We refuse to accept this terrifying status quo. 

Our new solidarity campaign, #OurChoiceNotYours, stands for women’s freedom across the world. Over the next weeks and months, we will be mobilizing diverse women to change the conversation and protect freedom of expression.

What is the #OurChoiceNotYours campaign doing?

1. Peaceful Solidarity Demonstrations

We will organize diverse women in peaceful demonstrations of solidarity in public spaces. We have already travelled to the beaches of the French Riviera to directly challenge the bigotry of the burkini ban. This social action will be replicated in dozens of cities across the world to support women of faith having the freedom to choose how they dress and express their faith.

2. Advocacy

We will circulate op-eds, petitions, and letters targeting institutions and governments that marginalize women. We will build our voices against isolation, mistreatment, and violence towards Muslim women or women of any faith. We will engage media and policymakers around strengthening civil rights and public safety for all. Together, we have the power to change our laws and norms to practice the freedom that we preach.

Read Asma Uddin's op-ed in The New York Times. Photo Credit: The New York Times.

3. Education

We will not let history repeat itself by staying silent. We will remember that it wasn’t long ago when Jews in Germany over the hot summer were prohibited from going to the beach, then came the park, then school, then owning businesses and we all know the rest of what happened. We will come together to tell the world what happens when hate, distrust, and violence targets one group. We will educate about core values and traditions of Islam. We will educate on statistics and trends of violence and hate crimes. We will connect diverse communities to increase comfort and familiarity with different faiths and cultures. 

4. Storytelling

There are numerous untold stories of women being harassed and targeted for who they are and what they look like--and we want to hear them. Share your story and become part of the campaign! Post your story on social media under the hashtag #OurChoiceNotYours. A special digital episode of #CrossRedLines hosted by Manal Omar will profile several of our women leaders about their experiences and what inspires them to act. And altMuslimah.com will publish some of your stories, too!

Laws like the burkini ban exist across the world in many societies, but violence and hate does not start or end with legislation. Oppression is normalized by how we treat each other. It is hateful to some of us, but impacts all of us. When one of us is hurt, we are all hurt. That is why we are coming together in unity as women of faith to declare our commitment to women's rights and religious freedom.

The Women Behind the Campaign

We are three women who are joining forces and lead initiatives as diverse as: 

• Safina Fellowship, a fellowship program for Muslim women to explore in depth Islam's teachings on gender and sexuality; 
• altMuslimah.com, the first and only web magazine delving into all things gender-and-Islam;
• Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, a coalition of Muslim and Jewish women joining forces to fight negative stereotyping and prejudice.
  

Join the Movement!

Donate and then get 5 of your friends or family members to donate as well.

Amplify the campaign via email, Twitter, or Facebook today by using the LaunchGood sharing tools above.

Share your stories and experiences facing and/or fighting hate. Tag it with #OurChoiceNotYours. Submit it to altMuslimah.com for publication.