able to satisfy both the work and personal responsibilities while maintaining critical, mental, emotional and social well-being of the individual.”
She noted that the objectives include ensuring the maintenance of a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self care, both of which are very crucial to overall well-being of the people
The Public Health Physician disclosed that work-life balance and self care helps to reduce stress, improve sleep and boost the immune system, as it also reduces chronic diseases, increases our happiness, and enhances resilience.
She highlighted that setting clear boundaries, time allocation for work and personal activities, learning to say “no”, (you don’t have to accept everything), learning to take regular breaks and communicating with loved ones, among others are essentials to achieving work-life balance and self care.
Resilience, confidence among tools for entrepreneurship mindsets: Dhikrullah-Badru
Also on Friday, Muslim News learnt that the conference paraded emerging and growing Muslim entrepreneurs who sensitised the participants on leveraging on media strategies and marketing with the use of social media.
Some of them are CEO of Sumadenike Clothing, Hajia Sumayyah Dhikrullah-Badru; Director of Dream Park Montessori, Hajia Rahmot Oguntola; and Rector, Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, who was represented by his daughter, Hajia Habeebah Ibraheem, the owner of Beebahtics Robotikids, among others.
Hajia Adenike-Badru identified confidence and resilience among the tools/factors that enhances entrepreneurial mindsets.
Speaking on the topic: “Entrepreneurship mindsets”, the CEO of Sumadenike Clothing, Hajia Dhikrullah-Badru encouraged the participants not to be scared of failure and urging them to pick up and re-strategise and move on.
Avoid extraneous buying of gifts for orphans, Alhaja Akinlabi urges widows
A session on inheritance, tagged: “From Glory to Lost: Coping with Widowhood”, was handled by a team from Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation scholars.
Also speaking during the session on financial literacy for widows, a retired Director of Education and Research, Audit Department in the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation, Abuja, Alhaja Sherifat Akinlabi -Raji revealed that many widows are faced with financial challenges while those who have the money are experiencing difficulty in spending it judiciously.
“That’s why we educated ourselves on financial literacy. We talked about budgets, identifying one’s expenses and sources of income so as not to fall on extraneous or impulsive buying as a result of advertisement without leading into financial problems in the future. We trained ourselves on how to prioritize our demands and what we should attain at each point in time.
She said, “A child might impress one, and for the fact that his father is dead, and you want to compensate him with a gift, you must think about the gift, and how it is going to affect the child.
For instance, a widow living with 2 to 3 children in a rented or barrack-like apartment that desires to buy a bicycle for a child, where will he be riding it? Inside the barack-like apartment or near the road? There is a need to prioritize gifts we are buying for the orphans and ensure that it’s necessary.
“As for the widows that are paying rents, they can go into contributions, cooperative, and the likes and the issue of school fees, this can be left in the bank. If the woman is a person that earned, part of her earning can be left in bank so that the money will keep increasing through continuous savings and when is the time to pay school fees, it’ll be easy to withdraw.
Our conference theme addressed three focal points of humans: Hajia Adeagbo-Jubril
Also speaking with Muslim News on the sidelines of the event, the National Professional Officer the Organisation, Hajia Busrah Adeagbo-Jubril said the conference’s theme addressed three focal points of humans.
According to her, The Professional has always been a Wing of Al-Mu’minaat but the Conference started three years ago. This year is the 3rd edition and we dissected the theme, “Unleashing Women’s Potential: Education, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship”.
“The theme focused on the essence of humanity. Firstly, It talks about education which has to be acquired by all, as taught us by the Prophet (SAW), who said, “If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
“We want to take them back to the basis because it’s through education that Allah made Adam above all the angels. He passed the test of Allah by naming objects which the angels didn’t know to establish that human beings were the best thing to create by Allah in His wisdom. That is where education emanates from.
In the current situation of Nigeria, everyone wants to be ‘a content creator’, and without education, you cannot be a better person with what you are doing.
An adage says, ” If you want to keep something for the black man, put it in the book” because the black wouldn’t read it, so we need to go back to education.
While speaking on the second focal point which is entrepreneurship, Hajia Adeagbo-Jubril called on Muslims not to depend on the government will do everything for the people.
He said, “We should not depend on the government. Everyone must be able to earn something, and as Muslims, paying zakat is one of our pillars, and if there’s no economy variable, we cannot pay for zakat, and that calls for entrepreneurship. During the conference, we talked about the entrepreneurship mindset, building comfort and resilience.
“The last focal point is Leadership: We are all leaders in our various capacities, especially at home. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects.” (Bukhari and Muslim) So, anywhere we find ourselves as entrepreneurs, we are leaders at work or home, and we should lead by example and excel by unleashing our potential to do more.”
Amirah implores Muslim female professionals not to relent in their efforts
In her opening remarks, Amirah Al-Mu’minaat, Hajia Jelilah AbdulHameed gave thanks to Almighty Allah while appreciating the unflinching supports and efforts of the committee for the success of the Conference.
“Despite all odds, we were able to plan and execute this event. We would not have been able to do the little we did, if not for the efforts of you all my dear sisters that believe that the work of Allah will continue as we give no room for complacency,” she noted.
She said the theme was carefully chosen to awaken them from the slumber, adding, “It is a wake up to us all as values have changed in the world over and Muslimah are also affected one way or the other. We must not let down our guards. Allah AWJ has enjoined us to keep striving in Quran 9 vs 105.
Hajia AbdulHameed implored Muslim female professionals not to relent in their efforts amidst various challenges facing the society, ranging from insecurities (socioeconomic, kidnapping, banditry etc), unemployment, lawlessness etc.
“We need to be dynamic in approach, be that strong muslimah who is strong in faith, physically, emotional and psychologically fit, time conscious as well as being beneficial to others.
“At this juncture, I call on us all to be steadfast, security conscious and never be afraid to stand up for the truth and against oppression/falsehood at all times in the same vein, we call on the government across all levels to fulfill the covenant of governance, to protect all citizenry.
She charged the government to stop the lip service attention to the girl child and provide inclusive education for all and bring perpetrators of crimes to book at all times so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
Amirah Al-Mu’minaat urged participants to go back to their community parenting and spread the message of Islam to all and sundry.
“Finally, we must believe in women. We must trust their abilities, value their perspectives, and support their aspirations.
“To my Muslimah, here: , I say: your potential is limitless. Your voice matters. Your story deserves to be told. Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle or dim your light.
“To the men in this room, I say: you are crucial allies in this journey. Your support, your advocacy, and your solidarity can make all the difference.
“Together, let’s unleash the potential of women. Let’s create a world where every woman can thrive, every girl can dream, and every community can flourish”, she added.
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