By Lucy Mawufemor Kpeglo
The Member of Parliament for Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency, Hon. Nasira Afrah Gyekye, has encouraged Muslim women to remain resilient, ambitious, and grounded in faith as they pursue their dreams.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Muslim Ladies Conference (AMLAC) held at the Law Auditorium of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Hon. Gyekye shared her personal journey in politics and urged young Muslim women not to allow doubt or fear to hold them back.
The event, themed “Empowered by Faith: The Role of the Muslimah in Modern Society,” brought together Muslim women from across the Ashanti Region to discuss leadership, empowerment, and the balance between faith and modern life.
Hon. Gyekye, who is also a philanthropist and a member of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians Bureau, used her story to illustrate how faith and perseverance can turn challenges into victories.
“When I began my journey in public life, I faced moments of doubt, times when it felt easier to give up than to persevere. But what kept me going was faith, discipline, and a strong belief that if Allah had placed a dream in my heart, He had also given me the strength to achieve it,” she said.
She recounted how she contested the NDC primaries without any major backing, relying only on personal sacrifice and determination.
“During my primaries, very few people believed in me. I had no political financiers or influential godfathers or mothers supporting me. But I reminded myself that even if the world doesn’t recognise me, Allah does,” she recalled.
Despite being the only woman in the race, she went on to win the parliamentary seat with a landslide victory of over 7,000 votes, a result she described as “a testament to the power of self-belief and trust in Allah.”
Quoting Surah Ali-Imran (3:160), she reminded the audience that, “If Allah helps you, no one can overcome you; but if He forsakes you, who is there that can help you after Him?”
Hon. Gyekye also encouraged the young women in attendance to embrace education, faith, and ambition without fear of failure.
“Your hijab is not a barrier; it is a symbol of dignity. Your education is not just a qualification; it’s a tool for transformation. And your faith is not a limitation; it is your greatest source of power,” she emphasized.
She urged participants to remain steadfast and supportive of one another, stressing that resilience is a lifelong practice.
“Resilience is not a one-time event; it is a lifestyle and the most potent tool for success. When you fall, rise. When you doubt yourself, pray. And when the world says you can’t, look them in the eye and boldly declare, ‘With Allah, I can,’” she said.
In her closing remarks, the MP encouraged Muslim women to continue to dream big, work hard, and uplift one another.
“The world transforms when women rise and take their place, no matter the circumstances,” she added.
The conference ended with a call for unity, mentorship, and empowerment among Muslim women to drive social and economic development within their communities.
