U.S. Muslim women achieving from coast to coast

[KIWI MUSLIM]

U.S. Muslim women achieving from coast to coast

A new book, titled “The Face Behind The Veil”, sheds light on the “extraordinary” lives of Muslim women in the United States by narrating several success stories that often go unreported, according to Reuters.

The book, by American author Donna Gehrke-White, estimates that there are 3 million Muslim women in the U.S., most of whom were able to integrate themselves in the American society.

Despite the increase of anti-Muslim feelings after the September 11, 2001 attacks, “Islam is flourishing with new mosques opening every year," Gehrke-White writes.

"While many American women are pushing for reform within the mosque, they don't give up their faith. In Islam they find solace."

Gehrke-White says that more than 229,000 Muslim women refugees have settled in the United States in the last decade. In the book, she describes how they are eager to improve their lives and their children’s.

"Even these women who were denied the right to read or write in their countries are now eagerly attending classes in the United States for the first time," she writes.

Gehrke-White also found that Muslim women are among the most achieving in the country with thousands of doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors and social workers.

"I found Muslim women achieving from coast to coast. They are leading worldwide humanitarian groups in Washington, presiding over juvenile court in Baltimore, delivering babies in Los Angeles, teaching in Miami and helping the homeless in Las Vegas," she writes.

She cited the success story of law student Zarinah, who has been wearing the Hijab since the sixth grade. "Muslim women were once teachers, scholars, leaders on the battleground and naval commanders," Zarinah tells Gerhke-White.

"I feel our generation and the next generation will be reclaiming that history."

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