Blessing in disguise!  That's how ALNISA started.  From a negative article about Islam, an idea was created. The year was 2003. Candy sent a text message to me to check out a June 2003 article in TIME magazine.  I can still remember the magazine cover—a hand holding a golden cross with the feature article "SHOULD THE CHRISTIANS CONVERT MUSLIMS?"

The article talked about undercover female missionaries wearing burqa/hijab—pretending to be Muslims—deployed primarily in Muslim countries to preach about ISLAM in a distorted way.  They target young girls with the aim of changing their faith.  Here are just some of the things they preach:

Jesus arose from the dead and is alive. Muhammad is dead.

Islam is a religion in w/c God requires you to send your son to die for him. Christianity is a faith in w/c God sends his son to die for you.

Islam is the terrorist. Muslims are victims.

We pray that the weapon of mass destruction, ISLAM be torn down. Lord, we declare that your blood is enough to forgive every single Muslim. It is enough.

After reading it, Candy and I exchanged reactions and seriously discussed what to do about it. We thought of writing to the author. We were very upset and angry!

I was thinking of defending ISLAM particularly the women of Islam in this country since there is a possibility that they will soon become the target of this people.  I wanted badly to disseminate information about their plans because I know that only few knew about these things. I was thinking of educating the Muslim women in this country regarding ISLAM. Then, an idea hit me: Why not create an organization that will address these concerns?

Since we were just students at that time, I thought it was easier to start with friends, classmates and schoolmates. I talked to Gee about this and asked her help in formulating the vision, mission and objectives of this organization. After several weeks of brainstorming and arguing, ALNISA: Women of Islam was born. And, on September 7, 2003, our organization was formally launched at Silangan Park, Marulas, Valenzuela City.  Alhamdulillah!