About Us
The Asiyah Women’s Center is an emergency center in New York City addressing the gap of appropriate residential services for the Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, South Asian (AMEMSA) and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) populations.
Our Story
The United States is home to 3.45 million Muslims. New York City Muslims account for 23% of this number and come from all walks of life– 20% are Black, 15% are Arab, and 10% are South Asian. And on average, 1 out of every 3 American Muslim women experience intimate partner violence. There is a dire need for resources designed to help this specific population. Currently, the Asiyah Women’s Center is the oldest and largest center that can accommodate the holistic needs of domestic violence victims who identify with the AMEMSA or BIPOC population in New York City.
In the years since our founding in 2018, we have assisted over 1000 women and families, 94% of whom identify with the AMEMSA or BIPOC population. The Asiyah Women’s Center is well-equipped with the culture competency capacity to provide our diverse clientele with the services they need.
Meet the Team
Dania Darwish
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(she/her/hers) is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Asiyah Women's Center. Dania has held roles and leadership positions at Amnesty International, UN Women, the Muslim American Society, the Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and the New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Prior to her employment at the Asiyah Women’s Center. Darwish completed missions in Greece, Turkey and Lebanon to expand medical and dental care to over 10,000 refugees in over 35 refugee camps. Darwish completed her B.A. in Political Psychology, Business, and International Relations at the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies and her MSc in Human Rights at the University College London.
Ratha Ali
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Ratha (she/her) is dedicated to supporting domestic violence survivors, focusing on housing needs. With a background in Sociology and nearly five years of experience in NYC, she combines compassion and organizational skills in her role as Operations Manager, driven by her belief in community and survivor resilience.
Zahra Omairat
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Zahra (she/her) is passionate about using storytelling to inspire social change, particularly raising awareness of domestic violence. With a background in strategic messaging, PR, and digital media, she drives impactful communication and advocates for the AMEMSA/BIPOC community.
Salma Salim
SOCIAL WORKER
Salma (she/her) oversees the intake process, shelter residents, mental health programs, and the overall shelter operations. /with five years of experience supporting low-income BIPOC and South Asian communities, she is deeply committed to advocating for vulnerable populations. In addition to her role at the Center, she is a part-time psychotherapist, actively working toward gaining her Clinical License. Salma holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Hunter College and a Master’s in Social Work from Adelphi University. She is passionate about empowering women and supporting them on their journey toward independence, drawing on her extensive experience in mental health and community support.
Adla Ramawi
KHALTO IN RESIDENCE
Adla (she/her) is a cherished Palestinian American mother and friend, deeply dedicated to supporting Asiyah Women’s Center. She manages groceries, connects with residents, waters plants, and plans birthday celebrations, bringing warmth and care to the entire community.
Ameera Opeissy
KHALTO IN RESIDENCE
Ameera (she/her), originally from Syria with deep roots in Brooklyn, Ameera is a vital part of Asiyah Women’s Center. She supports residents by translating at appointments, maintaining the office, and managing the shelter, ensuring the center runs smoothly and effectively.