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IAR Women’s Committee
For years, the sisters of IAR have organized classes, Friday gatherings, conferences, and Eid celebrations for our community. Whether you’re new to Raleigh or have prayed here for decades, there’s a place for you.
Our Mission
To nurture the faith, knowledge, and wellbeing of the women of our community, to build a sisterhood rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, and to serve IAR and the wider Triangle with excellence.
Weekly classes in Tajweed, Qur’anic Arabic, purification of the soul, and fiqh — taught by and for sisters.
Friday evenings, halaqas, and social gatherings where sisters of every background find friendship and support.
Welcoming sisters during Ramadan and Eid, and organizing festivals and events for the whole community.
Activities for young children while mothers learn, so every sister can take part.
Our Sisterhood
Our History
The Women’s Committee has long given the sisters of IAR a place to learn their deen, support one another, and bring their gifts to the service of the masjid.
Its work grew into a full weekly program — six or more classes each week, a Friday Night Program for Sisters with a children’s room for ages 3 to 7, and practical workshops from computer skills to gardening. Committee volunteers took on the care of the sisters’ musallah during Ramadan and the sisters’ areas at Eid prayers.
In 2009 the committee hosted its first conference, on the rights and responsibilities of Muslim women, and led two community Eid celebrations that year — an Eid al-Fitr festival on campus and a community-wide Eid al-Adha celebration at Dorton Arena.
Know our founding story? Help us complete this history — share names, dates, and photos with the committee.
Founding year and founding members to be confirmed.
The committee’s first conference, dedicated to the rights and responsibilities of Muslim women.
More than 300 people attended, made possible by about 40 volunteers.
The sisters took the lead role, working with other committees on food and games.
Recent milestones to be added by the committee.
Projects
From weekly classes to community-wide celebrations, here is how the committee serves.
An evening of learning and fellowship: an Imam’s class with Q&A, Tajweed and memorization, a sisters’ halaqa on Seerah and hadith, and crafts like crocheting and sewing.
Children ages 3–7 have their own activities in the play room.
Six or more classes each week, including Tazkiyat-un-Nafs (purification of the soul), Tajweed in English and Arabic, Qur’anic Arabic, and fiqh Q&A sessions.
ESL, fitness, and other classes offered as interest allows.
Volunteers care for the sisters’ musallah during Taraweeh so sisters can pray in peace, and help organize and guide the sisters’ areas at Eid prayers.
Volunteers needed every Ramadan.
The committee’s first annual conference, bringing sisters together to study what Islam teaches about women’s rights and responsibilities.
A community festival on the IAR campus celebrating the end of Ramadan.
300+ attendees · about 40 volunteers
The sisters took the lead in organizing a community-wide Eid celebration, working with other IAR committees on food and games.
Hands-on sessions in computer skills, yoga and fitness, gardening, flower arrangement, and cake decoration.
Language classes offered as the community needed them, helping sisters settle into life in the Triangle.
Honoring Women in Islam
The Qur’an and the Prophet ﷺ placed kindness toward women at the center of a believer’s character.
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
“And live with them in kindness.”
Surah An-Nisa · 4:19
The most complete of the believers in faith is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women.
The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best of you to my wives.
A man came to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ and said, “Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?” He said, “Your mother.” The man said, “Who is next?” He said, “Your mother.” The man said, “Who is next?” He said, “Your mother.” The man asked for the fourth time, “Who is next?” He said, “Your father.”
He who brought up two girls properly till they grew up, he and I would come together on the Day of Resurrection.
…and he interlaced his fingers.
Volunteer
Every class, gathering, and celebration on this page happens because sisters give their time. Whether you can help once a year or once a week, there’s a role that fits.
Volunteer sign-up
Send us a short note with your interests and when you’re available. A member of the committee will be in touch.
Email the committee to volunteerDonate
Your gift keeps classes, children’s activities, conferences, and community events running for the women of IAR.
Give securely
Donations to IAR are made on IAR’s secure giving page.
Go to secure givingJoin the Sisterhood
Come to a Friday evening, sit in on a class, or lend a hand at our next event. Questions? The committee would love to hear from you.
Coming up
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Daily iqamah is the same at both campuses. Jumu’ah speakers differ — check the campus tab.
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Monthly prayer schedule