215474_01-64.qxd:IH
6/11/10
12:35 PM
Page 42
COVER STORY mestic violence among, South Asians and Middle Easterners. It features caseworkers fluent in Urdu/Hindi, Gujrati, Arabic, Bosnian, Serbo-Croatian, and Spanish. As the economy shrinks and jobs are lost, domestic tensions escalate and some previously stable families fall victim to violence. “We have to turn away over 400 women and children seeking shelter every year,” said Dr. Mohammad Hamid, cofounder and chairman of its Capital Campaign to raise funds for a new domestic violence shelter. “Hamdard will be able to offer clients more beds, more space, more opportunities, and more services, including indoor and outdoor play areas for children.” ^ ZAM’s Hope: Zehra Quadri turned a personal tragedy into redemption for other survivors. Working through the social stigma of divorce and making ends meet for her two pre-teen daughters and herself, she began to offer previously unavailable services to South Asian women and families, especially on Chicago’s north side, from her home and using her own resources and her daughters’ help.
42 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
In Aug. 2000, she founded and incorporated ZAM’s Hope as a not-for-profit. Originally created to assist primarily low-income South Asian immigrant women and their families adjust to life in the area, it provides emergency assis-
tion’s “Chicago 2006 Immigrant Achievement Award.” ^
Muslim Women Resource Center:
In 2003 Sima Qureshi founded the Muslim Women Resource Center (MWRC; www.mwrcnfp.org) in Chicago’s Rogers
Knowing that collaboration is key and that actions, not just intentions, change situations, RAP has brought together Muslim, Christian, and Jewish individuals and organizations to help refugees. tance, after-school care, citizenship support, economic empowerment, family support, and cultural preservation services. Later this year, it will launch Chicago’s first halal (soup) kitchen. Presently, Quadri works for Cook County and serves at ZAM’s Hope as president. “I commend Zehra’s humanitarian spirit that encourages individuals to become more active and involved in their communities,” said Illinois governor Pat Quinn in 2003. Quadri was honored with the American Immigrant Law Founda-
Park/West Ridge neighborhood. In her capacity as its director, she works with immigrant and refugee women and their families. While ZAM’s Hope helps clients learn to swim rather than sink, MWRC assists them to build on that foundation through several programs: the Immigrant Family Resource Program; Women, Infants, and Children; the New American Initiative; Job Training Economic Development; Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; Youth Empowerment Services; and the Internship Program.