A center commemorating Muslim women’s history and accomplishments will join UT’s campus. Asma Abdel Halim, UT associate professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, is the innovator behind the project.
Abdel Halim said that she was motivated to bring the Center of Muslim Women because of the stereotypes perpetuated about Muslim women.
She said that this center would serve as a tool to answer anyone’s questions, Muslim or non-Muslims, about Muslim women in relation to Islam.
Abdel Halim organized a lunch open to the public hosted by the Eberly Center for Women and held in Tucker Hall to introduce her upcoming project.
She said that the center will be housed in the Women’s and Gender Studies department in University Hall.
Fatima Hayani, professor of Islamic Law, was in attendance at the lunch when the center was announced.
She said that this center could function as, “a resource to help [individuals who come to the center].”
“I am an expert in dealing with court cases and dealing with family law,” Hayani said. “So if [individuals] have any questions about Islamic law or where women stand within Islam, [this center could then serve as a resource.]”
Karie Peralta, a UT associate sociology professor, was also in attendance. She said that she came to the lunch because she was interested in learning more about Muslim culture to better serve the Muslim students in her classes.
“This center could help to accompany UT Muslim students in their academic journeys, create opportunities for intergroup dialogue, raise awareness of the social issues that Muslim women face and advocate for women’s rights issues,” Peralta said.
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