Dear Readers

Being empowered is an honour. It is something to cherish.

Using the power within us to create positive changes in the world creates a ripple effect that can impact others for a long time to come.

Datin Norela of Malaysia empowers her university students with real-life situations. She helps them apply their entrepreneurial skills to solve social and environmental challenges – such as those faced by poor farmers who struggle to break out of the cycle of poverty.

Along with many other respectable accolades, Irshad Manji was once recognised for her ‘audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction’. Inside, Irshad tells us that words that inspire are no longer enough to effect change. She believes that people must seek the tools to take action. This is just one way that Irshad empowers others with her chutzpah.

I’m sure many of you have heard of the reality television series All-American Muslim. It followed Muslim families in Dearborn, Michigan just doing their thang: being mothers and fathers, doing their jobs, solving problems at home and discussing various issues with one another. Although its network, TLC, recently cancelled it due to ‘low ratings’, we liked the concept enough to dedicate a fashion shoot to it.