Aziza Abdel-Halim () is an

Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...

ian-

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

academic, teacher, and founder of the Muslim Women's National Network Australia (MWNNA).

Early life and education

Abdel-Halim was born in

, and grew up in

Alexandria Alexandria ( ; ) is the List of cities and towns in Egypt#Largest cities, second largest city in Egypt and the List of coastal settlements of the Mediterranean Sea, largest city on the Mediterranean coast. It lies at the western edge of the Nile ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Her parents were educated, and Abdel-Halim gained a university education. Abdel-Halim was involved in political causes such as marching for Egyptian independence from colonial

Britain Britain most often refers to: * Great Britain, a large island comprising the countries of England, Scotland and Wales * The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sovereign state in Europe comprising Great Britain and the north-eas ...

, joining the Young Egypt Party, and supporting an independent Palestine. Abdel-Halim's uncle was arrested for criticising President Gamal Abdel Nasser's policies, and physically and psychologically traumatised while in jail. Abdel-Halim migrated to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

in 1970 with her husband and two children.Australian Muslim Achievement Awards 2018
/ref> In 1973, Abdel-Halim began wearing a hijab as a sign of solidarity with other Muslim women and because she wanted to make the statement "I am a Muslim woman. If you want to know about Islam, ask me."

Career

In Australia, Abdel-Halim and her husband taught English, Arabic, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Muslim scripture. She was one of the founders of the Islamic Egyptian Society, and its first vice-president. Abdel-Halim and her husband organised events and projects to support and empower Muslim women and represent their views to media and government organisations, forming the Muslim Women's National Network Australia where Abdel-Halim was president for many years and is currently listed as an Advisor. Abdel-Halim writes on aspects of Islam and the role of women. In 1977, she wrote a chapter in a book discussing the role of women in different religions, ''Deliver Us from Eve''. Abdel-Halim was involved in campaigns to save the multicultural TV channel SBS, to change official forms to use the term 'given name' rather than 'Christian name,' and to let women to wear their hijab for their driver's licence photos. Abdel-Halim was a member of

John Howard John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007. He held office as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. His eleven-year tenure as prime min ...

Muslim Community Reference Group The Muslim Community Reference Group (MCRG) was an advisory body to the Australian federal government, set up by the Howard government, from mid-2005 to mid-2006. The board served to provide the federal government with proposals on strategies and p ...

, where she led the Muslim Women sub-group, to advise the government on issues pertaining to Muslims. She has been described by ''

The Australian ''The Australian'', with its Saturday edition ''The Weekend Australian'', is a broadsheet daily newspaper published by News Corp Australia since 14 July 1964. As the only Australian daily newspaper distributed nationally, its readership of b ...

'' as "Australia's most prominent female Muslim leader". She has additionally held the roles of Chairperson of the Women Movement South-East Asia and the Pacific, Vice President of the Regional Islamic Dawah Council of South-East Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP), and board member of the Council for Australian-Arab Relations. Abdel-Halim wrote ''Did You Know: Refuting Interpretations Concerning The Position of Women in Islam, and Muslim's interaction with non-Muslims'', published in 2008 by the Muslim Women's National Network Australia, and funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship as part of the "National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security". The book aims to address the "misinterpretation and misapplication of Islam as it affects the role, position and rights of Muslim Australian women." It has been distributed across Australia through schools, universities, public libraries, migrant resource centres, government departments, politicians. The book was launched in July 2008 by Laurie Ferguson, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services.

Awards and honours

In 1989, Abdel-Halim was awarded a Member of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

in recognition of her services to the Muslim community, particularly to women. In 2008, Abdel-Halim was the recipient of the "Australian Muslim Lifetime Achiever Award" for more than 25 years of Excellence in Community/Professional service. In 2019, Abdel-Halim was the recipient of the RISEAP Award " in recognition of her invaluable contributions and exemplary leadership over three decades in the service of Muslim minorities in the South East Asia and Pacific region."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdel-Halim, Aziza 20th-century births Living people Australian Muslims 20th-century Australian women educators 20th-century Australian educators 21st-century Australian women writers People from Alexandria People from Sydney Australian women's rights activists Muslim activists Members of the Order of Australia 21st-century Australian non-fiction writers Egyptian emigrants to Australia Year of birth missing (living people)