Time to get to know our next Imaan Networking Team Member!

 Laila Alabidi - Social Networking Manager- Imaan Networking

I am an English-Palestinian Muslim woman living in East London. I grew up in the United Arab Emirates (the country which houses Dubai), and have been back in the UK for 9 years, the last 3 of which I have spent in London. I have a PhD in Theoretical Cosmology which I am putting to good use as a research assistant at Queen Mary University of London, conducting research into the origins of the universe, and how it evolved. 

My field of work has a scarcity of women and hence I found it quite a challenge to meet and make friends with like minded women. I was rubbing along nicely, having met people through house sharing with some lovely people and the various Palestine related activities which I was involved in. However, I felt there was a lack of opportunities to meet more Muslim women, working in London, with whom I could just relax, socialize and commiserate with about our experiences and challenges being a professional Muslim woman, living on her own. In this sense, I feel Imaan Networking really met a crucial need in the Muslim community in London. Through the various events which have been organised, I have met scores of Muslim women in London, with whom I feel I have much in common, and since they have such a diverse range of expertise and interests, I am also getting the chance to explore different activities in London.

In summary, I feel that Imaan Networking has allowed me to feel a part of London life, without having to feel the need to compromise or explain my Muslim or even Arab idiosyncrasies, and I no longer feel like I am simply on the fringes of the city.

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Assalaamu alaykum

We will be sharing some profiles for each of our committe members, so you can get to know them better!

Zahida Essa – Vice Chair Imaan Networking

I am originally from a small town ‘up north’ and have been in London for 10 years. Coming from a very small community it has been difficult to adapt to the fast pace of life that is London. I have been lucky to have been brought up surrounded with lots of family who have always been there to support me in all aspects of my life. However, moving to London meant that I had to quickly adapt to being reliant on myself with very little support.

I am a solicitor involved in child protection work and have worked for local government for 6 years. I also have a young daughter and so between work,  which can be demanding and my young daughter there has been very little time to meet and build up a circle of friends with whom I could socialise and who shared similar values and could relate to my circumstances.

Imaan networking is made up of a variety of girls, many of whom have also left their families behind to join the fast paced London life. During Ramadan in 2009, having iftaar with a group of these friends even once or twice a week made a huge difference to the past lonely ramadan’s that I have had to adapt to. I have even met 2 girls who live a stone throw away from me that I had never met before! For me Imaan networking has meant that I have made some really good friends who I know I will stay in touch with for many years to come.

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" I grew up watching Wimbledon tennis on TV and since I have moved to the UK,  have wanted to attend a match live- but didnt have any company and my husband is more interested in football right now! Which is why I was so excited about this Imaan Networking event - finally a chance to spend the day with awesome ladies at Wimbledon Championships!

We had a great day, first the 3 hour queing from 6:30am, trying to shade from the heat, looking for the top players and so glad for great company who joined me in our almost 2 hour wait to watch the William sisters!

May sound cliche, but I wouldnt have had such a great chance for such an exciting event if it wasnt for Imaan Networking. Thanks to Zahida for organising :) "

Taskeen Jamal Karim
Surrey, UK