Asra Nomani
Journalist & Author
Asra Q. Nomani is the author of the critically acclaime..
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Full Bio
Asra Q. Nomani is the author of the critically acclaimed Standing Alone in Mecca: An American Woman’s Struggle for the Soul of Islam and of Tantrika: Traveling the Road of Divine Love. A former Wall Street Journal correspondent, Nomani has also written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Time magazine on Islam.
After 9/11, she went to Pakistan to cover the war in Afghanistan for Salon. She risked great danger helping lead the hunt to find kidnapped fellow reporter and friend Daniel Pearl who was visiting her home with his wife Mariane Pearl when he left for the interview from which Muslim militants kidnapped and murdered him. Her character figures prominently in A Mighty Heart, the film based on the life and death of Pearl at the hands of Pakistani militants, starring Angelina Jolie. Nomani also taught “The Pearl Project: The Search for Who Killed Daniel Pearl” at Georgetown University in 2007.
After Pakistan, Nomani returned to her home in Morgantown, West Virginia, to raise her son Shibli. She has become a writer-activist dedicated to reclaiming women’s rights and the principles of tolerance in the Muslim world. Nomani challenged rules at her mosque in Morgantown that required women to enter through a back door and pray in a secluded balcony. As a volunteer at the Rape and Domestic Violence Shelter in Morgantown, Nomani recognized that efforts to bring about social justice include challenging power and control that retaliate with intimidation and abuse.
Nomani is the founder and creator of the Muslim Women’s Freedom Tour. In 2005, she posted “99 Precepts for Opening Hearts, Minds, and Doors in the Muslim World” on the doors of her mosque in Morgantown and organized a woman-led Muslim prayer group in New York City, an act that represented a watershed moment in the history of Islam. She was a visiting scholar at the Center for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University. Her career as an investigative reporter prepared her for a journey in which she has been trying to uncover the true beauty of Islam, hidden behind centuries of manmade rules and traditions. She is committed to seeing hearts, minds, and doors open in the Muslim world as part of a wider vision for world peace.
Born in Bombay, India, into a modern but conservative Muslim family, Nomani came to the United State at age of four and was raised in the foothills of West Virginia.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Paradox of Women in Islam
The Mosque in Morgantown: Dilemmas Facing American Islam
Danny Pearl: The Truth Left Behind
The Fight for International Women’s Rights
Videos
‘You could be the winner for our kids’: Asra Nomani talks parents taking a stand against schools
Asra Nomani Rips Critical Race Theory, Calls It The 'New Racism' In America
Books
News
Testimonials
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