SWO Project leaders meets annually to discuss project goals, successes and needs and to revisit with long-time friends.

SWO Projects

Domestic Violence Prevention Research Project: August, 2005 The group, organized by the SWO,  met August 2005, San Francisco, California to review the research survey conducted by Sheida Safari exclusively for this meeting. Participants included:  Nahid Angha, Ph.D. Hamaseh Kianfar, Samira Nikaein, an attorney, Leili First, Amineh Pryor, Ph. D.,  Soraya Clow, Samira Behjat, and Sheida Safarisamani, who gave us the following report: I had the opportunity to conduct research on domestic violence for the Sufi Women Organization. The research was presented at the August meeting of the Sufi Women's Advocacy Committee. I met many families most of which were surprised that someone cared about this subject and wanted to create a forum open to immigrant parent/children discussions. In my research I detail the daily struggles of parents, teens, the elderly and couples transitioning into the American culture from Iran. Many parents I spoke with want to respect and be respected, and cared or. Parents want to know how to deal with their children and spouses as they are growing up in a completely different culture. In many cases, it seems that when the cultures collide, the children and parents struggle to communicate and be respectful of one another. Overall, I think we need a community gathering for teens and parents to come together to discuss how to accept a new culture and respect the old culture. We need to support one another to walk through difficult times together. Hopefully with the support of Dr. Angha and SWO we will be able to help our community. Beyond Religious Discrimination: Unveiling the Myths of Islamic Women Overview: SWO is considering a conference that will be of interest to various faith communities and educators. We will consider holding this conference for: networking and strengthening our connections, exploring the importance of women's beliefs and ways, to present the strength of Sufi and Muslim women to our communities, understanding and building women's vitality in spiritual life, building and educating for egalitarian humanity, to follow on from the SWO 1997 "Women's Wisdom: Women in Action" conference, and for recognizing women's value and leadership. We will sponsor an exhibit of veils and scarves from women around the world. We plan to sponsor this exhibit in other cities throughout the world to familiarize people with veils in Islam.  Program Committee includes: Dr. Angha, Ms. Hamaseh Kianfar, Leili First, Dr. Hammerle, Dr. Pryor, Halima Joann Haymaker, Ms.Roberta Swan, Susan Ferdowsali, Munir Hedges, with cooperation with the Sufi Women Organizations's Chapters around the world, including Egypt and Indonesia. Cross Cultural Research Study As a follow up to our last roundtable discussion, held February, 2005, "Prevention of Domestic Violence Educational Roundtable" that has been an active discussion since 2003, on the weekend of July 16, 2005, a few of us including Dr. Angha, Hamaseh Kianfar, Leili First, Samira Nikaein, an attorney, Dr. Amineh Pryor, Soraya Clow, and Samira Behjat, Zaheda Baruti, and others met with new participants from San Jose and the South Bay area in South San Francisco to review a possible research program, a cross cultural study, on Middle Eastern families who immigrated from their lands and now are living in the US. Campaign against Rape During War SWO, the members of the civil societies, witnessing the violence during war time committed against women, and thus disabling not only these most important nurturing members of our human family, but also their children and families, are asking every government of the civil societies to acknowledge rape during war, whether civil or international, to be treated as a war crime punishable by international law.
Open Letter Project SWO International Chapter leaders and members drafted an open letter to political, social, and religious leaders, calling for the universal application of basic human rights.		Prison Project Members of SWO have organized several series and workshops to foster personal growth, healing and transformation of female prison inmates in local and national prisons and jails.
Online Dialogue SWO maintains a dialogue, with active members from every continent. We share stories, opinions, concerns, and the occasional recipe! Friendships form that transcend culture and philosophy.		United Nations Project The work of SWO United Nations Project focuses on acknowledging the significance of life and the value of peace for humanity. Many of our UN projects help foster coexistence through understanding.
Resource Libraries SWO has established a series of Resource Libraries that benefit needy organizations dedicated to working with disadvantaged children and mothers. Our current project serves tutors working with young mothers.		Literacy Project Sufi Storytelling and Children's Literacy are combined in a special program: presenting stories of Sufi Wisdom that promote wise judegement and self-esteem in children with a free selection of children's books.

 

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