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Elisabeth Leonard
Hi my name is Elisabeth Leonard .
I have been a Muslim for almost 2 years mA, and I have never been happier! Before Islam I used to tell everyone I was an atheist but the truth is I had never really researched religion fully enough to make that statement. And as soon as I started looking in to Islam….look what happened mA!!
I have been married for 2 years and my husband and I live together in Gravesend – which is Kent for those of you who don’t know!! Currently no children…but iA watch this space!!
I studied at Greenwich University where I got my BA (Hons) in English lit and my MA by Research also in English lit.
As you can probably guess I’m a passionate reader, I enjoy all the classics and some modern titles too; I also enjoy writing and have written some short stories.
After all those years of studying I blew off some steam by inter-railing through Europe for a month.
I am currently working in the fundraising department of an Education and social welfare charity based in East London, I really enjoy the job as its rewarding, challenging and no two days are the same. During my time there I have organised various fundraising events as well working a lot on the website and e-fundraising.
I love cooking (– although I’m still learning and building up my repertoire!), and I love hanging out my friends and family – my friends would probably consider me to be a bit of a joker but I think its important to laugh everyday iA!!
Since taking my shahada I have been kept very busy researching Islam and constantly finding out new things about the religion.
I love meeting new people with whom I can share and compare my experiences; there is so much we can learn from others and one of the many great things about Islam is that there is so much diversity. I hope that in the future I will become more effective at giving Dawah and propagating the message of Islam – I’m sure that City Sisters is a great place to start iA!
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Habiba Ali
Habiba Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1982. She is a graduate with a degree of International Marketing with French and currently works for a new media agency in the city. Habiba arrived in the UK in 1996 and she has been living with her big family in North London ever since. She joined Islam Channel in June 2007 with the sole purpose of giving something back to the community and more importantly to a medium that works towards her passion of spreading the treasure of Islam.
Up until 2 years ago Habiba's practicing of the deen was heavily based on culture & tradition and not what the Quran & the Sunnah teaches. Having realised her lack of knowledge in what she now calls the integral part of her life, she started to search for the truth with an open heart putting aside all her misconceptions. The journey changed her way life and she never felt so content and fulfilled. She says "It is a beautiful thing when your sole purpose in life is to be the best servant of Allah (swt)".
For dawah purposes she engages in healthy debates with the little knowledge that she has. She thrives to be a good example to those around her in order that they may question the Islamic way of life and ultimately create an interest. She believes that leading by example is the key to reviving the core values of Islam in today's diverse society at the end of the day "Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright".
Habiba's favourite hobby is to travel and experience other cultures; she had the opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Yemen, East Africa and around Europe. In the coming year she intends to commence a part time masters course in Islamic Studies, History or Theology. She also likes reading, cooking and skiing. She is very excited about her new adventure on City Sisters and hopes that the small efforts of the show will somehow revolutionise the perceived image of her Muslim sisters' around the world.
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Anisa Kissoon
I was born into a Christian household but by the age of 5 was convinced that Jesus was not God. As a child I was always searching for the truth.
As a teenager I delved into Catholisism, Mormonism- but nothing really convinced me of the Creator until I came across Abdur Raheem Green in Hyde Park’s Speaker’s corner.
As I listened to him speak about Islam, I was mesmerised by what he was saying and by the end of this talk was convinced that Islam was the truth.
I knew that did not want to die except in the state of Islam and without hesitation went back to some of my Muslim friends and took my Shahadah!
Although I converted to Islam when I was 15, I fully started practising Islam when I was 17.
I first came across Hijama at the age of 26 when I had a treatment done by an Algerian lady. 1 had always suffered severe cramps and tried out Hijama and it completely transformed my life. My pains stopped and I was able to really benefit from the treatment- this then became a turning point in my life and I made it my personal mission to inform and teach people about this forgotten Prophetic practise.
I moved to Egypt where I met a highly qualified therapist. I learned that it was illegal to openly perform Hijama in Egypt despite it being the Sunnah and after under going training, I came back to Britain and started treating people wherever and whenever I could.
It was the CEO of the British Acupuncture Council who helped me get accreditation with the CMA –Complimentary Medicine Association for Hijama. With no help, I took out personal loans and through promotion I was able to get Hijama accredited and became the first accredited Hijama therapist in Britain.
From this September the first accredited Hijama courses are due to start along with Rakhai-fitness courses. I am hoping to bring my own label of organic drinks out for my company Natural Health Natures Finest too!
Although I’m busy with all the these activities as well as home schooling my 3 children, my ultimate objective in life is to open my own orphanage and write books- this is just a means to get there iA!
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Sukina Douglas
Sukina Douglas presents the Creative Soul section of the show where she travels
across the country featuring Muslim women who work within the arts and media.
Based on her love and involvement in the arts, Sukina recognises the power that
art has to break down barriers and feels that it is important to shed light on
the creative Muslim women to a) challenge stereotypes and b) inspire young
Muslimas who want to pursue a career in art and media. She has featured a
Graffiti artist, sacred artist poets and a film maker.
After completing a degree in English literature and Caribbean Studies she
decided that she wanted to pursue a career in Journalism and is currently
studying Newspaper Journalism.
She is also the Assistant Editor of a new Muslim Hip Hop and urban lifestyle
magazine called The Platform Magazine and she also freelances for various
Islamic publications.
Sukina is also part of a Poetry and Hip Hop group Poetic Pilgrimage and has
performed across the country - most recently at Eid in the Square in Trafalgar
Square. She has also appeared on ITV, BBC2, Islam Channel and Al Jazeera.
Sukina is constantly on the look out for creative Muslim women to feature in
Creative Soul so please contact her with any suggestions.
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Halimah Stephen
wa salaam alaykum my name is Halima I have been a revert Muslim for around 2 years. I am one of three revert Muslims in my family
and I live out of London with my 6 year old daughter and husband. 2 years ago I never really had a belief i just went with the flow! It all started when I started thinking deeper about life .... what was life all about? Was it all about going out and material things? I realised THEN I was at a
stage where these things didn't make me feel happy anymore I needed a meaning to life- a belief ! I wanted to know more about God and how the earth was created . I started doing research about a range of religions and Islam stood out way above the rest MA!
That was then the start of a wonderful new life for me and my daughter! As time has gone by I understand more things about Islam. I take one step at a
time inshalla and as Allah said, Take one step towards Me and I will take run towards you - subhanaAllah!
In my spare time, I offer my listening skills to the Samaritans, whilst teaching my daughter the beauty of Islam.
I honestly feel honoured to be part of 'City Sisters' which is such a great dawah project and hope everyone enjoys watching the show as much as I have filming it!
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Ayesha Tariq
The youngest member of the sisters, trying to finding my way in this world! I’m
24 years old and as a graduate from Brunel University I’m still looking for
that ideal job, Insha’Allah.
As a born Muslim I really started practicing Islam for over 2 years now and
Alhamdulillah the Blessings from Allah SWT is definitely evident in my life. My
interest has always been to meet new people from all sorts of backgrounds, this
is a big world so Insha’Allah I have a long way to go to cover everybody! I
enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, also gaining more knowledge
and
depth of Islam which Insha’Allah puts it into perspective that as a Muslim I
have so much to learn and grow. Nobody is perfect is what I say!
Over the years I have been involved in various voluntary groups and work
experiences related to media so now I can bring my two passions together, Islam
and television.
Insha’Allah in the future I would love to travel to see the beauties of this
world and participate in projects which highlight the issues and help needed in
our Ummah. But for now I can only sit back and enjoy City Sisters!
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