On October 22, 2002, Dr. Azizah al-Hibri addressed a delegation of 58 Arab women leaders at Meridian International Center. Dr. al-Hibri’s address explored ways in which American Muslim women could cooperate with Muslim women around the world, and highlighted the fact that Islam is a powerful source of liberation for women. The address was followed by a lively and provocative discussion.

The delegation of Arab women leaders was visiting the United States from October 19 to November 17, as part of a special high profile project conceived by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East Liz Cheney and funded by the Bureau of Middle Eastern Affairs. The main focus of the overall program was to observe the U.S. electoral process and to attend campaign events.