Muslim Women A Force For Peace And Prosperity - Building Gender Balanced Business

A unique, new event using film and workshops to explore the potential positive leadership role of Muslim women across the world is being held at the UK think-tank, the RSA in London on March 30, 2009.

Created by the social entrepreneur and broadcaster Jobeda Ali, “Cineforum: Muslim Women – Visibility and Leadership” is part of the London Documentary Festival. Jobeda Ali said, “Inspired Women leaders are going to be vital in the coming years – we need to find women with vision and passion. Hopefully our Cineforum will help uncover them – or even help them discover themselves.”

In 2007, Jobeda Ali established Fair Knowledge in 2007, a company that specialises in nurturing and promoting fresh new voices from usually marginalised communities and broadcasting them to mainstream audiences.

Bringing together a host of award-winning films and prominent speakers, the forum aims to advance the debate about the increasingly vital contribution Muslim women must play in ensuring peace and prosperity in the future.

The films include, “Pray the Devil back to Hell” – the multi-award winning festival favourite that shines a light on the power of grass-roots activism and uncommon heroism; “Lady Kul el-Arab” – the touching portrait of an aspiring beauty queen caught between cultures; and “Thorns and Silk” which looks at four Muslim Palestinian women who take on jobs conventionally associated with men.

Each film will be followed by a debate facilitated by acclaimed women broadcasters.

Speakers include: Sadik Kahn, Minister for Communities and Local Government; Dame Mary Marsh, former CEO of the NSPCC; feminist pioneer and equal-rights activist Imam Dr Taj Hargey; Farrah Pandith, formerly of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the US State Department; Hiba Al-Kawas – opera singer and composer who created what we now know as Arabic Opera by combining Oriental and Arabic music with classical music.

Mentoring and leadership training
During the event, 80 mentoring slots from Mosaic mentoring, the Prince of Wales’s charity, will be available for delegates. Leadership skills training will also be provided in the form of exclusive workshops. Workshop topics include: Creating Influence and Impact; Media training; Image and Presentation and the Power of Public Relations. Lastly, a live-link up to Hollywood will allow aspiring film-makers to discuss how to pitch a film.

Booking
To book your place, visit the event’s website It takes place on 30th March 2009 at the Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ. It is a full day event that begins at 9.00am on March 30, 2009 and ends at 5.00 pm. Full day tickets are £82. Half-day tickets are £41. There is also a “Sister Scheme” that allows two delegates to come for £102.50.