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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. …
Read winner story

Publication

People Magazine

Rana Abdelhamid’s Self-Defense Guide Get Home Safe Is a ‘Rallying Cry’

By Carly Tagen-Dye
November 13, 2025
As the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Malikah, Rana Abdelhamid is dedicated to advocating for safety and power for marginalized communities. Nicknamed the “Mayor of Queens," Abdelhamid, 32, has utilized…

Publication

The New York Times

Self-Defense Is More Than a Kick and a Punch

By Rana Abdelhamid
February 12, 2026
I’ve taught self-defense for nearly 17 years, across Queens and the world. I teach from a curriculum I’ve created over the years, grounded in my background in shotokan karate, taekwondo and muay Thai…
“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

By 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 🙏🏻

Publication

CBS News

Queens self-defense class for Muslim women teaches more than just technique

By Elle McLogan
November 13, 2025
At the Malikah Safety Center in Astoria, Queens, Muslim women are learning more than just self-defense. "After 9/11, I experienced a hate-based attack and started to think about my skills as a martial artist, not just as…

Publication

Vogue

Even With a Muslim Mayor, Islamophobia Isn’t Going Anywhere

BY RANA ABDELHAMID
January 16, 2026
Last summer, when I was eight months pregnant, I found myself in the velvet–dark glow of the Beacon Theatre for a comedy show. At one point in the night—put on by Egyptian American comic Ramy Youssef—Youssef pulled…
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