Women’s Enterprise Hub In England Helps Muslim Women Build New Future

Sparkbrook, 16 Rabi’ul Akhir 1437/26 January 2016 (MINA) – Muslim women who have moved to the UK from France to make new lives for themselves and their families have hailed a Women’s Enterprise Hub (WEH) in Birmingham as a breath of fresh air.

The WEH in Sparkbrook has been operating for the last two months and is already helping to transform women’s lives and give hope to new settlers coming to Birmingham, International Islmaic News Agency (IINA) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Those with business ideas are being helped with start-ups plans, employment, marketing and growth through networking and peer support at this Ladypool Road centre.

Self-contained within the Southside Business Centre, the hub offers contemporary space for ‘hot desking’, using the internet or the chance to rent a business unit.

Algeria-born Kaissa Sahib left Paris for Birmingham almost three years ago and says she and her family have never looked back.

Kaissa, trained as a solicitor in the French capital before starting a family, is now busy launching an organic skincare business with help from the hub, which is helping her to develop her ideas.

“I have found people here in Birmingham to be very warm and friendly people realize we are no different to them.”

One woman, a trained psychologist, whose family is from Congo left Paris for Birmingham recently, told The Voice, “In France many people think you cannot be black and French you have to be white. Because of this, I often had problems working as a psychologist.

Another woman said: “I was amazed when I asked a black woman in Birmingham where she came from and she said, ‘I am British.’ I couldn’t believe it. My daughter, born in France, can only dream of being identified as French. At least here in Birmingham you can say you belong.

“Our children in France do not believe they belong anywhere and we fear for them.

“At this hub we have not only found a place where we can receive business advice and support, but also a place where we can help to build a future for ourselves and our families.” (T/P006/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)