Remembering Sr. Aminah Assilmi

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MSA National-The board of the Muslim Students Association National today offer their sincere condolences to the family of Sister Aminah Assilmi, a renowned community activist, scholar, and lecturer who passed away on March 5, 2010.

Sister Aminah Assilmi was the director of the International Union of Muslim Women, an internationally respected author, an advocate for women's rights, and a renowned speaker on Islam whose presence was felt on many college campuses throughout the 80s and 90s.

During this period, it was unheard of to have a successful Islam Awareness Week event or a lecture on Muslim women, social issues, or on stories of people who became Muslim without inviting Sister Aminah Assilmi to speak. She spoke during many of the MSA National Continental Conferences in the mid to late 90s and it was only her failing health which prevented her to accept many more speaking engagements during this current decade.

Brothers and sisters who were in college during the late 80s and the 90s will recall warm memories of Sister Aminah and her powerful lectures. Despite health issues, Sister Aminah maintained a rigorous schedule of speaking engagements around the nation and the world.

She was instrumental in the U.S. Postal Service's 2001 issuing of the "Eid" stamp, which marks the two main Muslim holidays. Her current project included a Center for Muslim Women's Studies that would serve as a resource center for new Muslims and as a summer camp for Muslim children.

Funeral arrangements are being made through: Click Funeral Home 109 Walnut Street Lenoir City, TN 37771 Tel: (865) 986-8013 Donations are being accepted to offset burial expenses. For more information, visit the web site of the International Union of Muslim Women, http://www.IUMW.org. Any surplus donations will go to continue her work. The International Union of Muslim Women is a nonprofit 501 (C)3 organization.

Remembrances can be sent to IUMW@yahoo.com. Some of these may be published on the web site. For additional information, contact Nadiah Beekun at (775) 762-4905 or e-mail nadiah@usa.com. MSA National Executive Board 2009-2010 P.O. Box 13930 Fairlawn, OH 44334 info@msanational.org www.msanational.org