The Journal
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RI'AYA:
Documentary
Sep 2026
The People of Al-Mujadilah
RI'AYA:
Every woman can be a steward
Unravelling the Weight
The women who built Al-Mujadilah and those who found their way here reflect on a mosque designed around women's presence, their questions and their faith.
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Editorial Pick
Some of what happens at Al-Mujadilah is never spoken aloud, like the quiet courage it takes to return to one's faith and the friendships that make that return possible. 'Hayya' offers a window into that unspoken journey, while 'The People of Al-Mujadilah' gathers the voices of those who found their way here and those who built it. Together, they show what grows when companionship, comfort, dialogue, and trust are given room to take root.
A documentary film developed collaboratively from the shared personal archives of filmmakers Nabila Rouabah and Julia Led.
The women who built Al-Mujadilah and those who found their way here reflect on a mosque designed around women's presence, their questions and their faith.
Selected Writings
Discover the possibilities of the written word with these pieces.
A letter to Hajar written during Hajj, reflecting on her faith, her abandonment in the valley, and the Hajars of the world today.
There's a narrative that says women should care for children and families, and somehow that's supposed to keep us at home. But Ri'aya taught me to ask: what if caring for the next generation means building the systems that will guide them?
An honest first‑person reflection on divorce, cultural expectations in traditional Southeast Asian societies, and painting through grief.
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