HEART was founded in 2009 in Chicago by Nadiah Mohajir and Ayesha Akhtar, after launching a day-long workshop for Muslim mothers and daughters to learn about puberty, sex, and healthy relationships. More people than they ever imagined signed up for the event, which brought together many diverse women and girls with their incredible stories. Many left this space asking for when the next workshop would be and Ayesha and Nadiah began planting the seeds for what ultimately became HEART.
Around the same time, Sameera Qureshi and Sahar Pirzada were having similar conversations in their communities in Calgary, Canada, and Singapore. From developing culturally-sensitive sex education curricula to organizing for more equitable policies around workplace harassment, Sameera, Sahar, and Nadiah ultimately met online, exchanged notes, and began collaborating.
For years, they had heard Muslims covertly share their stories and struggles with sex, relationships, and all too often, sexual violence. They often spoke of not having access to culturally-sensitive information and resources, and many more expressed their fears and apprehension about seeking out existing resources and services because of the shame and stigma associated with discussing sex and sexual violence in their communities. Though very different with respect to race, socioeconomic status, geography, and day-to-day religious practice, these individuals shared something in common: many desired to have greater access to resources and language to think critically about their bodies, sexual violence, and faith and how it all intersects. Often, they navigated these life experiences alone, and in silence.
This silence is unjust and contributes to the gender inequities and violence in our communities. At the root of this silence is decades of systemic oppression: patriarchy, racism, white supremacy, classism, and Islamophobia, which has enabled gender inequities and gender-based violence to continue. As such, HEART was founded to empower individuals with the language, resources, and choice to break through that silence. It seeks to provide a safe space for Muslims to come together—both virtually and physically—to learn about their bodies, exchange health information, and become resources for each other and their communities.
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