On June 9, 2011, CAIR-WA staff and members of our speakers' bureau chatted with a class of more than 45 sixth grade girls at Seattle Girls' School (SGS). The event came about after SGS teacher Kate Peterson contacted CAIR-WA hoping to have a group of local Muslims speak to the class in hopes that the students would not form negative stereotypes about Islam after reading the book, I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced. The story is the autobiography of a Yemeni girl named Nujood who is illegally married to a much older man at the age of nine, but successfully files for divorce with the help of lawyer.  

CAIR-WA speakers' bureau members, Maryam Marshall, Angelique Godley, and Amal Eqeiq sat in a circle with the girls, briefly introduced themselves and then answered questions by CAIR-WA Community Outreach Coordinator Abigail Stahl who acted as a moderator.  This was followed by many more questions from the students.  Angelique elaborated on her time spent in Yemen teaching and the various cultural practices she saw there, as well as the diversity of Muslims worldwide. Following Angelique, Maryam touched on her perspectives of empowerment for women and girls inherent in Islam, her personal experiences as a Muslim woman, and encouragement of the girls to seek support to ensure their own empowerment. Finally, Amal provided an opportunity for the girls (many of whom were eager) to practice putting on a hijab as she talked about her background growing up in Palestine.  

The students had many questions about appropriate Muslim dress, modesty, and Muslim classmates they had had at other schools. Even with a brief Islam 101 quiz at the end, there were so many questions from the students that the hour long discussion ran over time. CAIR-WA staff and volunteers always enjoy opportunities to educate and dialogue about Islam in schools, universities, and other settings.