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Building a safer, stronger New York for Muslim and immigrant women

Winner

Rana Abdelhamid

Building a safer, stronger New York for Muslim and immigrant women

Website

malikah.org

Year

2025

Organization

Malikah

Sector

Placemaking & Neighborhoods

Borough

Queens

Rana is building a safer, stronger New York for Muslim and immigrant women.

Born to Egyptian immigrant parents, Rana Abdelhamid’s work is deeply rooted in her commitment to building safety for marginalized communities, particularly survivors of gender-based and hate-based violence. …
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“Rana has built an infrastructure that not only teaches skills but also fosters community resilience, ensuring women have the tools to protect themselves⁠”
Adama Bah
Founder of Afrikana

Publication

Astoria Post

How this anti-violence organization is combating hate and building community in Queens

Taliah Gabriel
All women and girls deserve to feel safe—and thanks to Malikah, many in Queens are beginning to feel more empowered than ever. Malikah is an Astoria-based, women-led grassroots nonprofit dedicated to combating violence…
“We're creating structures of community and joy and advocacy that actually are influencing policy and influencing culture in our community”

Update from winner

Here's what Malikah does
@ranaabdelhamidApril 7, 2024
malikah.org/donate @wearemalikah #queens #nyc

Publication

CNN

Why these Muslim girls are learning how to fight

Rana Abdelhamid founded Malikah, an anti-violence organization, after her hijab was yanked from her head when she was fifteen. In a basement in Queens, New York, she now teaches Muslim girls how to defend themselves from simi…

Update from winner

Rob Martinez Feature
@robmartinezApril 10, 2024
I asked Rana Abdelhamid, founder of @wearemalikah, for her top food spots in Astoria. This list is 100% Halal. Eid Mubarak 🙏🏻
To all winners