“Shehzori House” Inaugurated at Women to Women Forum’s 5th Annual Women’s Conference to Support Destitute Pakistani & South Asian Women in New Jersey
"Shehzori House" Inaugurated at the 5th Annual Women's Day Conference in New Jersey and has been operational since December 2022
By Mohsin Zaheer
Keeping in view the idea of a strong and dynamic role of women in Haseena Moin’s famous drama “Shehzori House” aired on Pakistan Television in the 70s, a shelter named “Shehzori House” has been created for the needy Pakistani and South Asian women in New Jersey.
The “Shehzori House” was inaugurated on the occasion of the fifth annual women’s conference organized by Nusrat Sohail, the founder and president of “Women to Women Forum,” a representative organization of women of the Pakistani American community. The famous actress Neelofar Abbasi, who played the role of Shehzori in PTV’s drama, along with Consul General of Pakistan Ayesha Ali, New Jersey State Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider (D), Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley (D) and Nusrat Sohail of the forum, inaugurated the shelter.
“Shehzori House” is a transitional home specifically designed for destitute South Asian and Muslim women and their children, with the aim of not only providing them with assistance but also empowering them to become self-reliant. According to Nusrat Suhail, the shelter has been operational since December 2022.
The annual women’s conference was held as usual on the occasion of International Women’s Day every year, in which women leaders and members from different walks of life of the Pakistani and Muslim American community participated. During the conference, Consul General Ayesha Ali, New Jersey State Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider, Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley and other speakers paid tribute to the establishment of “Shehzori House” for destitute women in New Jersey.
The conference also organized a special discussion on the role of women, which was moderated by Raheela Firdous. The speakers paid tribute to the services of Pakistani-American Nasir Abbasi, Captain at Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Heba Alateek, a Muslim-American detective who wears a hijab in Jersey City, and Lt. Kamil Waraich of Asbury Park Police Department.
Anila Ali (Interfaith and Women’s Empowerment Leader), Neelofar Abbasi (Senior TV Artist), Police Lieutenant Kamil Waraich (Asbury Park Police Department), Sajida Arshad (Community Organizer), Huma Khan (Event Planner and Community Organizer), and Farhana Mateen (Social Worker) were honored with “Neighborhood Heroes Awards” for their services. Consul General Ayesha Ali, New Jersey State Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, and Nusrat Sohail presented the awards.
Nusrat Sohail said that the “Women to Women Forum” organizes a “Women Conference” every year on the occasion of International Women’s Day, and this year marked their fifth conference. She invited all women to come together on the platform of “Women to Women Forum” and play their role for individual and collective development. Nusrat Sohail, along with “Women to Women Forum” members, played key roles in organizing the conference.
