They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what does it take to raise a village? It takes nurturing, supporting, and empowering the very core of that village: its women.
From seeking education and getting married to raising children and maintaining a career, women are the backbone of our families and communities. When they are supported, the entire Ummah thrives.
One woman who embodies this principle is Hajjeh Abla Kaddous. A community icon, pioneer in Muslim women’s welfare, and recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Hajjeh Abla is the heart behind the Islamic Women’s Welfare Association (IWWA). With over 40 years of service, she has empowered countless women, supported their families, and inspired generational change.
In this article, we distil decades of her wisdom into a practical blueprint for community activism, family building, and Muslim women’s empowerment.
A Legacy of Service: 40 Years and an Order of Australia Medal
Receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia is a significant national honour, yet Hajjeh Abla accepts it with profound humility. “I don’t feel that I deserve all this attention,” she shares. “I’m a very simple, hardworking mother who cares for the community.”
For her, the award is not a personal trophy but a key that opens more doors to serve the community. This service began 40 years ago, first with the Muslim Women Association and for the last 25 years, with the Islamic Women’s Welfare Association (IWWA), which she founded.
The IWWA was born from a specific need. Muslim women from non-Arabic backgrounds felt they were lacking services tailored to them. They approached Hajjeh Abla, seeking an organisation that could cater to their unique needs.
“They insisted that we have an organisation mainly to cater for the non-Arabic speaking Muslim women,” she recalls. The IWWA was established with a powerful, multicultural foundation: its management committee must consist of at least five different nationalities. This ensures that the organisation remains inclusive and representative of the diverse community it serves.
[Insert image of Hajjeh Abla Kaddous receiving her OAM or speaking at an IWWA event.]
From Personal Journey to Community Pillar
Hajjeh Abla’s journey began in a small, multicultural town in Egypt. Raised in a French school and active in sports like competitive rowing, she learned discipline, responsibility, and teamwork from a young age. These character traits would become the bedrock of her future community work.
While she grew up with strong morals, her deep dive into Islam began after moving to Saudi Arabia with her husband. It was there that her knowledge blossomed, sparking a passion she was eager to share.
“It was like a retreat,” she explains. “Whatever I learned, I wanted straight away to share it with other Muslim women.”
Upon returning to Australia, she left her career in accounting and dedicated her life to community service. In the 1980s, a time with few English-speaking female Islamic teachers, she would translate lectures from Arabic overnight and teach them in English the next day. This dedication marked the beginning of her 40-year path in empowering Muslim women through knowledge and support.
Nurturing the Core: A Holistic Approach to Women’s Welfare
Hajjeh Abla believes that mothers are the core of society. When a woman is stable, knowledgeable, and confident, she can stabilise her family, which in turn strengthens the entire community.
The IWWA provides holistic support that addresses spiritual, emotional, and practical needs.
The Power of Islamic Knowledge
A significant portion of the challenges women face, from marital issues to domestic violence, stems from a lack of knowledge about their God-given rights and responsibilities.
“If women know enough about their rights and obligations as a daughter, as a wife, as a mother, she will be in a much, much better state,” Hajjeh Abla emphasises.
At IWWA, the focus is on practical Islamic education that empowers women. By studying the lives of the Prophets and understanding their position in Islam, women gain the confidence to navigate their roles and stand up against injustice, knowing that their faith supports them.
The Art of Mediation: Healing Families
When a couple is on the brink of divorce, Hajjeh Abla often steps in as a mediator. Instead of rushing to separation, she encourages dialogue and problem-solving.
She shares a story of an educated woman who wanted to divorce her less-educated husband after having three children. Hajjeh Abla reminded her, “You accepted him as he is… It’s both your responsibilities now to come down and reason and look at ways of solving your problems.” The couple found a new balance, switched traditional roles to suit their strengths, and saved their family.
Breaking the taboo of seeking help is crucial. Talking to a trusted third party can provide perspective and prevent the devastating consequences of a broken family.
“A strong family will make a strong community. We need to work together to survive and thrive.” – Hajjeh Abla Kaddous
Building the Next Generation: A Blueprint for Strong Families
A strong Ummah is built on the foundation of strong families. Hajjeh Abla provides a clear, actionable blueprint for parents navigating the complexities of modern life.
1. Educate Yourself on Marriage and Parenting
“We educate ourselves so much in worldly knowledge,” she observes, “but the two things we forget to take knowledge of are marriage and raising children.”
Understanding the different ways men and women think and communicate can prevent countless misunderstandings. Likewise, learning effective parenting strategies is essential for raising the next generation of confident Muslims.
2. Teach Islam Through Practice, Not Preaching
True Islamic education is embodied, not just spoken. Children learn by watching their parents. Hajjeh Abla gives a simple yet profound example:
- An uneducated mother might see a child drop bread and throw it in the bin.
- A Muslim mother, however, teaches the child to pick it up, dust it off, say “Bismillah,” and eat it, because the barakah (blessing) could be in that piece.
In that small act, she teaches respect for sustenance, the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ), and the concept of barakah, all without a formal lecture. When mothers embody Islam, their children absorb it as a natural way of life.
3. Reclaim Family Time in a Digital World
The constant presence of screens has fractured family connections. The solution? Be intentional and proactive.
Hajjeh Abla suggests practical strategies her own family used:
- Hold Family Meetings: Discuss everything from the weekly menu to weekend plans. Give every child a voice and a choice.
- Create Tech-Free Zones: Agree on a specific time (e.g., 7-8 PM) for phone use. After that, all devices are put away to encourage real conversation and connection.
- Establish Daily Rituals: Pray a Salah together as a family, or gather after prayers to read and discuss one or two hadith.
4. Nurture Your Child’s Strengths
Not every child is destined to be a doctor or an engineer. The pressure to fit a certain mould can stifle a child’s true potential.
“See what your child is good at and nurture that,” she advises. When you support your children in their strengths, whether in math, art, or sports, they excel because they are pursuing something they love.
For the Modern Muslimah
Hajjeh Abla’s parting advice is a powerful call to action, especially for women who find themselves with more time on their hands.
“I’m calling upon all the widows or the divorcees who have time. Don’t let yourself age by sitting at home and doing nothing. Go out and do something.”
Volunteering in nursing homes, hospitals, or community organisations provides purpose, combats loneliness and depression, and allows you to benefit others. Staying active in service is not just for the community’s sake; it also supports your own physical and spiritual well-being.
The Future is in Our Hands
Hajjeh Abla Kaddous’s life and work offer a timeless lesson: Muslim women’s empowerment is not a side project; it is central to the health, strength, and future of the Ummah.
By seeking Islamic knowledge, building strong families, breaking down taboos, and dedicating our time to service, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that will be felt for generations to come. The work is demanding, but the reward. Both in this life and the next is immeasurable.
How will you contribute to building your village?