Updated 24 September 2008

On 8 August 2008, the Ahlul Bayt Islamic Sisters Network (ABISN) held its second annual Women’s Forum.  Some of the key agenda items included “Empowering Women for Various Skills”, “Promoting Self-Sufficiency”, and “Teaching and Enhancing Education”. The Forum began with introductory speeches which stressed the importance of education. In addition, students of one of the schools there performed a play on woman’s rights, and in particular, the right to education.

EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR VARIOUS SKILLS
Women are currently facing a number of challenges and the ABISN is available to help them obtain an education. A plan was presented where initially ten Muslim women over 15 years of age would be sponsored to receive education, taking courses that were 3 to 12 months in length.

SUPPORTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY
ABISN has a program in place to help its members start up or expand their business by providing them with loans. An evaluation of the progress of this initiative will now take place in the weeks and months ahead. 

TEACHING AND ENHANCING EDUCATION       
ABISN is making plans to open a library to providing resources for its members as well as to provide an opportunity to sell books.