Remembering Aminah Assilmi
Assalamu alaikum
I do not know any Muslim woman leader in America who has personally touched the lives of as many women and men as Aminah Assilmi did. She was a true grassroots leader and servant of Allah.
For those of us who knew her or had heard her speak, Aminah Assilmi's strength of faith and confidence in Islam was remarkable.
She was one of the most selfless people I have ever met, never asking me for a favor or anything, really, while never refusing to help Sound Vision or any other cause. Her zeal for educating others about Islam, and particularly, about women's rights in an Islamic context, was intense. But her message was always delivered with calmness, poise and dignity. She was never loud, crude or malicious. And her message did get across.
Countless young Muslims, both men and women, learned not only about rights that Muslim women were entitled to in Islam's primary texts through Assilmi's lectures. They also learned how to counteract present-day denials of those rights within the Muslim community with knowledge and a positive attitude.
Even when she was reprimanded for speaking out, she never gave up on the Muslim community here or anywhere else. She continued her work to help both Muslims and non-Muslims better understand the faith she chose to adopt in 1977. She did this through trials and difficulties that would weaken anybody else: cancer, homelessness, poverty, disability and more.
This week, we remember the life and lessons from Sr. Aminah Assilmi, whose remarkable sacrifices and strength of faith must not be forgotten.
Peace,
Abdul Malik Mujahid
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