Nasiha Khan
Zohra Sooliman is a co-founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation (GOTG), a world renowned non-governmental organisation that has reached far and wide in response to natural and man-made disasters over the past thirty years. The foundation is equally well-known for its development interventions within South Africa. Sooliman heads the GOTG Careline counselling service that has offered free and confidential psycho-social support to the community over the past 25 years by way of telephone, Zoom and in-person counselling. The GOTG Careline also undertakes education and development in schools and communities. An alumni of the University of KwaZulu Natal Pietermaritzburg campus, she recently graduated with her Masters in counselling psychology. As a passionate pioneer of women empowerment, Sooliman was part of an all women panel of intellectuals at the recent Muslimah Today, Muslim Women’s Conference speaking on the voices of Muslim women in polygynous marriages. Springfield Weeekly Gazette invited her on the couch to delve into the heart and soul of the celebrated philanthropist.
Springfield Weekly Gazette (SWG): In essence, who is Zohra Sooliman?
Zohra Sooliman (ZS): Proudly a Muslim woman, the co-founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, the founder and director of the Gift of the Givers Careline Counselling Service, the wife of Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, mother to four wonderful daughters and a son, and a grandmother to nine delightful grandchildren.
SWG: You are the co-founder of Gift of the Givers, which has attained international recognition for the incredible work done to aid the world’s most vulnerable, what has that journey been like for you?
ZS: It has been a journey of hard work and sacrifice but also many rewards and a great teacher in gratitude and humility. Striving to give hope, respect and dignity to all. Tears of pain for the suffering of others, equally tears of joy when we have been able to offer them something in kind and to see their happy smiles. Most rewarding when you have listened to someone who trusted you with their innermost struggles and you were able to bring back relief on their face and lighten the burden off their shoulders. This journey has been a “work of heart”.
SWG: You spoke at the recent Muslimah Today, Muslim Women’s Conference on the topic of “Voices of Muslim Woman in Polygynous Marriages: A Lived Reality.” Tell us about the importance of highlighting this topic especially in this day and age.
ZS: Polygyny was practised before Islam where men married an unlimited number of women and treated them as mere chattels. Islam came and reformed this practice and it was recommended as a solution to the socio-justice challenges of the time which still holds for current times. Over the centuries various ethnic, cultural and social dynamics have influenced the manner in which polygyny is practiced hence causing tremendous hurt and harm to those directly involved. It is a topic that the Ulema and people including both men and women shy away from discussing. It is something that is still practised and it certainly will continue into the future. Hence through hearing women’s voices about their lived realities, I believe that we can create awareness about the malpractice of polygyny, inform the society, educate them and transform the practice in a way that it mitigates the harm and suffering caused to individuals who are involved in such marriages. Women need to be educated on their rights and men need to be educated on the correct way of practice.
SWG: What do you love most about being a Muslim Woman and how does the values of Islam carry onto the work that you do?
ZS: I declare that I am proudly Muslim and Islam is a way of life and living for me. Islam teaches us that “the best among people are those who benefit mankind” which has been my guiding philosophy.
SWG: You headed the Gift of the Givers care line counselling service for over 25 years, what fuels the passion and dedication that led you to this path?
ZS: My passion has and still is to empower individuals, families and communities. I find that offering psycho-social support to individuals changes their image of themselves. Hope is restored and they reclaim their sense of self agency. I love to see it when people take charge of their own lives which is my motivation to continue on this path.
SWG: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration and what wisdom did they impart to you that you carried throughout the various chapters of your life?
ZS: My inspiration came from my parents and parents-in-law, not any famous celebrities. Each of them made a tremendous impression on me. They taught me the greatest qualities such as hard work, honesty, determination, gratitude, humility and the importance of prayer.
SWG: Your interests include spiritual and positive psychology, give us a taste of what that entails?
ZS: Spiritual psychology is an area that focusses on the soul, that part of an individual that connects to something larger than life and everything within it. It is the self actualisation of the human being beyond the limitations of the mind and has an integral part to play in one’s physical and mental wellbeing. People are socialised to think in disease, illness or something is wrong. They would only go to a psychotherapist if there is a problem. The thinking needs to change. People can attend therapy to enhance the positive qualities in them in a quest to become the best version of themselves. Together spiritual and positive psychology can develop an individual into the best form of Allah’s creation.
SWG: You have recently graduated with your masters in counselling psychology, what does the next chapter in your journey look like from here?
ZS: I have many plans and visions for the future which mostly involve active community engagement at various levels. My passion is to see communities evolve, become empowered and self-sustainable. And as has been thus far, The Almighty will guide that process.
SWG: And lastly, what piece of advice do you have for women out there?
ZS: We women must stand together and lift each other up. We all need that support. Often times we are the ones pushing ourselves down. Let’s use our collective diverse abilities and strengths to make a real difference in the world. The next generation must be inspired and motivated to take the baton and continue this race.
