Aisha Fatima Community

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ABOUT US

Aisha Fatima Community is a non-profit organization that aims to create a space for women to build a relationship with their Deen and Muslim culture; catered to and led by Muslim Women.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

MISSION

AFC’s mission is to offer a psychologically safe space where women can raise their concerns, discuss challenges they are facing, and provide and receive guidance on a diverse range of topics relevant to women today.

VISION

We envision a dynamic and uplifting community where Muslim women are armed with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the complexities of womanhood. Our goal is to be a beacon of support, fostering growth and unity through shared experiences and education.  Our goal is to be a central part of a girl’s journey to adulthood, offering multi-generational support and becoming a cherished cornerstone in the upbringing and enrichment of Muslim women’s lives.

ABOUT US

VISION

We envision a dynamic and uplifting community where Muslim women are armed with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the complexities of womanhood. Our goal is to be a beacon of support, fostering growth and unity through shared experiences and education.  Our goal is to be a central part of a girl’s journey to adulthood, offering multi-generational support and becoming a cherished cornerstone in the upbringing and enrichment of Muslim women’s lives.

OUR STORY

From the perspective of Juwairiyah Kholwadia

Aisha Fatima Community’s (AFC) journey – my journey – is one of community, inspired by my Islamic faith. I embarked on a mission to create a space where all women can have easy access to support; catered to and led by Muslim women.

The global pandemic placed a magnifying glass on the unmet need from women who were seeking a space for connection and guidance – a physical, comfortable space – having not had this in their own communities. These women wanted a village and I realized I could make a difference and impact, bringing my lived experiences to address this vacuum. In October 2022, I opened the doors of AFC, welcoming from Chicagoland women of all backgrounds and ages.

Taking care of these women has been an amazing experience. At AFC, we don’t just provide a physical space. We offer a platform where women can gather, share and grow their ideas, questions, and initiatives, catalyzing meaningful connections and embracing their identities and passions.

This spirit of sisterhood is encapsulated in our regular events and programs. Our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing events have welcomed a diverse set of women to explore taboo topics, empowering them to take ownership of deepening their understanding and knowledge.

Each moment of impact, whether a new initiative born out of collaboration, or an insightful conversation, reinforces my belief in the power of generosity and community. I want AFC to be a blueprint for Muslim women across the US. Starting with suburban Chicago, the unique contributions of AFC will not only allow Muslim women to be clear in their Muslim identity and principles, but also how they can, in the spirit of sisterhood, impact others– being inspired by the generosity of the team driving forward AFC.

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Our Name

“Aisha Fatima Community” is more than just a name—it’s a tribute to history, family, and timeless values that connect us all. When we set out to name our community, we wanted something meaningful that would resonate with every woman who joins us, something that reflects our deepest values and aspirations. The names Aisha and Fatima immediately felt right because they represent two extraordinary women whose qualities continue to inspire us.

In Islam, two of the most treasured values are knowledge and piety. Knowledge enlightens and empowers, giving us the tools to grow and contribute. Piety guides our behavior, keeping us connected to our Creator and leading us toward Jannah. These values have shaped our civilization and are embodied by two remarkable figures in Islamic history: Aisha (RA), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, and Fatima (RA), his beloved daughter.

Aisha (RA) devoted her life to learning and teaching, becoming one of Islam’s most respected scholars. She embodies the pursuit of knowledge, essential for personal empowerment and community strength. Fatima (RA), celebrated for her deep piety and compassion, exemplifies the spiritual character we all aspire to. By choosing “Aisha Fatima” as our name, we aim to inspire Muslim women to cultivate both knowledge and piety, seeking a balance that nourishes faith and builds a resilient, supportive community.

On a personal note, “Aisha” and “Fatima” hold a special place in our founder’s heart. These are the names of her grandmothers—Aisha, her paternal grandmother, and Fatima, her maternal grandmother. Naming the community after them honors her family’s legacy, as family itself is central to AFC’s values. In this way, our name pays tribute not only to two extraordinary women of Islamic history but also to the beloved women within our own families who shape our lives. Together, we hope to carry forward their legacy of knowledge, piety, and connection.

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MEET OUR TEAM

Discover the visionaries behind our innovative journey and learn how their expertise drives our mission forward.

ADMIN

Juwairiyah Kholwadia

Madiha Ahmed

Nujaimah

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Aalimah

Aalimah Mehreen Bawla

Aalimah Amina Tirmizi

Aalimah Farheen Farooq

Aalimah Romessa Mirza

Aalimah Sakina Syeda

Aalimah Sabah Memon

Aalimah Sana Moinuddin

Staff

Yumna Baig

Sabryn Nofal

Rabiah Syed


Core Volunteers

EVENT TEAM LEADS

Attiya Farrukh

Yuserah Din

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    Juwairiyah Kholwadia

    Entrepreneur Juwairiyah Kholwadia is the CEO of The Hijab Vault, a Chicago-based boutique specialising in headscarves and accessories established in 2015. She co-founded Aisha Fatima Community in October 2022.

    Madiha Ahmed

    Madiha Ahmed has a background in Psychology and HR.

    Nujaimah

    Madiha Ahmed has a background in Psychology and HR.

    Aalimah Mehreen Bawla

    Usthadha Mehreen Bawla was raised in NY and moved to the suburbs of Chicago more than 2 decades ago. Since then, she has kept herself busy in the work of the deen. Usthadha Mehreen finished The Alimiyya Program in 2020, studying part time under the guidance of female scholars at Zaynab Academy based in Lahore. A wife and mother of four, Mehreen is also a Pharmacist by profession from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She is also the co-founder of a Private Islamic and Hifdh School named Carriers of Light. She strives to help and serve the community with her various talents.

    Aalimah Amina Tirmizi

    Amina Tirmizi was raised in New York and began studying sacred knowledge in 2006 under various scholars across North America. In 2007, she started her spiritual training in Tazkiyah with Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar, a journey she continues today. She earned her degree in Psychology and English in 2008 from Stony Brook University, then traveled to Pakistan to further her Islamic studies. By 2014, she completed the Dars-e-Nizami curriculum and earned her Alimiyyah degree along with a double Masters in Islamic Sciences and Arabic. She spent two additional years specializing in Islamic Law, focusing on women’s matters.

    In 2015, she founded Sumaiyah Institute to teach women classical Islamic knowledge such as Tafseer, and Hadith sciences,  Islamic Law, and Islamic Spirituality. She conducts classes locally and online and delivers talks, focusing on the purification of the heart and connecting people to Allah.  In 2018, she launched Sister’s Islamic Forum on Facebook, an online platform offering Islamic guidance and answering women’s fiqh questions in a timely manner. A mother of five, she recently moved to Chicago, drawn by the strong Islamic community and educational opportunities for her family. She remains committed to  spiritual growth for herself, her family, and her community.

    Fun fact: She needs to have a chai or coffee by her side, loves to travel and explore the Islamic world, a nerd at heart, rides rollercoasters,  reads crime and psychological thrillers, and has a bunch of holes in her ears.

    Aalimah Farheen Farooq

    A native of Chicago, Alimah Farheen is pursuing her graduate studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With a background of a Bachelors in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Loyola University, the next step for Farheen is working towards creating more holistic healing spaces for women and children, empowering them towards sound emotional, nutritional, and spiritual health. Farheen has worked with children for nearly a decade on exploring cultural diversity in food and mindfulness practices and plans to further her work in psychoeducation. Farheen is passionate about Hadith sciences and currently teaches Mishkaat at Zaynab Institute. As a nature enthusiast, Farheen loves to travel and spend time with her family, hiking on mountain trails and scenic landscapes while creating memories with loved ones.

    Aalimiyah degree from Zaynab Academy

    Aalimah Romessa Mirza

    Alimah Romessa Mirza was born and raised in Pakistan. She received her MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Bachelors in Business Administration and Accounting from Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi. Over the years, she has worked with several multinational corporations. Her areas of expertise were brand management and equity research. However, with time, she realized her true passion lies with ilm. In 2013, she left corporate work to focus on classical Islamic learning and pursued the six-year course of Dars-e-Nizami, completing her alimiyyah through Wifaq ul Madaris Al Arabiyya and received ijazah (permission to teach) in various Islamic disciplines such as Tafseer, Hadeeth and Fiqh.

    Currently, Romessa Mirza lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and two adorable kids. She has immersed herself in imparting ilm and engaging in local community work. She began teaching in local Islamic schools, while teaching on-line classes in various Islamic disciplines to aspiring alimaat. She has also been engaged in da’wah work and conducting halaqas to guide women on the spiritual path to become closer to Allah (swt).

    Aalimah Sakina Syeda

    Alimah Sakina Syeda was born in Dubai and raised in Chicago. She graduated from the Institute of Islamic Education (IIE) in 2009 with degrees in Islamic sciences, including tafsir, hadith, and fiqh. She also earned her undergraduate degree summa cum laude in English secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University, with endorsements to teach middle school Language Arts and Social Studies. In December 2023, she completed her Master’s in Educational Leadership with a principal endorsement. She currently works for Chicago Public Schools as a District MTSS Specialist in the Teaching and Learning Department. Fun fact: she skipped two grades during her schooling. Besides her role in education, she teaches Islamic classes and halaqas in the Chicagoland area and resides in Chicago with her husband and three children.

    Aalimah Sabah Memon

    Aalimah Sana Moinuddin

    Sana Mohiuddin holds a History degree and a minor in Religious Studies from Texas A&M University and a graduate degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2015 she graduated from Jamia Zainab lil Banaat, Lusaka Zambia, with a degree in Islamic Studies (ijāza in hadith, tafsīr, fiqh, and sīra).

    Born in Canada and raised in Texas, after undergraduate university, Sana moved to Chicago, where she worked simultaneously on her Islamic studies degree and graduate school. Along with her educational pursuits, she volunteered from a young age with various local and national organizations. She worked closely with the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) during high school in both her hometown and on a national level, and chaired the national MYNA conference at ISNA at the age of 17.

    In college, she worked with the Muslim Students Association (MSA) and was the sisters’ coordinator for her university in her final year of undergraduate studies, and volunteered with youth and adult programs after moving to Chicago. She currently works as a female religious scholar for the MCC community in Chicago and runs her own therapy practice, Sound Hearts Therapy.

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