By: Jumana Mascati
The Dawoodi Bohra community of Vancouver hosted a virtual conference on Sunday 13 March to mark International Women’s Day. On this day, the Dawoodi Bohras remember with affection, devotion and respect one of the greatest women in Islam, Moulatona Khadija bint Khuwaylid (A.S), a remarkable businesswoman who, it was said, could trade dust for gold. At Sunday’s conference, three female Dawoodi Bohra entrepreneurs provided inspiring advice to an audience of local women and girls about the challenges they had to overcome to succeed in their chosen businesses.
Mubaraka Doctor,
Mubaraka Doctor, an Early Childhood Educator, has been working with children for 18 years and turned her passion for arts and craft into a successful business, creating felt and foam stories for children. Mubaraka captivated everyone with an amusing story about penguins and colours to promote learning in little children.
Tahani Nezar,
Tahani Nezar, an entrepreneur with a passion for crafts and beautiful items, started crafting for friends and family before turning her hobby into a business. Tahani shared pictures of her beautiful and breathtaking work made out of resin.
Husaina Leila,
Husaina Leila, an IMA Certified Makeup Artist from London School of Makeup, has over 12,500 Instagram followers and a growing clientele from India, the Middle East and North America. Husaina provided a useful session on using simple, natural items such as a potato as part of a daily skincare routine.
Husaina commented, “I did face situations where my expertise was questioned with just one glance at my attire but I did not conform to society’s ideas of how I should look. I believe my rida is my identity and acts as a perfect ‘thinking cap’ for me while I’m at work. For me, it’s all about how you feel. If you exude confidence, the people around you will automatically feel the same.”
