Source: The Post
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060608/LIFE/606080384/100
On June 8, 2006 The Post reported, "When Mason resident Shakila Ahmad and her Muslim friends heard about the deadly bombings on London's public transport system last July, they knew they wanted to do something. 'A number of us mothers felt like we needed to get out of this helpless stage and take a pro-active role in terms of having our voices heard,' said Ahmad, co-founder of Muslim Mothers Against Violence, an initiative of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. The group was formed in the aftermath of the London attacks to promote peace through dialogue. 'We want the voices of mothers and everyday Muslims to be heard, versus those of the extremists or anyone in the media who wants to play on negative stereotypes,' she said. Ahmad and Dr. Saba Chughtai, also a founder of MMAV, will join voices with MUSE, Cincinnati's Women's Choir, in a 'teach-in' at 7 p.m. Saturday preceding MUSE's annual spring concert at New Thought Unity Center, 1401 E. McMillan St. in Walnut Hills. The concert, to be led by MUSE artistic director Catherine Roma, begins at 8 p.m. The same concert can be heard at 8 p.m. Friday, also at New Thought Unity Center, with a 7 p.m. 'teach in' by peace activist Cindy Sheehan. Guest artist both nights is singer-songwriter Holly Near. Chughtai, a practicing psychiatrist, will talk about 'women's roles with regard to peace and the importance and value of that,' said Ahmad. A mother of three who formerly worked in computers at IBM, Ahmad will offer 'personal reflections on being a Muslim, a mother and an American neighbor.'"