Queens Self-Defense Class Empowers Muslim Women with Strength and Sisterhood

Self-Defense Training for Muslim Women

• 🥋 The Malika Safety Center in Queens offers self-defense classes specifically for Muslim women and girls, teaching techniques beyond just physical responses.
• 💡 Founder Ran Abd Hamid, a black belt in karate, was inspired to create the program after experiencing a hate-based attack post-9/11, viewing martial arts as a survival tool.
• 🛡️ Participants practice responding to attacks, such as a hijab grab, gaining confidence and a sense of preparedness.

Building Community and Confidence

• 🤝 The center has grown from a small group to thousands of participants, fostering a community built on shared experiences and sisterhood.
• 🗣️ Many members have faced discrimination in the workplace or bullying in school, finding a supportive environment where they can learn to assert themselves.
• ✅ The training has unlocked new confidence, enabling women to feel empowered to say "no" when they previously could not.

Expanding Skills and Opportunities

• 🧵 Malika has expanded its offerings to include classes like jewelry making and cooking, equipping members with skills to start their own businesses.
• 💪 The goal is to help women feel capable and strong, knowing they have community support.
• ✨ Participants, like Amal Ibrahim, describe feeling like a totally different person after finding their place within the community.

Impact and Resources

• 💖 Despite having a small office, team, and resources, the impact of the center is described as heartfelt and beautiful.
• 🌍 The program is located in Atoria's "Little Egypt" in Queens, New York.