Muslimah Today, Durban’s only conference for Muslim women, takes place on Saturday 29 August, 9am-4.30pm, at the NMJ Islamic Centre. Speakers include author Shubnum Khan, former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool, and Zohra Sooliman, co-founder of Gift of the Givers.
For nearly three decades, Zohra Sooliman has quietly dedicated her life to serving others through compassion, advocacy and humanitarian work. As the co-founder of the Gift of the Givers Careline, she has helped provide psychological support to countless individuals affected by disasters, conflict and personal trauma, while also championing the rights of Muslim women through her work in Muslim Personal Law.
At this year’s Muslimah Today conference, Sooliman will share the powerful story of the psychological interventions Gift of the Givers has implemented to help children in war-torn Gaza cope with unimaginable trauma. Ahead of her appearance at the conference, we sat down with her to discuss the importance of emotional healing, justice, family, and finding strength through service. The Springfield Weekly Gazette (SWG) had an exclusive interview with Zohra Sooliman (ZS) on her journey.
SWG: You co-founded the Gift of the Givers Careline in 1997 — what made you realise counselling support needed to be part of a disaster response organisation?
ZS: We recognised that disasters leave emotional scars long after the immediate crisis has passed. Providing counselling alongside practical aid ensures people receive the psychological support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
SWG: The Careline is in its 29th year. How has it grown since you started it?
ZS: It has grown from a small volunteer initiative into a nationally recognised psychosocial support service responding to disasters, crises, and community needs. While our reach has expanded, our commitment to providing compassionate, accessible mental health support has remains unchanged.
SWG: You’re an active member of the Muslim Personal Law network, advocating on divorce, maintenance, inheritance and polygyny. Why is this important to you?
ZS: In South Africa, Muslim women navigate both the country’s legal system and Shariah (Islamic) law, yet only civil law is legally enforceable. Our advocacy seeks to bridge this gap by aligning the strengths of both legal frameworks without compromising Islamic principles. The goal is to ensure that women are protected and that justice is accessible in matters such as marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, and polygyny.
SWG: With five children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren, how do you balance such a demanding career with family life?
ZS: It’s a constant balancing act, and I don’t always get it right. My family is my source of strength, and I keep grounded by making time for meals, celebrations, and our grandchildren’s milestones. My children’s love, care and support making it all possible.
SWG: What do gardening, reading and walks in nature give you that your work doesn’t?
ZS: They give me stillness and peace. They allow me to slow down, provide the space to reflect and recharge, and reconnect with myself so I can continue serving others with renewed energy.
SWG: At Muslimah Today you’ll be speaking about psychological interventions GOTG has implemented to help children in Gaza deal with trauma. What impact do you hope your presentation will have on the conference attendees?
ZS: I’d like to create greater awareness of the profound psychological impact of conflict on children and the importance of early trauma intervention. And I hope to encourage the attendees to become advocates for healing and meaningful action for these vulnerable populations.
Tickets to the Muslimah Today Conference are R250 until the 31st of July, and R320 thereafter. Pensioners’ and students’ tickets are R220. Tickets include lunch, refreshments, stationery and a goodie bag. A limited number of sponsored tickets are available for financially disadvantaged women.
Please visit www.ilmsa.co.za/MT for bookings. Queries may be WhatsApped to 0670568975.
